Chief Charles Ugboajah 


By Tony Icheku 


Two traditional rulers from Ikwuano LG, HRH Eze Joseph Obaji of Agumba Autonomous Community and HRH Eze Ambrose Nwagwu of Ugwuegbu on Sunday applauded Abia State Governor Alex Otti for his focused and unrelenting drive to quickly revitalise the State's dying infrastructure, especially roads network 


Speaking during a courtesy visit to his palace, HRH Ambrose Nwagwu  said Gov Otti has more than justified the confidence of the  people in his administration.



Failed portion of the road at Ugwuegbu


"I was shocked to my  bone marrows to see pictures of the flag-off for the reconstruction of the Itunta-Elemaga bridge. I was shocked because I thought His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti was only interested in urban centres. But to have approved and appropriated funds for the Itunta-Elemaga bridge shows he is thinking and working for all Abians. Our people in Ikwuano know the sad history of that bridge, we know how our farming and other  businesses suffered over the years years because some class of vehicles could not access that bridge. But today according to  the Engineer in charge of the reconstruction, we can access the bridge in a few weeks time 


"Indeed, ndi Ikwuano have a lot to appreciate Gov Otti for. We are singing his praises to the high heavens. For me and my people, Gov Otti's intervention on the Itunta-Elemega bridge has given Ugwuegbu Autonomous Community hope that in no distant time, Gov Otti will remember Ugwuegbu Autonomous Community too or he would be moved by our tears. 




"You can see for yourself what we have been suffering over the years, and this year because of the consistent heavy rains, the Ugwuegbu Bridge has split in two cutting off eight Ariam-Usaka villages from  their kits and kin in nearby communities. We are praying that in no distant time  Gov Otti would come to our rescue.


The Deputy Mayor of Ikwuano LG, Chief Charles Ugboajah who was in the palace  was equally profuse in his praises for Gov Otti. "The flag off for the reconstruction of the Itunta-Elemeaga bridge really excited and boosted my morale. You see the naysayers in our midst were beginning to mock some of us that we laboured in vain, that Gov Otti has forgotten about Ikwuano. But how can that be? I know that Dr Otti and ndi Ikwuano shares a uncommon relationship. We have always supported his political aspirations. In my own case, I was his Returning Officer for Ikwuano in the last election and we delivered him overwhelmingly. So for me some of the attacks seemed personal. But I remained optimistic, I know the leaders I follow, therefore the flag off of the Itunta-Elemaga bridge did not come as a surprise to me"


Chief Ugboajah who led newsmen around the broken down spots in the community, especially  the Ariam-Usaka Ring Road axis  urged the community to exercise more patient and not be like that tortoise who was locked in the toilet for several years, but started screaming impatiently on the day of his release.


 "Gov Otti is God's answer to prayers of Abians and ndi Ikwuano, he will not be everywhere at once, am very confident that his intervention on the Ariam-Usaka Ring Road is only a matter of time" 


Ugboajah, responding to questions on his ambition to become the next Executive Chairman of Ikwuano LG. "In politics and public administration, experience counts for a lot. As former Legislative Leader of the LG,  am the most experienced of the aspirants who have indicated interest so far. What Ikwuano LG needs now is an Executive Chairman who will hit the ground running. There is so much to do.


"But am glad our people knows what is best for them. The new dispensation is definitely not going the one of business as usual. Our people know those who stood with them in their struggle and in their pains. I have more to say on this, but let's wait until the whistle is blown first", he said