By Precious Akutamadu
Port Harcourt – Indigenes of Abia in South Africa on Friday urged Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to sustain the ongoing pace of infrastructural development in the state in 2017.
Mr Emmanuel Onwuemenyi, the National Secretary-General of Abia State Union in South Africa, made the call in a Christmas message to the government and people of the state.
The message was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Friday.
He said the National Executive Committee of the union was felicitating with Ikpeazu against background of the festive season and the 25th anniversary of the state.
“We are happy and grateful to God Almighty for blessing us with the gift of life which gave us the enablement to weather all socio-economic and political storms that have threatened the existence of Abia State,” he said.
Onwuemenyi commended Ikpeazu for his administration’s efforts to build roads, generate power and boost the education sector.
“The National Executive Committee and all the union members are proud to be associated with your dreams and aspiration for the people of Abia State in the areas of youth empowerment, education at all levels as well as infrastructural development.
“We believe your mission is to ensure meaningful impact on the down trodden in the society, give hope to the hopeless and vision for the visionless in order to realise Abia State’s dreams and aspirations ,” he said.
The Secretary said the group`s President, Chima Umealo, had worked hard to host the inaugural edition of Abia Food Festival in South Africa.
He stated that the event created awareness about different Nigerian food among South Africans.