Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has enjoined Abians to set aside political affiliations and build team spirit and unity to realise the Abia development agenda.

Ikpeazu made the call during a meeting held at the Abia State Governor's Lodge in Abuja between himself, Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelama, and Abia State Caucus in the National Assembly as well as some members of the State’s Executive Council and legislature. The meeting was held last Wednesday with the sole agenda of forging common front for the rapid development of the state.

Speaking at the meeting, Ikpeazu, who identified team spirit and unity as the basic tools for development, also said that the interest and development of Abia State was paramount for all Abians and should be placed above other considerations, including political affiliations.

The governor, who also used the occasion to host and honor Abia-born Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Enelama, remarked that if Abia leaders, stakeholders and Elder statesmen work together, they would leave indelible footprints in the sands of time.

While commending President Mohammadu Buhari for the appointing Enelama as Abia State’s representative in Federal Executive Council, Ikpeazu described the minister as a detribalised and well-grounded Abian who would represent the state well.

He observed that so far, the Minister has always ensured that the state does not lose out in what was due to her and charged him not to relent.

The Governor also described the nomination of another Abian, Obinna Emeka Agbugba, as an Ambassador-designate, as a good omen for the state and expressed hope that he would also be a good ambassador of the state.

He praised Senators and members of the House of Representatives from Abia for their support to his administration and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in order to leave positive legacies for future generations and take Abia to higher heights.

In his comment, the immediate past governor of the state and the Senator representing Abia Central in the Senate, Chief T A Orji, commended Governor Ikpeazu for bringing all Abians to join him in the development of the state, assuring the Governor of the support of NAASS members from Abia.

Senator Orji also described the appointment of Mr Enelama as that of “a round peg in a round hole” and urged him to cooperate with the governor and other Abia leaders, including Stakeholders to enable him to succeed.

Senator Orji also urged the minister to see his appointment as a call to service and assist in the area of job creation, pointing out that unemployment, hunger and poverty were the basic problems of the people.

Responding, Enelama, who described Ikpeazu as a visionary leader with a listening ear, promised to work with him to bring the governor’s visions to accomplishment.

In their separate remarks, Elder statesmen Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, charged the minister to ensure its judicious use of government funds while he strives to achieve tangible things for the state. They enjoined him to always consult other Abians, including civil servants, professionals and political leaders, assuring that they would not misguide him.

The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Martins Azubike, in his remarks, thanked the Ikpeazu for the forum which brought them together and prayed God to inspire the governor the more while giving him the wisdom and knowledge to steer the ship of Abia to an enviable heights. Azubuike reminded the minister that Abia was the Japan of Africa, hence the need for him to use his portfolio to bring in investors. He further stressed the need to sustain and add to the achievements of the past administrations at state and federal levels.

Other dignitaries who attended the event included Ambassador-designate, Emeka Agbugba, senators, Abia House of Reps members, some state executive council members, among other distinguished Abians.

•Photo shows Dr. Ikpeazu, Abia state Gov.