2015 EDITION Vol.3 Issue 11 DIGITAL

The Man on a Mission
Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu: The Governor on a Historic Mission
Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, governor of Abia State, Nigeria
It is a common assumption in many quarters that
the majority of the electorates in Africa generally
vote for the money or the highest bidder, as some
would say.
It is not unusual in Africa that
politicians virtually “buy” the
masses to vote for them only
to dump them immediately the
political aspirants are voted into
power. If that would be the typical
African way, then Dr. Okezie
Victor Ikpeazu, the newly elected
governor of Abia State, Nigeria
might as well be described both
as un-African and unorthodox.
Since being sworn into office on
May 29, 2015, Governor Ikpeazu
has radically taken a different and indeed unique route in the area
of governance. He has clearly defined his tenure and made his
goals well known to his people through his actions. He started by
radically slashing unnecessary expenses, including reducing his
entourage and personal salary, an unusual act in the Nigerian political
arena. Unlike in Nigeria, where it is a norm for politicians to
celebrate their first 100 days in office, the humble fiscal conscious
governor opted to rather inspect the projects he set out to implement
in the state, thereby saving the state millions of dollars in
wasteful party celebrations. It is far from the truth for one to think
that governor Ikpeazu skipped the traditional celebration because
there was nothing to celebrate. Definitely, not the case. In fact, the
governor has done much more to ask for more celebrations.
Born in 1964, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, a renowned biochemist
who got his PhD at a ripe age of 30 is not only a highly acknowledged
Public Servant, as he has demonstrated that states can
achieve much when governed in a meticulously organized manner.
Within three months in office, Dr Ikpeazu increased the revenue
of the state from a mere N500 million to N1.5 billion through the
introduction of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). With
the introduction of Integrated Payroll Verification System (IPVS),
which has successfully captured the biometric data of all the civil
servants in the state, the governor clearly stamped his fiscal discipline
in the state. Gone are the days when scandalous elements
created Ghost workers, and eluding the state and Nigeria in general,
billions of dollars annually.
In 2010, prior to his election as the ninth Governor of Abia State,
Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu was appointed Chairman, Governing
Council of Abia State College of Health Technology, Aba, during
which he facilitated the accreditation of three critical courses in the
institution. The recent launching of the Education for Employment
scheme (E for E), aimed at training youth in vocational education,
shows the importance the governor - who gained admission into
the University of Maiduguri at the tender age of 16 – has attached
to the grass root education in the State.
Whether during his tenure as General Manager of ASPIMSS or
as Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia State, Dr Ikpeazu has
proven himself a good administrator. He has brought this enviable
quality back to Abia State as governor.
Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu knows that Abia State can achieve much
more in a collaboration with others, hence the State is leaving no
stone unturned in its efforts to attract both local and foreign investors
to the state. With juicy incentives for investors and huge support
from the State, Dr Ikpeazu
is equally encouraging Abia in
diaspora to invest in the State.
Having successfully completed 27
road construction projects within his
first 100 days in office, Dr Ikpeazu,
the former General Manager of Abia
State Passengers Integrated Manifest
and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS), has
quietly demonstrated that he has
what it takes to tackle transportation
problems in his State”
Knowing that every investor
needs a safe and profitable
environment to operate, Abia
State has made security a top priority.
Recently, the Governor has
issued a directive that every new
road in the State must come with
a street light. Furthermore, the
hardworking governor is actively
busy trying to reactivate the existing
street lights in most parts
of the State. Through the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development
Commission (ASOPADEC), the State is massively busy with
the constructed of power which is vital not only for investments,
but for state productivity as well as to eradicate crimes.
Having successfully completed 27 road construction projects
within his first 100 days in office, Dr Ikpeazu, the former General
Manager of Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety
Scheme (ASPIMSS), has quietly demonstrated that he has what it
takes to tackle transportation problems in his State
The health sector is not neglected either. In a special arrangement,
the administration of Abia State entered into a partnership with a
Private Hospital Management Firm, whereby the firm provides two
Health Centres in each of the 3 Senatorial Districts in the State with
drugs and other medical requirements at the standard fees. This
will make health care affordable to many in the State.
Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, sees himself as a mere servant of his people,
simply because he believes he was voted in to serve. A man of
humility, the hope of Abia and pride of his people, we salute you, a
new breed of leadership.
Kata kata cartoon magazine
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