Ogah joins Abia 2023 governorship race

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, Friday, formally joined the Abia 2023 governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with a promise to make the people rejoice.

He said he was driven by his love for Abia and “a firm commitment to a vision of a rapid transformation of Abia,” vowing to offer the state “visionary, competent and purposeful leadership.

According to the Minister, he would be a servant leader who would “take Abia State from as it is to what it ought to be.”

“This job of transforming community and people is at the root of my calling in life,” Ogah said, adding that his venture into private business and public service have exposed him to effective wide ranging experiences in team-building and people-oriented development.

“My experience, together with the successes, both in the private and public sector, have equipped me to come and serve my State as governor, come 2023,” he declared.

Unveiling his dreams for Abia, the Onuaku Uturu-born philanthropist said: “The Abia of my dream is a reinvention of a state that meets and surpasses the dream of our founding fathers in all ramifications.

“I have a dream that Abia shall be a state sprouting on the rule of law, justice and honesty of purpose. I want a state that has zero-tolerance for corruption, nepotism and sectionalism, a state where hard work and merit are celebrated in the open place.

“The Abia State of my dream is one in which its citizens enjoy critical infrastructure such as good road, water and uninterrupted power supply, to mention but a few.” 

According to him, technology would “power a new Abia economy,” just as viable transport routes would be established to open up all hinterlands and, as well, effectively link all the local governments and open them to economic activities.

On how to realize the Abia of his dream, the Minister said that if elected Abia Governor in 2023, his government would be run on two cardinal pillars.

“I am coming with two cardinal capitals. First is the faith-based capital project and the second is the social transformation capital. As a governor, Abians shall see, for the first time, visible changes built on these two great pillars.

“On the faith-based pillar, our government will be rooted in accountability to God. I have lived a life of the fear of God and I plan to bring it on board to reset a new value orientation of governance, anchored on excellence, professionalism and ethics.

“Also, under the social transformation pillar, our government shall provide a ‘High Five’ which will be anchored on economic and infrastructural development, agricultural and rural development, qualitative healthcare delivery, education transformation, security reform and crime control.

“On these positive indicators, our government shall be measured on account of what I call PPI, the People, Policy and Innovation approach.

“Every Abian shall notice these indicators within the first 100 days in office. We shall reinvent a government of human beings, even as our policies and programme shall be pro-people, all through.

“The welfare of the people shall be accorded priority. The prompt payment of workers’ salary, gratuity and pensions shall be a right and not a privilege. The workers shall be constantly motivated for optimum delivery of services. Every Abian shall be proud to participate in our government because merit and excellence shall take centre stage and Abians in diaspora shall be glad to return home and contribute in building our state.

“On the Policy approach, implementation of our policy shall always be a response to needs assessment targeting key areas that need them more at any given point in time. In targeting key areas that benefit our people more, we shall aim for quality in physical structures, quality education qualitative and accessible healthcare system, qualified and motivated health personnel, teachers, public officials who will man various positions that touch on the lives of Abians daily.

“On innovation, we shall introduce novelty in governance that utilizes new and better ways of doing things. In our government, there will be a culture of government of reorientation and change of pattern, different from old ways. It will be a culture that will embrace modern technology in all facets of our public life as a government which will guaranty ease of doing business, speed result, massive infrastructural development, social reorientation, economic boost and achievements.That is the Abia of my dream”

Chairman of Abia APC, Hon. Obioma Iheanacho, said the entrance of Ogah into the governorship race has added value to the party.

He assured that the party would conduct free and fair primary to choose a credible governorship candidate.

Also, immediate past Chairman of the party, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, commended Ogah for taking the bold step of declaring to join the Abia governorship race and promised all party faithful that Abia APC was working hard to take over the State Government House, come 2023.