Alex Ekweme’s Kinsmen Visit Gov Obiano

OBIKA CHIDIEBELE

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano yesterday received in audience the delegation from Oko Community, Orumba North LGA led by the Igwe, HRH, Prof. Laz. Ekwueme.

The delegation which was received at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, had the representatives of the Ekwueme Family, the President General of Oko Community, Ndi Ichie and other major stakeholders of the community.

The leader of the group, Prof Laz Ekwueme, informed Gov Willie Obiano that they were at the Lodge to appreciate him for standing by the Ekwueme Family, Oko Community and Orumba North LGA, during the burial of one of their sons, brother and former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme. He took time to express their gratitude to Obiano for according the departed statesman a befitting burial.

Speaking further, Prof Ekwueme informed Gov Willie Obiano that the Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has started work at the grade ‘A’ Oko, Nanka, Agulu gully erosion sites, which according to him was the biggest nightmare of the community and environs.

Igwe Ekwueme decried the activities of land excavators which according to him aggravated the level of gully erosion around the area and appealed to government to see to curbing or putting an end to the activities.

Responding, Gov Willie Obiano appreciated the delegation for finding time to visit the Lodge, pointing out that the Late Dr Alex Ekwueme was a true statesman. Going down memory lane, Chief Obiano recalled his relationship with the late Vice President as cordial.

“I am aware that the Federal Government of Nigeria gave support to the Ekwuemes, I am deeply grateful to them”. Gov. Willie Obiano also used the opportunity to appreciate, the Government of Enugu State, led by His Excellency, Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for receiving and according our late icon the state burial he deserved.

Gov Obiano used the occasion to inform the delegation that he was happy that NEWMAP was now working in Oko. He equally told them that the Agency (NEWMAP) is currently working on 13 erosion sites in the state.

“A forthnight ago, we signed a partnership to work on 9 erosion sites in the state with environmental experts, that will help in managing erosion sites that dots the landscape of Anambra” Obiano said.

Speaking further, Obiano informed them that Anambra State is currently experimenting with a grass called Vertiva, which according to him helps in checking erosion.

“We are encouraging our people to start planting some of these trees that help in checking erosion like Bambo, breadfruit trees and others. They are equally economically viable”, Chief Obiano opined.

Concluding his speech, Gov Willie Obiano informed the visiting Alex Ekwueme’s kinsmen that even as Anambra had the highest number of ashphalted roads, that work was ongoing in several sites across the state. ‘We now pay our PGs some stipends and have increased the stipend of ndi Igwes to help them administer their communities adequately. We will continue to ensure that we remain the safest state in Nigeria”, Gov Obiano submitted.

In his vote of thanks on behalf of the delegation, Chief Ezezika Isaiah, appreciated Gov Obiano for his giant strides in all the facets of governance. He reminded the governor that as a community, they will continue to support him and his government.