Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State(wearing Fez Cap); his wife, Rachel; wife of the Deputy Governor, Nnenna and the Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, and female members of the state Executive Council at a novelty football match organised by the government to mark the 19th anniversary of Ebonyi State and Nigeria’s 55th Independence at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, Abakaliki on Monday
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has called on the state workers to show understanding as his government is still open for negociation.
Umahi stated this during an interdenominational church service to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence and 19th year of Ebonyi state creation at St.John Evangelist Catholic Church,Okpaugwu,Abakaliki.
The Governor Umahi, who regretted the continuous dwindling oil price , also called on the church to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and the government of Ebonyi state .
He expressed optimism that God who gave him and Buhari the power to govern would surely bring to an end, the bad economic situation facing the country.
“I ask the church to pray for our president, the president of this country.I don’t believe that after the election,we should still continue to talk about party. We should talk about how to move the country forward.”
Governor Umahi said the major thrust of his administration was to fight corruption because it was the major problem that had kept Nigeria and states in bad shape.
He described the capital city of Abakaliki as the lowest compared to other capital cities in the country and expressed the commitment of his administration to turn around the city within six months.
“We have startednd within the nextsix months, we should have been able to complete at least a 100- kilometer of roads in the capital city,and there is no pressure that will stop it, “he stated.
Governor Umahi called on those building their houses on roadsides in the state to desist from such act as government would not take it kindly them.
Governor Umahi warned that the cleanness of the city must be ensured.
He appreciated the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN),Ebonyi state chapter, for its strong support for his administration.
He however called on the clergy to stop castigating leaders on the pulpit but guide them on ways of correcting their mistakes.
“It would be better for the clergy to offer words of advice to the leaders especially when they go wrong than berating them before the public during church services,’’ the governor said.
The interdenominational church service was presided over by the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki,Rt.Rev.Peter Mmuo.
The Vicar had noted in his sermon that “Independence can only benefit the people when both the leaders and the led join hands to harness the country’s full potentials for attain development.
He added that since independence gives the country freedom to conduct its affairs, the citizens should utilise it to attract God’s favour.
Prayers for peace and unity of the country,good governance at all levels were offered during the church service was attended also by the Deputy Governor of the state, Kelechi Igwe, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru and members of the state Executive Council.