Eddie Onuzuruike
The Nation Newspapers, the new haven of stone throwers came out with one of most mendacious articles ever written in recent times. It is typical of the proverbial white lies. There was neither focus, nor good arguments except a heap of damn lies and insults.
The inglorious writer on Wednesday November, 19, edition on page 46 to 49 had enough space to list Abia elders and leaders of thought numbering 25, who should have opposed Ochendo but they didn’t. He forgot that these were men chased away like intruding hens in a grain’s barn whom Ochendo has consoled and since had been drinking from their well of wisdom. He further levied Chief T A Orji with falsehood while he claimed that Abia is the least developed. As usual with shameless detractors, he cited Arthur Eze’s Phantom speech that never was but has always been quoted by the Sun writers.
Okwadike Ikpeazu, the assumed writer, certainly a fictitious name took on so many incoherent and unfounded issues at once. This writer against the rules did not put his address, phone number or the group he belongs to, rather he insulted our dear country, Nigeria, calling her a Godforsaken country. He took on lmo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and couldn’t tell us what he has against Rochas, maybe a diversionary tactic to conceal the source of the missile. The most scatting was the unmerited disdain on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
It is unfortunate that people can use respectable media like The Nation to distribute lies, probably because it has commercial value in that 3 pages of advertorials were paid for and only few forthright media houses can skip such a mouthwatering offer.
Evidently, the intent is to denigrate Ochendo, a situation we are used to since he liberated Abia and himself from an oligarchic dynasty. Any right thinking mind can easily decipher that the piece was against T. A Orji though not on issues but for mere envy over his soaring political profile as could be seen from afar.
No doubt, this writer is from a coalition of people against zoning the governorship to the South, a large-hearted move by the governor to reintegrate southern people of Ukwa na Ngwa and give them a sense of belonging based on equity and fair play. And based on this, we can easily name the plotters.
Evident in all the lines are the disgust and foolery of a hideous bunch, who postulated, not based on truth, public good but for self aggrandizement of a few gang of power-hungry dark horses.
Abia in truth was created in the last 23 years but the so called Ikpeazu left the people he should blame and turned to Chief T. A. Orji, the highest achiever in present day Abia, whose efficient jobs are testimonies borne far and wide, seen in all nooks and crannies.
Abia is a leading state in policy and infrastructure. Can you see his sludge about hospitals and schools which ironically are the strong points of the administration of T. A. Orji who has excelled so much that he has been multiply awarded?
For his information, the National Optometrists Association in their 37th AGM/Scientific Conference in 2013 bestowed on the governor, the Prime Ambassador of Healthcare due to his performance in the health sector. Business Day a few days ago did same on Education for the second time running. Talk about the Abia Specialist Hospitals and diagnostic Centre with many annexes, 710 Primary Healthcare Centers and the 100 bed hospitals in ten LGAs are in place. Maybe he has not heard about the model schools in all Local Government Areas numbering over forty. Abia State has maintained constant second in overall WAEC examinations in Nigeria, and other Abia sons and daughters like one Ohuabunwa who topped the graduation list in John Hopkins United States of America.
Scholarship and bursary, a policy forgotten by previous administrations have been propped up. Since 2007, tuition in secondary and primary schools was abolished and students in Umuahia and Aba ride to school daily on free buses.
There is every reason to see that he lacks good knowledge of Umuahia, the capital as he taunts about the road leading to the new Government House. One fact recorded is that he admits to the building of a new Government House but in a great contradiction wrote that there is no sign of development.
Now some lessons for the faceless writer. The new Government House could be approached from five solid roads as this writing is going on. There are three points from Ikot Ekpene Road that branches off at Anaghi Ezeikpe Road through BCA, Winners junction and Ahieke transverse through Avonkwu, Okwuta and Isieke. That of Winners Road off Ihie Ndume, hits the Govt House directly without anybody helping with directions. Others are from multiple bypasses from Ochendo By pass off Bende Road, Ameke and Okwuta roads. The beauty of all these entries and exits are that you can approach the new edifice without getting into Umuahia City whether from Ohuhu, Uzakoli, Bende Ikwuano or Aba. Spectacularly, all these roads are built by the present administration.
For Aba, the writer builds on the falsehood that has become a popular refrain, the usual lies of The Sun Newspapers about the state of Aba Roads. Aba was abandoned by OUK for eight years he was in office. It only took T. A. to do the present amendments, renovations and new constructions. Azikiwe, one of the broadest roads in Aba has been rebuilt. Geometric access road was built for Geometric Power station to help Aba with Energy to work and fabricate.
The main drainage emptying at Ogbor River was recently desilted by Chikwe Tech. Check out the administrative buildings in Abia Poly, ABSUTH and a big shopping mall at Osisioma. Aba Owerri road is a federal road that was reconstructed some years ago by the present administration. Right now, work is ongoing, handled by Grand Star Construction Company at Ikot Ekpene, Port Harcourt and Faulks end, leading to Ariaria.
Ikpezu forgot that Aba was once deserted with the tempestuous kidnapping and armed robbery which climaxed at the abduction of school children, juxtaposing ABA then with Beirut and Somalia, but Ochendo came to the rescue.
As he speculated about building roads without stone base, no reasonable person or contractor will attempt to build roads without stone base except the bad example set by OUK at Umuafai Road, leading to St. Vincent De Paul in a futile attempt to cover up for the promise he made to the Catholic home for the disabled.
The funny writer may continue his adopted style of deception but should remember that no matter how long a tree trunk remains in the river, it will never turn into a fish.
Many groups have come to Abia and have attested to the wondrous works completed and ongoing by T A Orji. Mr Labaran Maku, erstwhile Minister for Information called such deceptions political reporting. Olisa Metu, PDP publicity Secretary called it conspiracy, Mohamed Garba, NUJ Chairman addressed it as under reporting and so many people who have come and seen, including Chief Fani Kayode and Dele Sobowale, gurus in their fields.
The senate president, David Mark, Hon Tambuwal, Engr. Onolememen, the Minister of Works, Dr Chukwu, former Minister for Health have all visited. Are these people you can hoodwink with photo tricks? It is on record that these have laid foundation stones or commissioned finished projects. Can unknown Ikpeazu contradict these national oracles?
I think we have had enough of this desperate straw grabbing of a drowning man by Okwadike Ikpeazu and his obscure few. T A has received so many awards and commendation for achievements that cannot be enumerated here. He should be allowed to finish his long race of placing Abia in the fore front. Time will tell! One thing is certain! No matter how long these politically deceased amalgams last, power has been zoned to Abia South Senatorial Zone and T. A. is on his way to the Senate. For these detractors, no amount of lamentations will stop history being made as the new Governor elected by Abians from the South emerges.
Abia will survive and see good things.