Members of the National Assembly, weekend adopted the senator representing Abia Central, Sen. Theodore Orji as a working material even as the people of Ukwa and Ngwa, appreciated him as equity-keeping one, while tasking him on his second term.
This adoption came at Ngwa High School, Aba premises as the Ukwa/Ngwa people appreciated and endorsed him for a second under “Grand Thank-U reception”.
The retinue of senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria numbering about twelve and led by Sen. Godswill Akpabio described Sen. Orji as a senator that “carries himself with candor and a bridge builder during the occasion, telling Ukwa/Ngwa people “since you have adopted him, you have given him to us (the Senate) and we will use him”
“We (the Senators) associate ourselves with Sen. Orji and Gov. Ikpeazu”, the senators further said, pointing out that together with Sen. Enynaya i Abaribe, Sen. orji has represented the state well at the red chamber, including Sen. MAO Ohuabunwa.
According to them, “Abia people, when you have giants behind you, you need not look for dwarfs”, and also expressed their happiness with the transformation the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu is doing in the state, especially in Aba, assuring the state governor that with the team of National Assembly members from the state, more development will be coming to the state.
The senators included Joshua Ladon, Samuel Anyanwu, Rose Oko, Sony Ogbuji, Fatima Raji-Rasaki, Philipe Gwer, Jona Jang, Enyinaya Abaribe, Mao Ohuabunwa, Abdulahi Adamu, and a former senator, Adolphus Wabara, amongst others.
Earlier, the people of Ukwa and Ngwa had described Sen. Orji as a bridge builder, their lamentation “that our bruised and brutalized psyche had begun to accept that our lot is to play second fiddle”, has been put in the dust bin as “The umbrella (Ochendo as Sen. Orji is popularly called), whose umbrella shade protected and projected a clan from political obscurity to limelight”, “chose to do something to change the political destiny of ndi Ukwa na Nkwa”.
In his welcome address, an Ukwa/Nkwa elder, Emma Adaelu, described Sen. Orji as “a rare gem, a prodigy of example, a man of equity and justice and a man of history”, stating “”God allowed him and used him to wipe out the tears of the Ukwa/Ngwa people”.
According to him, “We have never smelt prior to this time or any form of development come nearer us. He has kept his spirit of equity”.
His gratitude to the senator was thus “you are a great man and I do not know where we would have been if you have not done this.
Others who spoke during the occasion were Dr. Gashun Amuta for Ngwa people, Hon Uzoma Abonta for Ukwa people, Hon. Sam Onuigbo for Umuahia people and Ikwuano, Chief Charles Ogbonna, the speaker of the Abia State House3 of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chikwendeu kalu and the state Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu.
All appreciated the senator for all he did for the state as a governor and all he is doing now as the senator representing Abia North.
According to traditional rulers in the area led by Eze Eberechi Dick, what the senator has done for the Ukwa na Ngwa people will remain in the annals of the people of the area, including handing over to them ”a good governor” in the person of Okezie Ikpeazu .
The appreciated him with a chieftancy title of “Omezirimba” (one who favoured a people).
Responding, Sen. Orji said in making sure that peace and equity reigns in the state, he prayed to God and Ikpeazu became a governor, not ,minding those who did not want power to shift to Ukwa/Ngwa area.
Recalling what his father had told him while alive that “there is no success without a successor”, the senator said he saw the need for equity, Abia North and Abia central having taking their turn at the governorship seat in the state.
He disclosed that in no way does he intervene in the administration and function of Okezie Ikpeazu as the state Governor
He also used the occasion to advise his fellow senators quarreling with their governors to “come to Abia and take the template for peace to your state”.
Sen. Orji thanked the royal fathers over their appreciation and urged them to support him and the state governor.
Responding, the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, quoting the Biblical parable of 10 lepers, said “it is because of this that today, I say I am blessed and hence the decision of the Ukwa/ngwa people to thank the one who has done them well.
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