Governor Theodore Orji

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

The city of Enugu literally stood still yesterday as Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State was presented with the Champion Newspapers Leadership Man of the Year award.
However, the governor while receiving the award, pledged to ensure that his administration embarked on projects that would the overall wellbeing of the people.  

The event, which took place at the Nike Lake Resort, attracted notable personalities including the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Bamanga Tukur, who was represented by the National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and former Minister of Information, Walter Ofonagoro.Others include, the President-General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ambassador Ralph Uwuechue, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, and Senator Anyim Ude. Virtually all officials of the Abia State Government relocated to Enugu for the event which equally attracted notable traditional and religious leaders led by chairman of the South-east Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Illomuanya; and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abia State chapter, Bishop Goddy Okafor, respectively.

In his speech, Orji said his administration had embarked on an overall development of the state, listing the construction of an ultra-modern state secretariat, modern international market, new Government House, High Court complexes, Specialist Hospitals as some of the projects which would make great impact on the state.  
He also reiterated his commitment to ensuring that security of lives and property in the state was guaranteed, noting that unlike in some other South-east states where kidnapping has become the order of the day, such does not exist in Abia anymore as a result of the government’s determination to stamp it out.  

Publisher and chairman of Champion Newspapers Limited, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu said that the reason why Governor T A Orji was given the 2012 Champion leadership award was because of the governor’s determination to do well in Abia State.
He said despite challenges in the state, including security, Orji has shown determination to make sacrifices to turn around the state for good.

Iwuanyanwu equated the governor with other recipients of the award like Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, saying that the award was to encourage Orji to do more.

According to Iwuanyanwu, Orji has restored peace in Abia State, currently fast-tracking the development of infrastructure, providing health care among other provisions.