Push for Umahi Presidential bid gathering steam as spokeswoman gives reasons why he should be considered

By Monica Chidinma Ada Eze

The Founder and President of David Umahi Nweze Akubaraoha Ebonyi Transformation Agenda (DUNAETA), a grassroot NGO based in Abakaliki, Monica Chidinma Ada Eze has reacted to the youth adventure in the politics of Nigeria through the #ENDSARS project, describing it as an eye opener and good proof to all that the future of the country lies in the hands of youths.

In a statement, Lady Monica, who is also Governor Umahi’s Technical Assistant on Media, expressed disappointment over the hijack of the #ENDSARS Project by those she described as ‘unconscious and conscienceless mortals’ who hid under the masthead of public demonstration to cause mayhem and wreak economic sabotage on the country.

Monica however expressed satisfaction that Nigerian youths have demonstrated genuine interest and capacity to take the country to higher heights when given the opportunity to steer the ship of state considering the timeless creed and patriotic zeal with which the exercise was conducted and the huge impact it has created on the polity.

Lady Monica, also known as Ada Ebonyi, said given the need to entrust the  leadership of the country to the right person with the right frame of mind, perception, mentality and most importantly, with the fear of God, Nigerians must look the the way of the outstanding youth friendly leader, His Excellency Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State.

Furthermore, she emphasized that only a governor with a divine inspiration, Godly perception, sound shrewdness, gross competence and tactful leadership mentality  could drive what she called ‘the uncommon transformation’ sweeping across Ebonyi state.

Lady Monica, a vibrant and full fledged youth in her 20s, occupying a sensitive position in the government of Ebonyi State, as one of the most respected Technical Assistants to Governor Umahi, enumerated twenty three reasons below why Nigerian Youth must adopt, as the next Nigerian President, Governor Dr. Dave Nweze Umahi, a divine tool, adequately stocked with the requisite leadership traits to proffer workable solutions to the myriad of challenges currently facing Nigeria:

1.

Ebonyi State Govt to Empower 2600 Youths with One Million Naira Each

It is unprecedented in the annals of governance in Nigeria by any Government to have taken this type of bold step geared towards lifting the youths from the dunghill of poverty and joblessness and empowering them to add value to society.

Accordingly, Governor David Umahi announced that the government of Ebonyi State has set aside a whooping sum of 2.6bn Naira to empower over 2,600 youths drawn from the 13 council areas of the state.

Reeling out the importance of the scheme, Umahi, the most Youth friendly Governor in Nigeria explained that there is an urgent need for youths to be economically empowered to fight poverty which is a breeding ground for all forms of restiveness. 

The governor further stated that the empowerment will go a long way in giving the youth sound economic footing because an “idle man” is, in popular parlance, “a devil’s workshop”.

Again and again, I call on the youths, the good, the bad, the ugly, we have 2.6bn. We want the local government chairmen, the coordinators, to identify these 200 people. Not when we ask you to do these, you go and write your brothers and sisters that are working or on government appointment. We need to take 200 youths in each  LGA off the street.

2.

Umahi Slashes Ebsu School Fees

This is another bold step taken to ensure that the youths are properly catered for. By slashing the school fees of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), more youths will enroll into tertiary education to get properly educated and become better citizens of our great country.

According to Umahi, the reduction is to assist parents to pay the school fees and prevent students from dropping out of school.

Excerpts from the Governor’s declaration reads: 

 “All non-indigenes of Ebonyi State University School fees are reduced by Ten Thousand Naira (#10,000.00) per student. 

“All indigenes of Ebonyi State in Ebonyi State University school fees reduced by Twenty Thousand Naira (#20, 000.00) per student,”.

Similarly, the state government had last week released all monthly subventions owed to Ebonyi State University and additional N200 million salary intervention fund.

The Governor said the total money released to the university management to assist it in offsetting staff salary is over N500 million.

3. Influncing the Appointment of the Youngest Local Govt Council Chairman In Nigeria

While in many climes, youths are reserved and used for thuggery and political intimidation but in Ebonyi State, youths are seen as priceless jewel. In this regard, Umahi made another great stride to prove his identification with the Youths of Nigeria when he influenced the appointment of a 27 old youth, Hon. Chima Okechukwu Ogbuagu an M.Sc candidate (Public Administration) from the prestigious  Abia State University, Uturu as the youngest Nigerian Local Government Council Executive Chairman.

The ABSU graduate made history becoming the youngest Local Government Chairman in Nigeria.

The common belief in Nigeria today is that the old saying “Youths are leaders of tomorrow” is a mirage which can be achieved only in the dream world.

Everyday experience in the country gives more reasons to support the view that there is no space for the youth as far as politics and governance in Nigeria is concerned.

Youths are seen as only relevant in political thuggery and snatching of ballot boxes during elections after which they are discarded.

His administration unarguably houses the highest concentration of young people as political appointees in Nigeria.

 

4. Umahi Is Tested and Well Positioned to Give Purposeful Leadership to Nigeria

This Zik Award winner for leadership and described as the wisest Governor in Nigeria by Governor of Abia State, Ikpeazu. As the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum he was demonstrated capacity for leadership that his towering feats have brought peace and improved relationship between the zone and the Federal Government. With his position as the Vice Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum and a great voice among his peers and colleagues the Youths need not go further in search for a capable leader to assist them actualise their mission and vision for Nigeria.

 

5. What the youths and Nigerians need now is a President who is computer literate and prepared for the challenges and proffer solutions to such challenges and luckily Gov. Umahi fits such a bill

6.  In demonstration of the youths inclination of this lover and promoter of the vision and mission of youths in Nigeria, with over one thousand appointees as Executive Assistants, Senior Technical Assistants and Technical Assistants 85% of the appointees are all youths below the age of 40.

7. With 34 member of the Ebonyi State Executive Council, 24 members of the Cabinet are youth’s below the age of 45.

8. With 13 Local Government Council Helmsmen, eight of them are all youths below the age of 50

9.With the completion of the yet to be commissioned International Mall the first of its kind in any State in West African countries, 75% of the shops and business outfits to operate in the mall are all reserved for the youths

10. Prior to now, Ebonyi youths parade the streets of Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Ibadan, Lagos and Abuja sellng wares and other items, but with the emergence of Dr. Umahi as the Governor of Ebonyi State has put an end to those sad experiences.

Youths in these towns have been allotted shops in the International Market commissioned and assumed to be the best in any State in the Eastern part of Nigeria.
< br />11. Aside the aforementioned, 85% of our youths benefit from the Agricultural policy of the State that has made the State one of the best in the area of Agricu lture in Nigeria.

12.Based on the spirit of equity, justice and fairness, the need of zoning the 2023 Presidency to the South East becomes imperative and none disputable

If this becomes the case seeing that with the eight years of the administration of President Buhari from the North, it becomes the turn of the South East seeing that South West through General Olusegun Obasanjo have their take for eight years.

The DUNAETA President postulated that with the overwhelming support the South East as a geopolitical zone has given the Peoples Democratic Party since its formation in 1999, zoning her Presidential slot to the zone is not only imperative but justifiable going by the principles of equity, justice and fair play and with what Governor Dave Nweze Umahi has achieved he becomes the light of the zone for this exalted position come 2023.

13. Apostle Umahi is a great Philanthropist who has used his Foundation, Akubaroah to touch the lives of the elderly and all segments of Ebonyians and offered scholarship to thousands of great youths of Nigeria.

14. Endorsement of Umahi by an American

According to Mr. Paul Own an American from the city of California who communicated his thought through TA Monica Ada Eze postulated: “Umahi deserves to be the President of Nigeria come 2023 but sadly most Nigerians are blind”.

Based on several endorsements by both youths groups and prominent Nigerian, Nigerians contrary to the assumption of Mr. Owen are no longer blind but have all agreed that UMAHI is the answer to the myriads of challenges facing us as a nation

 15 Empowerment for youths and widows has taken a new shape in the state, positively impacting lives of many. Today, many youths who were mere street urchins have become employers of labour through the rich empowerment programmes of the Umahi administration.

16 These and many more underscores the basis on which one of the prominent sons of South East, Chief Arthur Eze once advised President Muhammad Buhari, ”to look no further than the Ebonyi State Governor for a Nigerian President of the Igbo extraction if, and when the time comes. Apostle Dave Nweze Umahi, the wisest Governor in Nigeria has come of age and it is time for Nigeria to move forward with him”.

17. Umahis Is Now Well Positioned For the Task Ahead

With all these feats, I can happily and proudly state that Governor Umahi is the David of Ebonyi, the wisest Governor in Nigeria according to Governor Ikepazu of Abia State, this Zik Awardee for Leadership for a higher position in Nigeria has demonstrated his commitment to making EBONYI State one of the fastest-growing economies in Nigeria today.

Umahi’s feats in Ebonyi State has showcased him as the people’s leader as his remarkable feats within the past five years in areas of healthcare, education, security, agriculture, maintenance and dualization of Federal Roads particularly, the Abakaliki to Enugu and Abakaliki to Afikpo Express Roads, Construction of the Biggest State Shopping Mall in Nigeria, prompt payment of salaries to civil servants and pension to pensioners, the infrastructural revolution, “Ebonyi is truly blessed with an enigma and innovative leader as her Governor that one can easily postulate that the modernization of Ebonyi State has been achieved in our lifetime through Apostle Dr. David Nweze Umahi.

Truly and assuredly I agree with Mr. Paul Owen the American that Umahi deserves to be president of Nigeria come 2023 if we are to forge ahead positively. I hinge my postulation on the revolution which Dr. Umahi has ignited in transforming Ebonyi State to one of the fastest growing economy in Nigeria today

18. Endorsement by the Nigeria Youth Congress

The Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) domiciled under the office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President Muhammadu Buhari on Youths and Student Affairs, endorsed Chief David Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi state for the Presidency during the 2023 general elections.

Mr Nasiru Adhama, the SSA to the President on Youth and Students Affairs, made the endorsement during the inauguration of the group’s state chapter saying that Umahi is the man the country needs to change its fortunes.

The SSA represented by Mr Aminu Isyaku, said the congress inspected projects constructed by the governor across the state and were overwhelmed by the governor’s infrastructural strides and felt he should do same at the national level.

“We are propagating to the world that the Nigerian youths have the capacities to make Nigeria attain its set targets and Umahi is fit to do this with what we have seen on ground in Ebonyi.

He said that Ebonyi government is dominated by youths and that was what the youths were asking Umahi to do at the national level having realized that youths are the strengths of nations.

19. OYC Endorses Umahi

A coalition of Igbo youth groups and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC) have also endorsed Governor Umahi for the presidency in 2023.

The groups made the endorsement in a statement after their joint meeting in Abakiliki, Ebonyi state capital

The youths described the Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi as the best Igbo presidential candidate

According to their statement, they justified their recommendations on the argument that Umahi have been transparent in governance in addition to having proven track records of achievements.

The youth groups extolled Umahi as the best performing governor in the southeast region with evidence of infrastructural development in Ebonyi state.

20. Ibeto Endorses Umahi for 2023 Presidency

Business mogul, Chief Cletus Ibeto, has urged the South-east region to support Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state for 2023 presidency as through his disposition fits in for the position of President of the country.

“Anybody visiting Ebonyi state now will be amazed and full of wonder and admiration for what Your Excellency has turned this state into in just a few years. I am proud to be associated with you.

“Governor Umahi has initiated the use of cement in road construction, producing concrete roadways that would last a very long time and will be less difficult and less expensive to maintain. Over 300km of such concrete roads have been built.

“He has paid civil servants their salaries and allowances regularly. He has moved Ebonyi to become the rice basin of Nigeria. He has given education deserved special attention and this has resulted in unprecedented sharp increases in undergraduate enrollment in universities. He has moved Ebonyi state into the enviable position as the fastest growing state economy in Nigeria.

21. A coalition of Igbo groups and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) worldwide identified Ebonyi state Governor Dave Umahi, and others as potential presidential candidates in 2023.

22. Other Feats That Stands Out Gov Umahi as the Man with the Magic Wand to Change the Fortunes of Nigeria Around

“The Ecumenical Centre initiated and completed by Umahi’s administration stands out as one of the best places of worship in the entire West African countries. One of the best International Markets and motor parks in the entire Nigeria are completed coupled with the electrification of all the Local Government Headquarters of the State including major towns in the State. All the major roads to major towns and Local Government Headquarters are all being constructed.

She noted that “if Gov. Umahi could within less than six years turn Ebonyi State, hitherto known as dusty, most backward and epic center of guinea worm into the most developed State in Nigeria with ten massive and most beautiful flyovers to his credit unprecedented by any government in Nigeria coupled with the feat of constructing the most gigantic and beautiful Worship Centre in West Africa, then he is adequately fit to turn the fortunes of Nigeria for good.”

She added, “Every of his infrastructural projects has a classical touch. The Ebonyi Shopping Mall stands as the be st in any part of Africa. The Ebonyi International Airport is boasted to be among the best in the country. A visit to the new Ebonyi Government House is a tour to the wonderland.

“Today, Ebonyi State stands out as one of the State in Nigeria with concrete roads linking all the Local Government Headquarters. While almost all the States are engulfed with one security challenge or the other, Lady Monica said Umahi’s pragmatic approach to leadership has ensured the security of lives and property of citizens, residents and even visitors.”

23. Umahi as the Beacon of Hope for the Youths Come 2023

The DUNAETA President restated that if Nigerians are ready to changing the fortunes of this country to the dreams of the founding fathers and the aspirations of our youths, then Umahi is the man for the top job.

Ada Ebonyi further highlighted that, “If good governance and quality leadership with timely results is the yardstick to elect leaders, then Nigerians should waste no time further in wooing this new revelation of a leader to prepare himself for a higher position in the leadership of this country come 2023.”

With these and many more, Governor Umahi stands out as the beacon of hope for the youth and a new Nigeria.