Posted by LERE OJEDOKUN and ERASMUS ALANEME, Abuja on
IT was a floodgate of commendations for Gov. Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State yesterday, as the state's multi-million naira new office complex in Abuja was commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
IT was a floodgate of commendations for Gov. Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State yesterday, as the state's multi-million naira new office complex in Abuja was commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
While the president described the magnificent edifice located in the Central Business District (CBD) as "one other remarkable achievement" of Gov. Nnamani's administration, other personalities described the governor as a model of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) achievement.
National chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, who chaired the occasion, voted the governor as an epitome of prudent management of resources despite the fact that the state receives the third lowest monthly allocation from the Federation Account.
Also, the chairman of PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Tony Anenih, noted that Dr. Nnamani was among the few governors who have squarely faced the challenges of governance by refraining from frequent trips to Abuja and overseas countries.
President Obasanjo, in a speech read by Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stated that the construction of laisison offices in Abuja by states, was a healthy development for the country because it was strategically providing the much-needed infrastructure and social services to the people.
He attributed this to democracy which he said imposed the obligation on leaders to leave a legacy of hardwork and achievement to the citizenry even as he stressed the "need to deepen our democracy and open up the political space for more dialogue and contestations."
"That way, we can consolidate our democracy, create a sense of ownership by our people of our various development policies and forge ahead as sone strong and united people," he said.
President Obasanjo while explaining that the new complex would add to the beauty of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), however, advised that a long-term maintenance plan by drawn up to protect it against dilapidation.
In his remarks, Dr. Ali commended Gov. Nnamani as a young man who has ploughed his talent and intellect into the resources of the state, saying "his performance is rarely unrivalled."
He pointed out that the edifice and several development projects spoke enviably of his commitment to good governance, even as he reiterated the willingness of PDP government to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
On his part, Chief Anenih said the governor has many achievements to show because he was not known for frequent trips either to Abuja or outside the country, a development he stated affirmed to his love for the electorate.
Besides, he said that Gov. Nnamani was unlike others whose future political ambition has distracted them from providing good governance
"You are one of the very few governors who do not go from place to place wanting to be vice president to a non-existent president. Chimaroke has never been quoted, he has never said, he has never been misquoted that he is interested in being vice president to a non-existent president," Chief Anenih declared.
Elated Gov. Nnamani in his speech, stated that the event represented "the unshakable symbol of the Igbo spirit the trinity of the character of Igbo - the character of adventure, hardwork and Igbo man perpetual optimism."
The building, standing side by side with the Katsina and Lagos houses, he added, signified that the sons and daughters of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe have equal standing with those of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello and late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He added that the edifice was a symbol of the administration's resolve to pursue excellence, asserting that the state has indeed taken its pride of place among its peers.
Gov. Nnamani while declaring that the South-East "refuses as it were to be marginalised," recalled that the present Nigerian nation was a collective struggle of people from diverse political zone.
"We still remember that Nigeria was built on the sweat of those coal miners of the East, on the back of those who built the groundnut pyramid of the North and on the resolve of cocoa farmers of the West, he emphasised.
Dignitaries at the event include ministers, Chief Cornelius Adebayo (Communications), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso (Defence), Mr.. Frank Nweke Jr. (Information and National Orientation and Amb. Franklin Ogbuewu (Culture and Tourism).
Others are the Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Champion Newspapers Limited (CNL), Mr. Emma Agu, veteran politician, Dr. Godwin Daboh and members of the National Assembly.
Also present were the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezurike; chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Jeremiah Onovo; Deputy National Chairman (North), PDP, Alhaji Ibrahim Shelleng; Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Chinedu Nebo and his Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUTECH) counterpart, Prof. Joe Chidubem.
Captains of industry and representatives of other sectors were also in attendance.