By CHARLES IWUOHA

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has assured Abians and residents that nothing will distract his administration from delivering dividends of democracy to them, reaffirming his unapologetic stance that the essence of Government is the welfare and the happiness of the people.

Governor Otti gave the reassurance on Monday, 27th October, immediately after the weekly State Executive Council meeting, when he received in audience the Abia-born cyclist, Mr. Wisdom Chisom, who rode a bicycle all the way from Lagos State to Abia State, in honour of the Governor’s visible and impactful achievements across the State in record time.

“We are happy that our people are happy because the essence of government is to make your people happy – that is the welfare of the people. We will continue and will not stop.

“We want to thank our people for the massive support everywhere, not just in Abia, but everywhere that our people are. And, we want to reassure them that nothing will distract us and that we will continue to deliver dividends of democracy to our people.”

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha and made available to journalists in Umuahia.

The Governor, who didn’t know about the cycling journey of Mr. Wisdom Chisom until he was informed at the close of the Executive Council Meeting by the State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananba, welcomed and thanked Mr. Wisdom for the honour.

He encouraged him to keep being a good citizen wherever he finds himself, noting that Abians stand out in anything they are doing wherever they find themselves.

Earlier in his speech, Mr. Chisom Wisdom, who hails from Nunya in Isuikwuato Local Area of the State, where Governor Otti’s administration is presently reconstructing the 11.5 Kilometer Nunya-Eluama Road after being left in a deplorable condition for many years, said that he couldn’t believe the transformation taking place in his place the last time he visited.

In his words, “Most times when I go online, I will see things happening, I read them, and I will be like Wow! So, we really have somebody like this in the State. The last time I came to my village, I couldn’t believe it. I was like, is this place really Nunya or is it a new place? I was impressed.

“When I went back to Lagos, I kept seeing things going very fast. Not just when you say you want to do this, after sometime, you will say that you have forgotten. Things are changing with speed. If you go to Umuahia Tower now, you might not believe it, because there is light everywhere.

“I was seeing traffic lights, I was like, wow!” Mr. Wisdom, who could not hide his joy and excitement, stated excitedly.

“And I said no! I will cycle all the way from Lagos State on a bicycle. That Bicycle, when you see it, it’s not just a bicycle, it is a symbol of honour to you. Thank you very much, Sir. We really appreciate what you are doing in the State, Sir.” Mr. Wisdom emotionally stated, amidst applause.

The Abian-born Cyclist concluded by saying, “2027 is assured sir because you are doing a great thing,” adding that even Governor Otti’s picture on his T-Shirt elicited the excitement of policemen on duty who gave him easy passage at every security checkpoints, “When I was coming on the way, police officers will just stop me and say, he is a good Man! Just go.”

Mr. Wisdom disclosed that he left Lagos on Monday and arrived in Umuahia, the State capital, on Saturday (weekend), and insisted that he must see the Governor to pay his homage.

Governor Otti was joined by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kau, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Past Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, and other members of the State Executive Council in receiving Mr. Wisdom Chisom.