In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, said the people’s Governor would be conferred with the award on Thursday, October 25th 2012 at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu state. The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji (Dr.) Bamanga Tukur would be the Chairman at the award ceremony while former Information Minister, Dr. Walter Ofonagoro is the keynote speaker.
Explaining the choice of the transformational governor, Chief T.A. Orji for the Icon of Democracy award, Dr. Chikamnayo said that the management of Champion Newspapers cited the positive impact which the governor has used his political position to give Abia citizens as well as his unparallel success in restoring democratic ideals in our country as a whole which is evident in his peaceful disposition, consensus building capacity and love for the common masses.
According to Dr. Chikamnayo, some of the major achievements of the administration of Governor T.A. Orji in the state is the restoration of participatory democracy; respect for elders and leaders; liberation of Abia state from the shackles of political enslavement, insecurity, idolatry, economic isolation, and near societal disintegration.
Since no state or nation can make meaningful progress without peace, stability and security, it is to the credit of Governor T.A. Orji that people can now go about their business without fear while Abia which used to be known for kidnapping in the recent past is now adjudged the most peaceful and secure state in Nigeria.
Chief T.A. Orji has also given vent to the actualization of the Urban Renewal and Expansion Programme which has led to so many proactive infrastructural and physical developments like rural and urban roads, housing estates, markets and new public buildings. In the health and education sector, the God-sent Governor has fervently pursued free education in the primary and secondary schools; provided several health centres; ultra modern diagnostic centres; agricultural incentives and an integrated economic stimulation agenda through which the state has been rejuvenated.
Dr. Eze Chikamnayo further said that it was in view of this and many more laudable achievements, added to the fact that Chief T.A. Orji has laid a solid foundation for the future growth of the state that he has been receiving an avalanche of recognitions both at home and abroad. He, therefore, urged Abians to continue to support their darling governor whose meteoric and promising rise is now being acknowledged not just by Abians but by Ndigbo, Nigerians and all well meaning citizens across the globe.
Subsequently, the information boss asked all Abians both big and small to troop out en masse as Ndigbo and the whole nation gives this special honour to a mature, well educated, humane and God-fearing leader whose antecedents, impeccable credentials, experience and divine mandate have become the hope of Ndi Abia, Ndigbo and all men and women of goodwill everywhere.
- The Official Website of Abia State Government
