Score card: Gov Otti turns Abia into tourists destination where people come to see testament of good governance…Eze G.C Ibeakanma
Score card: Gov Otti turns Abia to tourists destination where people come to see testament of good governance….Eze G.C Ibeakanma.
By: Sam Obinna Ibe
Umuahia.
His Royal Majesty,Eze Godfrey Chikwendu Ibeakanma, Ezeukwu1and the traditional ruler of Ezeleke autonomous community, Umuopara in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia state, unarguably is in a class of his own as a well respected royal father in the state.
As a royal father of the community,he has continued to serve as a reference point to those who came across him in one way or the other especially to the newly coronated traditional rulers to emulate his leadership styles often to the envy of contemporaries
who cannot help but admire the royal dignity with which he accords royal stool of his forefathers.
Eze Ibeakanma,observers say has brought uncommon rulership qualities to bear introducing development trajectories aimed at uplifting the image of community including establishment of Ezeleke Hall of Fame,meant for honouring prominent sons and daughters of their place, recognised with their brief profile, pictures etched on the wall at this palace. The recognition also included pothtumous honours to the dead heroes of the autonomous community.
Eze Ibeakanma can be likened to Dr Alex Chioma Otti (OFR,)our globally acknowledged performing governor who came already prepared and equipped for the art of governance, having left his lucrative banking job at the Executive cadre to join the murky waters of Abia politics in 2014 in order to rescue Abia state in the hands of political vampires who held it by the jugular.
Today,it is no longer news that three years in office of Gov Otti has witnessed remarkable achievements,Abia governor seen as one who came,saw and has delivered dividends of democracy to the applause of Abians and Nigerians alike.
Truly ,the outstanding performance of the ex- banker turned governor in just three years in office speak volumes,the praises on everybody’s lip,is that” Daniel has finally come to Judgement ”
Indeed, like the case of Abia Governor,HRM Eze G.C Ibeakanma Ezeukwu 1 of Ezeleke autonomous community from day one seen as one who came into the royal throne already prepared for the task ahead, emerging from being crowned the traditional ruler of an enterprising autonomous community as Ezeleke,having wealthy,educated and englihten people,he set foot to rule with distinction and and a role model.
Little wonder,26 years after, there are a lot of good testimonies from his people and others following this iconic tradition ruler that ascended the throne of his forefathers, is a blessing and a dream come true for the people of Ezeleke land nay Umuopara.
It may sounds incredible but that’s real,the year 2000, Ezeukwu 1 Ezeleke took the bull by the horn, having retired voluntarily from the lucrative Nigerian Customs Services( NCS) work to ascend the throne of his forbears.
The question that stares one in face is this,how many people will dare abandon such lucrative job from a well paid establishment and in officer’s cadre to opt for a royal throne that is not paid for?
In answering this poser underscores the kind of personality, Eze G.C Ibeakanma is, ensure the preserve of custody,traditions of his people, showing leadership class worthy of emulation.
Indeed,as the oldest indigenous traditional ruler in Umuahia South, having spent 26 years on the throne,Eze G.C Ibeakanma is one of the most respected traditional rulers in Abia state today going by how he carries himself in respect of the royal stool,his dressing style as colourful charismatic monarch,his outspokenness in any topical issues without minding whose ox is gored and lastly considers it as an anathema in conferring chieftaincy titles indescrimantly.
This reporter gathered that of the twenty six years Eze Ibeakanma has been on the throne,one can count on fingers tips, on fewer occasions he bestowed chieftaincy titles to deserving sons and daughters unlike what is obtainable elsewhere.
Perhaps these rare attributes may have endeared him to many of his admirers, individuals and governments that described the ezeleke umuopara born traditional ruler in glowering terms, calling on others to vemulate his legendary rulership qualities.
However,on Thursday,28th May,2026, His Royal,Dr Alex Chioma Otti OFR, Executive Governor of Abia state commissioned Tower – Onuimo road now renamed Uma Ukpai Way amongst other signature projects on that day.
Interestingly,Eze G.C Ibeakanma is the resident Traditional ruler whose autonomous community, Ezeleke starts from Amankwo,Abia Tower to Onuimo,as the traditional ruler of the area was on hand to received Governor Otti along side his brother traditional ruler,HRH Eze Paul Chukwunyere Egwu,the traditional ruler of Dikeukwu Ekenobizi,which is gateway leading to Onuimo,Imo state.
Speaking in an interview with journalists shortly after the historic event at his Umuojameze Royal Palace, Eze G.C Ibeakanma lauded the Governor Alex Otti for embarking and completing the 5.9 kilometers landmark road project with solar street lights and drainage system in record time.
He however noted that Gov Alex Otti has turned Abia to a tourists destination where people migrate to see testament of good governance.
Eze G. C Ibeakanma further added that projects attracted and executed by Gov Otti are scattered across the three senatorial districts in the state which he said are verifiable and speaks for themselves.
“I want to thank Gov Otti, Ekwueme Nigeria for starting commissioning this 6 lane landmark project dear to my Ezeleke community,to the people of Umuopara and by extension dear to all Abians, the Governor has come to build and commission projects,we have not had it this good, leadership and good governance since the creation of Abia state he came on board as our governor” Eze Ibeakanma said.
The immediate past chairman of umuopara traditional rulers council,Eze G. C Ibeakanma further pointed out that Abians will vote Otti massively in the forthcoming 2027 governorship election in the state.
“This is a man who will build and commissions projects,he will not ascribed his name as one behind the magic wand but will ascribed it to others to immortalize our compatriots ”
” This is a Governor who will executive avalanche of achievements across 17 LGA’s and you will not see his pictures in the billboard as to showcase as the brain behind the projects”
To this end,the royal father expressed optimism that Gov Alex Otti has towered above his predessors in delivering of good governance, adding that , Abia started experiencing good governance since 2023,he came on board, people seeing governance with human face, governance that understands the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
The foremost traditional ruler called on all others nursing ambition to be governor to bury same until Governor Otti finishes his second term in 2031,there and then,Abians can now begin to assess aspirants based on parameters set by performing governor of Abia state.
Eze G.C Ibeakanma used the opportunity to congratulate Hon Iheanacho Jacob Obioma,an illustrious son of Amachara Ezeleke Umuopara for his recent election as the National Secretary of Labour party,a national party in Nigeria.
Eze Ibeakanma described the elevation as a no mean noting that Hon Iheanacho Obioma popularly called” Chomen” as a political gurus expressing confidence that he will surely deliver while appreciating the governor as the national leader of labour party and other leaders for entrusting such a sensitive position to the hands of an Umuopara whom he said has paid his dues in politics and party administration while wishing best of luck.
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