…….As the community pour encomiums and described Ikpeazu as a Listening Governor
The people of Lokpaukwu Umuchieze in Umunneochi LGA, Abia State has described Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu as a listening Governor who is rapidly developing the State and changing the narratives through infrastructural developments and provision of basic amenities across the State.
The community made the commendation on Wednesday 7th July 2021 during the inauguration of a Customary Court by His lordship, Honourable Justice Stella-Maris Ururuka-Onyenso, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State, a project facilitated by their son, Hon. Ebere Nwankwo, Esq., the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media.
The President General of Eziama Development Union, Mr Angelo Nwafor and the Traditional Ruler of Eziama Autonomous Community, Umuchieze, HRM, Eze Patrick N. Okafor while speaking at his palace where he received the President of the Customary Court of Appeal expressed delight for the siting of the Customary Court in their community, which they described as a welcome development and a noble step in the right direction.
While thanking the Governor, Dr Ikpeazu for approving the establishment of the customary court in their community, they expressed heartfelt gratitude to their illustrious son, Hon. Ebere Nwankwo for facilitating the project including Hon. Justice Stella Maris Ururuka for creating the enabling environment and ensuring the successful inauguration of the court.
” We want to thank God for making today’s event a reality. We are happy that today, the Governor has remembered this community by approving the establishment of this customary court. This is the first time we are witnessing and feeling the presence of the government in our community and we can’t thank you enough Our Lordship for coming” What has happened today in the community is historical and monumental. It will be recorded in the annals of the history of the community that it was during the tenure of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and Honorable Justice Ururuka that our son, Hon. Ebere Nwankwo was able to attract the establishment of a Customary court in our community”.
” His lordship, you are the highest government official that has ever visited this community in recent times, and we are hopeful that your coming today will bring more light and development to our community. And to you our dear son, Hon. Ebere, we are proud of you for your feats and leaving no stone unturned to bring the community to the map of development”, they added.
The Community while pledging to rally around for support and putting all necessary things needed for the growth and development of the court appealed to her August visitor, to consider their qualified sons and daughter for employment in managing the affairs and administration of the court which they said, will help curb the high rate of employment among their teeming youths.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman, Umunneochi LGA, Hon. Ifeanyi Madu applauded the giant strides of the Okezie Ikpeazu led administration in the State. He described Ikpeazu as a listening Governor who has the interest of the LGA at heart. Hon. Ifeanyi noted that the Governor has never failed to listen and swing into action whenever the need arises and extolled the Chief Executive of the State for working tirelessly in ensuring the safety of Abians and also leading the fight against insecurity in the State, especially in Umunneochi LGA.
The Chief Executive of the Local Government further congratulated the Umuchieze community for this tremendous project. He also lauded Hon. Ebere Nwankwo for his foresight and self-willed attainments which he remarked unprecedented in the history of the community. He concluded by appreciating the doggedness and performances of His Lordship, Honorable Justice Stella Maris since her assumption in office as the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State, adding that his administration will continue to support and partner with progressive-minded individuals and groups who mean well for the LGA.
In his speech, the Project facilitator, Ebere Nwankwo, a legal luminary and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media whose joy knows no bound heartily thanked the Governor of the State, Dr Ikpeazu for the approval and deeming his community fit, for the establishment of the Customary Court.
Hon. Ebere said while the establishment of the court will create employment opportunities for their indigenes, it will also play the role of promoting reconciliation, encourage and facilitate the settlement of any issue in an amicable way and serve as a means of seeking justice and return broken order resulting from an existing dispute which the Court has jurisdiction to try and not aggravated in degree.
“I am happy today that the Government of Ikpeazu has remembered our community for over decades of existence. I want to thank our Kinetic Governor for granting the approval of this court and all the giant strides he has achieved especially his caterpillar revolution in the State. I thank the Governor for all that he is doing to better the lives of Abians and those he is yet to do. I am very hopeful that the Governor is determined to do more for the community”.
Speaking further, “Our community, Umuchieze is blessed with solid minerals and has become the treasure base of the Local Government and contributes greatly to the internally generated revenue of the State at large. The solid minerals have invariably improved the socio-economic development of the LGA and consequently increased its revenue. It may interest you to know that the internal asphalted road, the classroom blocks, the maternal health centres, the giant generator beside the Court premises and the electric poles which have been mounted were all concerted efforts of the community and was made possible by the proceeds from the exploration of the solid minerals and the quarry site company domiciled in the community”.
The Governors Aide used the medium to appeal to the leader of the State, Dr Ikpeazu to come to their aid by connecting the community to the national grid, as they are the only zone in the LGA that are yet to experience electricity. He also pleaded that the Governor should create more access roads that will alleviate the sufferings of the community and enable easy movement of the goods that will further boost the economy and contribute to the well being of the residents.
In her speech, while cutting the tape to formally open the Court for use, the President, Customary Court of Appeal, His Lordship, Honorable Justice Stella Maris Ururuka Onyenso expressed overwhelming joy for the rousing and warm reception accorded to her.
“My heart is filled with joy, this is the first community among other places in the State I have gone to inaugurate a Customary court that has trooped out en masse to welcome us in a grand style. I am happy and for this rare efforts and hospitality, I will graciously grant your requests that are within my powers”. Honourable Justice Ururuka promised to convey the appeals and plight of the community to the Governor, Dr Ikpeazu.
The inauguration ceremony attracted the presence of top government officials, the Traditional rulers, Lawyers, Chiefs, Development Union Executives, youths, men and women while the side attraction was the presentation of gift items to the Honorable Justice Ururuka by the women among others.
