[HOT] Abia@30: Charter Of Equity Remains Instrument For Fulfilling Founding Fathers Dream - Ezikpe

Ezikpe who is one of the pioneers in the creation of Abia state from old Imo state in 1991, stated this on Thursday, August 19, during a press conference as the state prepares to celebrate her 30th anniversary.

The elder statesman stated this amidst the tussle between Abia south, central and north senatorial zones on who should occupy the governorship position come 2023.

[caption id="attachment_110910" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Chairman, Abia State Advisory Council, Dr. Anagha Ezikpe[/caption]

"Thirty years ago on the 27th August, 1991 at the promulgation of the state (Creation and Transactional Provisions (No. 2) Decree No. 21 of 1991 by the then Federal Military Government of Nigeria, Abia State came into existence.

At 30 years, the child has grown from lying in the cradle to a full grown adult grappling with courage and all the challenges associated with statehood.ÔÇØ

Ezeikpe while speaking on the need for the Charter of Equity, regretted that the state House of Assembly was yet to approve and pass into law, a drafted bill on the charter of Equity sent to the House by the State Advisory Council.

One instrument still outstanding for fulfilment of the dreams of the Founding Fathers is the "Charter of EquityÔÇØ which was subscribed to and signed by all the representatives of the proposed state to be forwarded to the House of Assembly for enactment into law.

This document is to ensure that the Equity is applied in all transactions of Government in the state.

The Abia state Advisory Council had made representations to the Abia State House of Assembly for enactment of the provision of the charter of Equity into law without success.

We plead that pro active steps be taken to promulgate this Charter of Equity into law for completion of the aims, objectives and dreams of the Founding Fathers.

Describing "AbiaÔÇØ as divinely approved, he said;

"With the name ABIA divinely inspired and conceived by the Founding Fathers encapsulating the first alphabets of the Old Administrative Divisions of Aba, Bende, Afikpo and Isuikwuato District of old Okigwe Division of former Imo state from which Abia state was carved out.

At a thanksgiving service on the 26th of April, 1992, the first civilian governor of Abia State Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was equally divinely inspired to pronounce Abia state as : God's Own StateÔÇØ by which Abia state has been known locally and internationally.

The current and incumbent Governor, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, being the fourth civilian governor, has also been divinely inspired and motivated to add " ukwe AbiaÔÇØ - Abia Anthem, emphasizing the uniqueness of Abia state.

He lauded Governor Ikpeazu for "the noticeable advancement made in various areas of governmental activities, especially the relative calm and peace prevailing in the stateÔÇØ adding that;

"I hereby today also salute all the military Administrators and Governors who with courage and zeal, have piloted and tackled the myriad problems associated in the path of the growth and development of the state in the past 30 years. This situation also goes to the functionaries who assisted in the growth of the state.ÔÇØ