It was all praises for President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday at Onitsha, Anambra Commercial Centre, when leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Imo state Governor Hope Uzodimma and Ohaneze Ndigbo led by its President Ambassador George Obiozor inspected the progress of work at the Second Nigeria Bridge.
One after the other, personalities from both sides spoke glowingly about President Buhari and the love he has for Ndigbo, prompting Uzodimma to declare that the Igbo would have a rally in honor of Buhari.
He said the rally would have been held long ago but for the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
He led Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Mines and Steel Uche Oga, Minister of State for Education Emeka Nwajiuba, former governor of Imo state Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Andy Uba among others.
He said, “Today is a special day that has offered us the opportunity to inspect and take ownership of the bridge.
“We, as Igbo, had made this request for the construction of this bridge many years ago without success even at the time of uninterrupted oil production and oil sold at 100 dollars per barrel.
“Nations are built by heroes. Every country must have its own hero.
Bhari is the hero of this gigantic edifice
He said there was no past leader of the country that would point at any single project it executed at N366bn in any part of the country as being expended on the 2nd Niger Bridge.
He added, “The contactor is a world-class contractor, the Julius Berger. We are going to go to town to spread this story. We shall hold a national rally to honor and thank Mr. President for this gesture.
“Igbo, especially the people of Anambra State should go to town with town criers to ask people to register with the APC; we can’t get it better anywhere. Ndigbo does not need any persuasion. Go and tell those still in the bush with den guns that the war has ended.”
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu described the bridge as” a promise made and a promise kept, adding “We are happy that President Buhari is keeping the promise. Mr. President has done everything to ensure that the project is realized by chosen a good contractor and dedicating funds for it.
“Every part of Nigeria will benefit from it. There is no how our people will not patronize APC. We will continue to work until we occupy Anambra. They don’t need any persuasion in Anambra.”
The National President of Ohanaeze, Prof George Obiozor, thanked the president for doing such a massive project in the geopolitical zone.
The Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by the Anambra State Federal Controller of Works,Andy Uba gave a background of the project saying that the project had employed no fewer than 20,000 workers.
Ajani also said that the project has reached 55.82 percent completion and would complete in 2022.
