“Lack of citizens participation in governance is one of the greatest challenges of Government. As your Governor come 2023, my interest is to build the Abia of our dreams that will work for all. This won’t be possible if we (the citizenry) fail to participate activity in the day to day running of government. Dear youth, I charge you this day to prepare yourselves to participate in my governance come 2023 and onwards”
“For us to succeed, we must imbibe the principal of thinking globally while strategizing locally. We must resist the cynicism or suggestion that the system is rigged against us due to our background, gender, tribe or religion, but rather, focus on how we can make a positive difference in the society by applying our God given knowledge, talents, skills and intellect to solving the challenges”
Those were the exact words of the People’s Democratic Party Gubernatorial Candidate, Professor Uche Ikonne, during an interactive session with the Youth, at his Agburuike Nsulu County home.
Professor Ikonne who interacted with the Isiala Ngwa North Youth Congress on a number of tropical issues affecting their participation in government, called for the youth to take decisive action against these issues that has held their success over the years, noting that his Government will not reward laziness.
According to him “The era where youths will only serve as PAs/Bag Carriers is over. We will engage the youth meanfully that he/she will be independent. Already we are investing in them, and my plan is to set up every youth either as an individual or as a consortium, to a point where they will no longer ask for arms, rather they will be the ones providing”
“I do not subscribe to the mantra of Change-Abia because the boundaries of our dear Abia State has already been fixed by God, what we will change is the mindset of Abians, and our pattern of doing things, because the citizens are the ones that make up Abia”
Continuing, Professor Ikonne noted that he has laid foundation on how everybody will benefit from this government. “You can go and ask because the word cabal does not exist in my dictionary” he stated.
He said, “We are raising the bar of governance, and you need to raise your own orientation and join us at that level, so that you will benefit from it”
Also addressing the youth, the Deputy Governorship Candidate, Hon. Barr. Philips Okey Igwe, while appreciating the youth for their efforts and contributions, adviced them to make use of this golden opportunity.
Earlier in his speech, the Coordinator, Isiala Ngwa North Youth Congress, Engr. Chuks Njoku, appreciated Professor Ikonne for his continuous contributions to the lives of the youth over the years, assuring him that the youth of Isiala Ngwa, by extension, Abia are solidly with him in this gubernatorial project.
The interaction featured questions and answer session from Comr. Okey Wachuku, Amb. Uba Anyanwu, Barr. Esiaba as well as Mr. Isaac Iweh, representing the clans in Isala Ngwa North, as well as contributions from the PDP house of Assembly Candidates for Isiala North and South State constituencies, Chief Collins Ugochukwu Iheonunekwu(Ochake) and Hon. Rowland Ceasar, Former Chairman Isiala Ngwa North, Chief Friday Onukwo, Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Victor Azumara, the Isiala Ngwa North LGA Party Chairman, Elder Sam Esindu and Chief Onyenkachi Onyenkwere (Gadaffi).
The DG, Uche Ndi Abia Campaign Organisation, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Elechi, Elder Ogechi Chile, Sir Chinedu Ugoala, Dr. Ogbonna Ehiemere, Dr. Haglar Okorie, Chief Emeka Ikwuagwu, Dr. P Chinatu Njoku, Dr. Mrs. Kate Thelma Obilor, Hon. Loveth Ojo, Lady. Uloma Harley, Evang. Titus Emeribe and other members of Uche Ndi Abia Campaign organisation, were present during the session.
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