By NewsBits
There was jubilation at Nsude Community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State when scores of indigenes of the area emptied trooped to the streets to receive the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Pastor Donatus Obi Ozoemena.
The ADC standard bearer, Pastor Ozoemena, was at Nsude for the formal flag-off campaign of Prince Charles Okechukwu Edeh who is seeking to represent Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly in the forthcoming general election.
As early as 8:00a.m. on the fateful day, hundreds of people including elders, women and youths had gathered at the premises of St Mark Catholic Church, Nsude (along Udi/9th Mile Road) anxiously waiting to have a glimpse of the ADC standard bearer.
As expected, Pastor Ozoemena and his entourage arrived at the venue amidst pomp and ceremony, a development many described as a sign of cohesion between the leadership of the party and its candidates, ahead of the forthcoming poll. This reporter who was on the entourage of the ADC standard bearer observed that a novelty match was part of the activities that took place at the event and it added colour to the ceremony.
Prior to the commencement of the event proper, the politician had visited the palace of His Royal Highness Igwe George Ejikeme Onoh of Nsude where he received royal blessing from the traditional ruler. The paramount ruler, after listening to the visitor with keen interest, prayed for success in his gubernatorial bid, stressing that Nigerians needed credible leaders to be at the saddle.
Igwe Onoh noted that they were not unaware of their son’s quest to represent them at the House of Representatives, assuring that they would give him support to realise his dream. The native ruler also said he was overwhelmed by the sterling qualities of the ADC gubernatorial candidate, noting that his humility and public engagement were outstanding.
Earlier, Pastor Ozoemena told Igwe Onoh, who was seated in midst of his cabinet members, that he was on a rescue mission to change the ugly narrative which, he said, had retarded the progress of people of the Coal City State for a long time. Going down memory lane, the ADC standard bearer told the royal father how he was ordained by God in a unique way, adding that he was instructed by God to leave his comfort zone in the United States of America (USA) to come home and salvage Enugu State.
“It hurts me seeing our people and our youths in the predicament they have been placed in, today. It is the predicament of lack of hope for the future, joblessness and top of it is insecurity but I assure you that with God, there is great hope. Even, without having served in government at any level, I have provided water to the people of Enugu State when there was acute scarcity of water.
“And as I speak, the Save Enugu State Now Movement (S-E-S-N-M) youth football tournament 2022/2023 second edition is at the semi-finals stage. I have been sponsoring the youth soccer tournament since 2019 and discovered talents from the tournament are playing professional football in Europe and Asia countries. My team sometime ago played against Enugu Rangers International football club.”
Pastor Ozoemena further took the message of hope to the flag-off campaign ground where he reiterated his commitment of bringing sanity into governance if elected as governor of the state.
He said: “I have the experience, the integrity and capacity to govern Enugu State. With joint efforts, we will be happy again. The time is now, your actions and involvement in this great movement will determine our future and even the future of the yet to be born youths and your children.
“I was once in the shoes of these suffering youths. I attended Onoli Community School Awgu, Boys’ Secondary School Awgu, and Government Technical School, Enugu where I majored in Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Practice. I once hawked palm wine in the streets of Lagos before going to the USA where I furthered my education in university.
“I have helped so many individuals financing them in one way or the other in order for them not to lose hope in life.
“I will tackle insecurity squarely and it would be community based. Security operatives will be recruited within the communities. Police checkpoints will be scrapped. Foreign investors including the richest man in the world would be attracted to Enugu State. Free education and free meals will be introduced in schools in Enugu State”.
Perhaps, if there is anything that thrilled the people most at the event, it was the “Loan-free for traders” and “No Youth left behind” programme as there was an ovation from the mammoth crowd when the ADC standard bearer announced it. Many residents of the community interviewed also agreed that they are people oriented.
According to Pastor Ozoemena, “There is a correlation between unemployment and crime. That is why we will not leave any youth behind in our employment drive. My government through joint efforts will make Enugu another Dubai.”
While unveiling his manifesto, Prince Edeh said he would protect the interest of his people at the House of Representatives.
“I am pleased to be the epitome and embodiment of true Udi/Ezeagu spirit of selflessness, responsibility, capacity, transparency, innovation, inclusiveness, hard work, and commitment to social justice. I will leave no stone unturned to enhance the growth and development of my constituency through effective representation.
“My five points agenda will be education (scholarship including oversea), youths and women empowerment, infrastructural and industrial development, health, sports and social services, and community development,” he said.
State chairman of the ADC, Evangelist Stella Chukwuma, also spoke at the two different occasions, extolling the good virtues of the ADC flag-bearer.
She urged the electorate to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) wisely in the forthcoming general election, adding that they should vote for ADC Gubernatorial Candidate, Pastor Ozoemena as well as other candidates contesting in the platform of ADC where handshake is the logo with a view to changing the status-quo in Enugu State.
NewsBits learnt that the ceremony witnessed the official presentation of the ADC House of Representatives flag to Prince Edeh, a one-time State Organising Secretary of the party.
