As the world gears up to the annual feast of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ over two thousand years ago as recorded in various religious literatures, the people of Abia State christened God's Own State by its founders have every reason to be thankful for this particular season. For a State that has smouldered from the choking smoke of hatchet bombers who contrived for inexplicable reasons apart from mischief to tarnish the image of the state and its people, this is the season to say shame to the enemy. Indeed, it had been a rough sail in the murky political waters, but like the scriptures have already expressed, certain things are instituted to show the wonderful works of God. For the leaders, it has become a truism that challenges rather weigh down a determined leader with the right political will, should serve as energizer that spurs such leaders to actions that surmounts challenges. In the case of the Executive Governor of Abia, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji who has no doubt suffered wrong assessments by ignorant jobbers and casket bearers in political canopies, this season has shown how God blesses the step of a righteous. Today, the issue of insecurity which served enemies of the state their choice barbecue few years ago has completely submerged and emptied in the dust-bin of history. What is perhaps noteworthy is that those hack writers in mundane and obsolete outfits adding up the numbers of media houses in Nigeria, have not had the courage to feast on the usual delicacy by at least admitting that this man has done excellent in this regard. But that is not unexpected since they say that what is news is only the unusual. Hence a man biting a dog makes news as against a dog biting a man. So we leave the area of security as no more news as things have normalized, at least in Abia. Another area of Ochendo's landmark achievements with direct impact on the lives of the residents of the state is in the area of healthcare. It is yet incontrovertible if any state in this country has been able to match the height and standard health care delivery services of the Abia State Government under the leadership of the governor. From the construction and equipment of close to three hundred health centres fully equipped in the rural areas spanning the Seventeen Local Government Areas of the State, to the establishment of the three wonder-Diagnostic Centres in the State, which has attracted global commendation, the state government, not relenting in ensuring health for all is at the verge of completing another ultra modern complex for the state-of-the art laboratory, Conference rooms for Medical Personnel's Seminars and Workshops as well as expansion of the Diagnostic Centre. It only needs a leader in touch with reality to see the need to provide the necessaries that will stand the test of time. The reason may even be elementary, but the impact is legendary. Yes. Healthcare delivery is undoubted one of the fascinating fields with amazing revolution probably catalyzed by its-aided research. Thus, the scientific evolution from Ultra Sound to Ct-Scan, to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and lately though not common for now, PET-Scan has placed an enormous challenge for health givers and providers so much so that any leader who fails to move with the trend will remain a type-writer repairer in the age of Information Technology.Many had queried in their ignorance why much emphasis on health, to which the governor had always replied that it is only a healthy man that can be able to agitate for the dividends of democracy. And obviously in the spirit of ensuring a memorable yuletide for the people celebrated in the best of health conditions, the governor played host to a crack team of medical experts from The United States, Canada and United Kingdom who were in the state, and like the master Jesus in the Holy Books moved from one location of the state to the other curing various ailment to the joy and satisfaction of the beneficiaries. What more can a people deserve from one of their own. This piece will still not be fair enough to all concerned if one does not acknowledge the massive infrastructural edification being conceived by the present government in Umuahia. Theodore Orji's proof of feeling the pulse of Abia people filmed from the point he identifies their pressing needs. This he has put into consideration for the season. What gift could be meaningful to the Isuikwuato man than to drive on the well asphalted 26-kilometer Nunya Isuikwuato Road' Will the people of Arochukwu ever forget the year the rode on asphalt on that long-abandoned Arochukwu-Ohafia road to celebrate Christmas courtesy of Ochendo, and despite the fact that it is a federal road' What else could grant deserved rest to late vibrant and highly articulate Legislator of the 2nd Republic, Hon. Smart Ndem Okpi and the warriors of Abam in Arochukwu this season than the joy witnessing the on-going construction work on the 36-kilometre Ndi Okereke, Ndi Ite-Ndi Okorie road courtesy of TA Orji' Whereas it is not our intention to recall unfulfilled promises made by previous administrations to these communities regarding these roads, and none of which was remembered not to talk of being fulfilled, what is not in doubt here is that in the midst of all the sectors begging for attention, somebody remembered a promise he made few months ago and is committed to fulfilling it. This is the lesson. It is a virtue to be appreciated that people still have honour in them even in the business of politics where the survival pattern is jump-and-pass.Aside from the rural areas, a thought for good has been extended to the urban areas as well. In Aba , ashphalt over-lay has been completed at the Eke-akpara Road, Aba South Headquarters through Howells Crescent collapsing into already rehabilitation of Azikwe Road. Umukabia Obikabia road to the impregnable Ohanku Road have capitulated to the developmental forces of Ochendo. A new city is emerging in Aba with the construction of drainages and environmental discipline.In Umuahia, the America-wonder roads built by immediate past regimes that collapsed even before the contractors left site are been re-built by the governor while opening up new ones. The Timber Holy-Ghost AhiaUkwu has been rebuilt among many streets in the state capital which roads have lasted for more than thirty years, and were begging for attention. Residents of the Satellite Agbama Housing Estate now know they are not political casts as they are seeing caterpillars for the first time since the Estate was opened. Okwoyi is being connected to Ozuitem, just as people are alive to witness the realization of the Ikwuano Ring road project that was for long a dream in a pipe. Offcourse there are many others space can not contain, which include the Uzuakoli road, Umukabia as well as Ubani roads.For a leader whose intentions have been misrepresented, by the concerted but misplaced efforts of the traditional detractors, there is no doubt that the essence of the Christmas season which is to love has been demonstrated by him for the people perhaps in appreciation of the trust, support and confidence they displayed through their ballot statement last April. Indeed things have turned around for the good in Abia. Emereuwa is Special Adviser, Special Duties To Governor Orji.
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