Professor Uche Ikonne, the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for governor in the state of Abia, has reaffirmed his commitment to creating a successful Abia that is based on participatory governance and youth development, arguing that the youthful energy, skills, and potentials are essential components needed to make an intelligent Abia that will work for everyone.
Ikonne also stated that his administration will prioritise rural and community development while speaking with Abia youths at the Michael Okpara Auditorium during a programme hosted by the Abia State Ministry of Youth Development to commemorate International Youth Day in 2022.
Speaking on the theme, “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a world for all Ages,” the PDP governorship flag bearer, represented by his running mate, Philips Okey Igwe, noted the family as the first layer of interaction that matters, with a call to pay more attention to it.
Igwe, who counselled the youths not to allow the circumstances of their birth to determine their future, said there are two WHATS that matter (Hard work and grit). He further indulged the youth in imbibing the value of dignity in labour, clearly understanding that there is no substitute for hard work.
He also said that the substance of running participatory governance with effective youth content is to adequately prepare the nation’s present/future leaders by putting them in a vantage position to harvest experience in practical governance principles, which will lead to the industrialisation of the economy and create an Abia that will work for all.
The event was declared open by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr Eze Chikamnayo. It was chaired by the Abia Central Senatorial District PDP Flag bearer, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd).
The Director General and Uche Ndi Abia Campaign Organisation members, the Executive Chairman Isuikwuato Local Government, Chief Chima Agbaeze, Deputy Chairmen for Umunneochi, Eze Jubilee, Ikwuano, Cokey Lordson, Bende, Hon. Promise Uzoma Okoro, Nkiru Sylvanus, and Kalu Ikeagwu, among other dignitaries, were present at the event.
In a related development, Prof Ikonne has said that if elected, his administration will declare rural or community development a priority. Statistics have shown that over eighty per cent of Abia’s population live in rural communities with inadequate infrastructure and other development indices.
“I will increase the level of attention that road, education, health, transport, and other critical infrastructure, including other developmental indices, receive in our rural communities and reduce to the barest minimum the disparity and lopsidedness in development between the rural and urban areas.
“I will ensure increased skills and capacity, wealth creation, self-discipline, responsibility, and material well-being of people in the rural areas,” Prof. Ikonne promised.