Ditch me if you Find a Better Candidate - Ozigbo
By Toby Chuks
Foremost governorship hopeful on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, for the 2025 guber election in Anambra State, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, has challenged the people of the state to support any other candidate they perceive as better than him.
Addressing top dignitaries from across parties and religious divides, as a guest of Osisioma Foundation, Saturday, October 12, at Osisioma Peace Lodge, Umunya, Ozigbo said he had all it would take to be the next governor of Anambra State next year and make Ndi Anambra proud.
Describing himself as a child of grace who came from a humble and disciplined background, the business mogul said his involvement in Anambra politics was driven by his passion to redeem the state and restore it to its former glory.
Regretting the state's current rating as the worst in security in the South East, Ozigbo said only the right person could steer the ship of the state to the right course with support from well-meaning people. He reiterated his commitment and capacity to turn around the state's fortunes for good with his experience in the financial and business sectors.
Ozigbo said the development of Anambra needed what he called sector approach, cluster approach and superb partnerships to achieve good governance in order to fully drive vital sectors like education, health, poverty eradication and security.
"These are the basic things needed to be done to put Anambra on the map but regretfully, the state has become unlivable due to high crime rate and becoming the worst in the entire South East," he said.
Ozigbo said it was unfortunate that those things that made the state tick were now used to troll it, despite producing such eminent figures as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu and Chinua Achebe. He said the state needed someone to restore it to its past glory in order to shine again according to his mantra of "Ka Anambra Chawapu".
"The development of Anambra State is beyond politics. Every hand must be on deck to make that happen and this is why we must collectively ensure that the right person is produced to harness the state's resources," Ozigbo who described himself as a product of nature and nurture, stated.
He assured the chairman of Osisioma Foundation, Dr Chike Obidigbo, that he would make him proud.
Some stakeholders of the Osisioma Foundation who were present included:
- Ichie Okwuchukwu Ezeaku;
- Ralph Nwike, the Director General,
- Comr Tony Edochie;
- Chief Mrs Pat Ugochukwu;
- Pst Nick Ibeh;
- Dr Ben Obidigbo;
- Barr Paul Okoye;
- Chief Mrs Goody Ogbogu;
- Rtd Col. Bude;
- Chief Mrs Udeogalonya;
- Dr Ifeyinwa Odegbo;
- Ifeyinwa Ilorah;
- Chief Hon Shedrack Anakwe;
- Dr Okwui Chukwuka;
- Adolphus Onyike;
- Bishop A. A Nwadike;
- ArchBishop Mike Chukwudum;
- Prof Mercy Anabogu;
- Mrs Adaeze Obieze; and
- Chief Eugene Nzomiwu, among others.
- Dr. Chike Obidigbo (Founder osisioma foundation)
On Ozigbo's entourage were Owelle Azuka Enemo, Chief Benjii Udeozor; Hon Uchenna Okafor (Wiper); Barr Oge Ekweozo; Chief Ejike Oguebego, Dr Tony Offiah, Ichie Sunday Ezeobiora, Chief Chike Nwaiwu, Chief Dan Iwuchukwu, Sir Christian Igwedimma, Hon Fes Ugwa, Dr. Miriam Alike, Mrs Concilia Enwelu, Hon Chinedu Ofomata, Ichie Victor Eze and Barr Emmanuel Obidigwe.
Others included: Dr Deka Ezeadili; Lady Wendy Atikpo; Mrs Chinyere Nwafonta; Amb Justin Kingland Ezeani (convener NNPO/ANVO); Mr. Chinedu Odozor, Comr Chris Enwereonwu, Chief Onyeanwuna Ezeani, Sir Izuchukwu Oraelosi, Nze Afam Okpalauzuegbu, Chief Victor Atanda.
Many current and former members of Anambra State House of Assembly were also present including Hon Jude Umennajiego, Hon Fred Ezenwa, Hon Justice Azuka and Hon Ebele Ejiofor.
Osisioma Foundation is an NGO geared towards engineering the economic renaissance that would encourage private sector operators and political leadership to contribute in shaping the political economy, creating the needed massive employment opportunities and empowering women. It is devoted towards eradicating the scourge of social, economic and political quagmire that have continued to dehumanize the mass of citizens of the Igbo nation, and guarantee their welfare.
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