An outstanding entrepreneur and illustrious son of Ishienu Amagunze Community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Capt. Evarest Nnaji, popularly known as “Odengene”, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his passion and special interest in developing the long neglected rural areas in the state.

Capt. Nnaji, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Odengene Airshuttle Services (OAS), described Gov. Ugwuanyi as “a good man” who has demonstrated enormous commitment to the wellbeing of the rural dwellers through his administration’s rural development policy.

Speaking when the governor inaugurated the 5.4km Amagunze asphaltic concrete road he (Nnaji) constructed, the OAS boss pointed out that “elsewhere governors will build roads and other development projects where people will clap hands and take pictures, but our governor (Ugwuanyi) goes to the rural areas, where people who ordinarily will never be remembered live and fix their roads without unnecessary publicity”.

Capt. Nnaji maintained that Gov. Ugwuanyi has connected the hinterlands, “where ordinarily nobody will think of tarred road”, with development projects, disclosing that it was because of the governor’s steadfastness and passion for the rural dwellers that he was spurred to construct the road to support his administration’s grassroots development programmes.

He stressed that “government cannot provide road every place at the same time”, adding that the project was part of his Corporate Social Responsibility to his community and the state.

Capt. Nnaji who appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for coming to inaugurate the road project after he flagged it off nine months ago, explained that the 5.4km road connects four autonomous communities and would assist the rural dwellers in so many ways.

“Your Excellency, you are doing wonderful things in Enugu State. The other day, I went to Nsukka Township Stadium to see for myself a 5,000 capacity stadium built and completed by your administration.

“We know of the ongoing ESUT Teaching Hospital and College of Medicine project at Igbo-Eno. We know what that project will do for Enugu State and the healthcare of people and beyond, among other numerous infrastructural projects.

“What I want to tell our people is let’s support our government; we have a very sincere governor; somebody who is God’s man, who will not take you for granted.

“Your Excellency, thank you for your prayers and moral support. We will not take it for granted. We will continue to appreciate you sir”, he said.

Inaugurating the road, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed delight at the landmark event and joined the people of Amagunze and environs in celebrating “this community-spirited gentleman for the delivery of this high utility road”.

The governor urged all users of the road to own and protect the key infrastructural asset and observe road traffic safety protocol.

Gov. Ugwuanyi, who noted that the road was the second privately funded project in the council area within the life of his administration, stated that the trend is most worthy of commendation as well as emulation by persons with the wherewithal.

He added that the continuing partnership between his administration and public-spirited individuals in infrastructure provisioning is a welcome development, saying: “Odengene, you evidently made a tough choice; a choice to improve the lives, living and livelihood of your people in preference to other competing personal needs.

“You have made indelible footprints on the sands of time. The verdict of history will be kind to you. Please accept our sincere commendations. I pray the almighty God to bless you, give you peace, good health, longevity and outstanding prosperity in Jesus Name. Amen”.

Earlier in their separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Rt. Hon. Princess Peace Nnaji, the immediate past Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu (Rtd), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Engr. Michael Ogbuekwe, the Chairman of Nkanu East LGA, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh and HRH Igwe .O. Nwatu commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for peace and good governance in Enugu State.

They equally applauded the governor for providing the enabling environment which made it possible for Capt. Nnaji and other good-spirited indigenes of the state to contribute to infrastructural development.

On a special note, Hon. Justice Emehelu paid glowing tribute to Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration’s unprecedented infrastructural interventions in the State Judiciary.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ferotex Construction Company Limited, the firm that constructed the road, Chief Festus Onu, expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for giving the company the opportunity to work in the state.

Chief Onu thanked Capt. Nnaji for awarding the job to the company and went further to thank the people of the community for their cooperation during the construction of the road, assuring that the road was delivered to standard according to the specification.

Dignitaries at the event include the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi; the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo; Bishop Emeritus of Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Anthony Gbuji; former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Bishop Ralph Nwoye; Member representing Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji; Member representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo; their Enugu East/Isi-Uzo counterpart, Hon. Prince Cornelius Nnaji; former Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Anayo Edeh; Member representing Nkanu East Constituency, Rt. Hon. Paul Nnajiofor; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Steve Oruruo; the Chairman of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Chief Ikeje Asogwa; Chief Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo; Dr. Gabriel Ajah, the Chaplain, Government House, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Chinedu Ozoude and other Catholic Priests; Traditional Rulers, among others.