Abia State Governor,Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has received the League of African Development Students (LEADS) Merit Award of Excellence as AFRICA’S MOST OUTSTANDING GOVERNOR of the Year 2019, in recognition of his Pan Africanist Patriotism, remarkable Strides in leadership, and selfless service to the people of the state and Africa in general.
Governor Ikpeazu also received the Corporate Mandate Delivery Award on behalf of the State Executive Council of the Abia State Government.
The League of African Development Students (LEADS),an umbrella body for all democratic Students Unions in Africa which started since 1985 at the Bayero University, Kano (Nigeria) with the objectives of sensitizing her members on the Development Best Practices,is present in over 15 countries of Africa including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Tchad, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Kingdom of Morocco, Ethiopia among others.
Speaking during the presentation of the award to Governor Ikpeazu at Government House Umuahia,the leader of the delegation and President of LEADS,Comrade Morgan Gabriel,hinted that the award came on the heels of an online poll between Governor lkpeazu, and Governor Ali Hassan Joho of Mombasa County in Kenya, Eastern Africa,pointing out that Governor lkpeazu’s economic development policies, provision of vocational jobs, boosting economy and putting the youths off the street and out of crime, gave the Governor an obvious lead.
He commended Governor Ikpeazu’s administration for it’s unwavering commitment in promoting the Aba Made brands globally, the Enyimba Economic City Projects and Human Capacity building, massive infrastructure development,Agriculture revolution,massive progress in Education, Healthcare, Security among others.
“Our Recipients for today. Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has alongside his
indefatigable State Executive Council of the Abia Government and entire expanded leadership structure, prominently participated in entrenchment at a robust Investments driven economy to create jobs, improve economic growth in Abia State in tandem with global best practices,pioneering Africa’s Quest for robust Development with manifold achievements, placing him heads and shoulder’s higher than his contemporaries”.
Comrade Gabriel on behalf of the LEADS,also thanked Governor Ikpeazu for his unparalleled relationship with Students and Youth Leadership structures in the state and beyond and urged him not to relent in his good works.
Responding, Governor lkpeazu said he is encouraged by the award, assuring that it would spur him to do more in service for Abians, Nigerians and the African continent at large.
Ikpeazu who noted with delight that his silent achievements in areas of creating enabling future for the youths were being observed ,said the burden of leadership and responsibility on the leaders today goes beyond being able to make life more comfortable but also to create a sustainable future for the youths and generations unborn.
He said his administration has carved a niche for itself especially in the area of youth empowerment, Education and job creation for the younger generation through various projects and polices of the state government adding that the Enyimba Economic City Project will create over 700,000 jobs for the youths in Abia,South East Africa and the world beyond and called on Nigerians to give the project their total support.
The Governor while expressing confidence that the youths of Africa will change the narrative of the African continent, said that as their patron, he will continue to make them proud adding that he is ruthlessly determined to purse his vision for the state, Nigeria and the African continent at large.
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