By Regina Igwebuike :
The immediate past Principal Secretary (PS) to Anambra Governor during Chief Willie Obiano’s regime, Sir Willie Nwokoye and the former Anambra Head of Service (HOS), Barr. Harry Uduh have received a thank you recognition award for quality service delivery, calling for representation in government.
The event, which was organized by the Umueze Welfare Association (UWA) took place at the Eziegege Village Square on Dec. 26, marking the 45th Eze-Akaa festival.
Speaking during an interview with information officer shortly after receiving the award, the former Principal Secretary, Sir Nwokoye said that he was recognized along with the former HOS, Barr. Uduh for serving well in government and coming back fully satisfied that there was nothing that was due to Amawbia or Umueze Village that they allowed to pass.
“I want to use this opportunity to emphasize the need for every community to have a place in representation in government, especially where decisions are made.
“Barr. Uduh and I were in the Executive Council and we used it fully; so if you look around in Umueze Village for example, nobody will tell you that two outstanding sons were in Gov. Obiano’s government.
“Sometimes, they accused us of concentrating on Umueze but I said NO, because if you go to Enuoji Village, there is a spur; if you go to Umukabia Village, the road that connects St. Peter’s to the old road were all the arguments that we made in the Executive Council.
“So I’m feeling good that the two of us have left government and there are no effective replacement so that is why I’m urging and advising every Amawbia person not to play with the one they have still behind in government even if it is at the legislative.
“I’m making a case for Ozo Pius Chukwuma Okoye, so if there is nothing we will do, at least let us return him so that we have someone in that arm of government.”
According to Sir Nwokoye, it is good for us to remain in the Executive, Amawbia people should be making their case, the governor lives in the Government Lodge, Amawbia therefore, we have as a matter of right to have highly placed people in the Executive.
“Even if for nothing, the fact that this is the epicentre of the capital territory and the governor resides there, we should be given the first right of refusal to have senior appointment in the Executive arm of government.”
The former PS said that the event was well organized, noting that the number and calibre of people that attended the event showed that the UWA Chairman, Mr Sunday Nwokoye is reaching out, harvesting the network relationship that Umueze people have, leveraging on lots of resources and I know he is going to do well.
Also in an interview, the former HOS, Barr. Uduh said that unlike the biblical proclamation, a prophet is with honour in his own community when it comes to Umueze Village that is why our people are recognizing us today for the services we rendered to our people and to the state.
“We are happy, it is the recognition for what has been done and not recognition for expectations, that is the good part of it and we treasure it.
“This is an Umueze affair, we are happy that it is happening and happening successfully; You can see the Chairman of the occasion, a very accomplished educationist from Umueze; Amawbia have personalities and Umueze Village have accomplished personalities and we cannot hide ourselves.
“If we are more than one, we take whatever share that is due to us, Umueze is also the head in Amawbia, we take what is due to us without envying others.”
Barr. Uduh while thanking Umueze Welfare Association for finding them worthy for the recognition, prayed God for unity of purpose so that the village would continue to grow from strength to strength.
The information officer reports from Amawbia, Awka South LGA
