Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi, has been described as an international figure, a trailblazer, a radical revolutionist, an asset to Nigeria and an example for others in leadership positions at all levels to emulate.

A grassroots NGO, the David Umahi Nweze Akubaraoha Ebonyi Transformation Agenda (DUNAETA), stated this while reacting to the Newark City Award conferred on the Governor on 3rd August, 2017.

DUNAETA in a statement issued in Abakalikion Mondaystated that the recent award from Hon. Ras Baraka the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, United States of America (USA) on Governor David Umahi has once again put the state in the international limelight.

“His emergence as this year’s winner of the coveted Zik’s Prize for Leadership as a leading light in the politics of Nigeria; his declaration as the wisest Governor in Nigeria by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; and the recent award by the Mayor of Newark now places Governor Umahi as an international figure.”

Lady Monica Eze who also doubles as the Technical Adviser (TA) on Media to Umahi further stated that, “I am so elated, proud and excited that I am an Ada Ebonyi as the tenure of my uncle, boss and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi has brought Ebonyi to international limelight.”

As a Nigerian born legal practitioner, Dr. Jude Obasi Nkama from Ebonyi State, made history on January 6th, 2017 as he became the first African to be appointed as a judge in the 349 year history of the Newark City and State of New Jersey, USA. Nkama, a former governorship aspirant in the 2011 governorship election in Ebonyi State got his license to practice law in the city of Newark in 2002.

The DUNAETA Boss commended the Mayor of the City of Newark for his recognition of two great sons of Ebonyi State, Umahi and Nkama and two other Nigerians, Hon. Ugochukwu Nwaokoro whom he appointed as the Deputy Mayor of the city and Evans Anyanwu, Esq. as Chief Prosecutor of the City of Newark and assured him that DUNAETA will reciprocate this kind of gesture and magnanimity by conferring on him a special award before the end of the year.

DUNAETA described Umahi, who doubles as the Chairman of South East Governors Forum, as “an asset to our generation,” adding that “the Newark award awarded to him is well deserved in view of his massive investments in security, welfare, infrastructure, agriculture, health and education in Ebonyi State.

“Gov Umahi’s style of leadership is truly unique and has the imprint of wisdom all over it. At a time when many other states are finding it difficult to pay workers’ salaries or meet other basic needs as a result of the economic recession in the country, the Umahi administration, despite Ebonyi’s modest resources, embarks on numerous road projects, flyovers, roundabouts, street lights and hospitals, while also executing a revolution in agriculture, as well as the educational and health sectors. This is in addition to regular payment of civil servants, who also get paid a 13th month by the State Government,” the group said in the statement.