Johnkennedy Uzoma,Owerri
All is now set for the formal inauguration of the 6th Executive Governor of Imo State Hon. Emeka Ihedioha which holds tomorrow at the Dan Anyiam Sports Stadium, in Owerri, the state capital.
Preparation is already on top gear towards a successful handing over of power from Governor Rochas Okorocha of All Progressive Congress APC to Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Both the Dan Anyiam Stadium and the Grass Hoppers Handball pitch that has been abandoned by the outgoing government venue for the epoch making event is already wearing a new look as the place has been repainted while the dilapidated areas been re-fixed by the incoming governor to give the place befitting look for the event
The entire environment within the stadium are been given total overhauling giving the magnitude of the event and the dignitaries that would be honouring the event.
The internal roads within the stadium has been rebuilt while the streets of Owerri especially the popular Wethderal has been designed with the flyers of the Governor Elect and his deputy Engr. Gerald Irona.
The people of the state are excited and working behind the clock in full support for a hitch free ceremony.
A lot of citizens of the state who have been outside the state for some years have all returned to be part of the long awaited inauguration of new government in the state.
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Since after the declaration of Hon.Emeka Ihedioha as the winner of the 2019 Governorship election in Imo State members of some political parties have already started aligning themselves with the PDP Governorship elect while those who have been away from politics have continued to identify with Hon. Ihedioha
The governor-elect before now had set up both the Transition and Handing over committee headed by Barr. Chris Okewulonu as well as Technical Committee chaired by the former Central Bank Governor, Dr. Ernest Ebi, to come up with the best ideas on how to actualise hitch free hand over and administration under the PDP government.
The transition and inauguration committee came up with chains of activities marking the event.
They include Interdenominational Church Service scheduled to hold on Sunday, Arts exhibition, novelty football match between Nollywood actors and Ex-International footballers, lecture before the inauguration proper.
The journey to the Douglas House which remains the seat of power in Imo State started with an Interdenominational Church Service chaired by the Bishop of Ohaji/Egbema Anglican Diocese, The Rt. Revd Chidi Collins Oparaojiaku held at the Grass Hoppers Handball pitch.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Prince Uche Secondus who was represented by the national official of the party, former Governors of the state including Chief Achike Udenwa, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, House of Representative members both serving and those elected, captains of Industries, and top political gladiators and royal fathers
Preaching a sermon at the church service, the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Dr.Anthony Obinna challenged the Governor Elect Hon.Emeka Ihedioha and his deputy Engr.Gerald Irona to stay away from sycophants and occult members whose motive would be to deceive discourage him from working to rebuild the state.
The prelate advised them to always make God their bedrock and work with the fear of God so as to be able to governor the state well.
The Archbishop who preached under the topic, “Repent and Worship the True God Unwaveringly, Serve the People in Humility, Wisdom and Fortitude” said that Imo State presently need a true leaders, a true governor and deputy governor who will be bear God’s humility top move the state forward
Such leaders according to him would be one who wash and clean up the environment Imo State again, rebuild what has been broken and destroyed, use the state resources prudently well for the good of the state, build a lasting roads that have been neglected for so long
According to the Archbishop, the leader Imo State demands would one who would be ever ready to defend the state at the point of need rather than one who would betray the state or convert the resources of the state as family money.
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In his brief remarks, the Governor –Elect, Hon Emeka Ihedioha paid special tribute to God who made it possible for him to emerge the Governor Elect despite all odds while assuring the people of the state that light would soon begin to shine again in the state insisting that the dark ages in Imo state has gone.
He decried the poor and sorry state of the Grass Hoppers stadium in the past 8years before now, adding that it took the incoming administration only two weeks to fix the stadium venue for the swearing in ceremony
Ihedioha confessed that the journey to the point of his emergence was full of task and challenges but gave credit to God for answering prayers of Imo people
He said: “if we can fix the Stadium in 2 weeks, it means that we can fix Imo State in few months to come”.
He assured to put the stadium which has always been a place of event in good use while charging the people of the state to continue to pray until Imo State get to the promise land