From James Ndubuisi Nwakpa
The Executive Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Council, Chief (Hon) Stephen Ebere Nwogba (JP) has organized a blissful Christmas party with all the workers of the council including those working at the four Development Centres of the area.
Hon. Nwogba who has always placed high premium on dedication to duties and effective service delivery, was spurred to organize a warmth and all embracing party as a way of promoting excellence in civil service work among the workers.
The event which was described as the first of its kind in the Council, was used to give awards to workers who have distinguished themselves in various ways such as punctuality, neatness, commitment to duties among others.
The most spectacular of the celebration was the recognition of a newly retired elderly man, Mr. Boniface Mbam popularly known as Onye Fee Eze, who was presented with a brand new motorcycle and appreciable undisclosed amount of money by the Chairman, for having served in the Council so diligently and honestly.
Onye Fee Eze who was also adopted to continue working as the sergeant at Arm (Arm Bearer) of Abakaliki Legislative Council was highly overwhelmed with the good packages of the Council Chairman, and prayed God to bless him and his entire family.
The climax of the event was the conferment of Chieftaincy title of Mmiri Na-ezere Ndi Oru 1 of Abakaliki by the workers as was officiated by the traditional ruler of Amegu Community, His Royal Highness, Eze Fidelis Nwonumara and his Ndiegu Okpuitumo counterpart, His Royal Highness, Eze Pius Nwangele.
In their remarks, the Head of Personnel Management (HPM) of the Council, Mrs. Janet Igwe and the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Abakaliki L.G.A Chapter, Comrade Michael Nkwuda, noted that the honour done to the council Chairman was in appreciation of his kind gestures and good working relationship between him and the workers.
The principal officers who were full of appreciations also observed that Hon. Nwogba has provided a very conducive environment for the workers to do well in their various departments and that he has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that there is dignity in labour.
The Vice Chairman of the Council, Hon. Mrs. Vivian Iyele, who expressed hope that the Christmas party celebration of this kind will be made an annual event, charged the workers to shun eye service in their daily routines and to always do the needful as the administration of Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba will never stop appreciating the good works from worker who are passionate and committed to their duties.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the Council, Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba said that the essence of the Christmas party was to thank God for the gift of life and to make merry for the success stories that the Council has recorded within the short period of his assumption of office, and added that the grace of God has elevated the Council to an enviable height.
Hon. Nwogba who has earlier declared every first Monday of the month a prayer day at the Council Headquarters Nkaliki, stressed that the progress so far attained wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the workers, the stakeholders and indeed the entire people of Abakaliki Local Government, whose supports and solidarities, he described as awesome and intriguing, hence the need for the celebration.
He thanked the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi, for the unprecedented development he has brought to the state and for his firm stand for equity, justice and fairness in the rotation of key political positions in the state.
In his goodwill message to the good people of Abakaliki L.G.A, the Council Boss who encouraged the people to remain supportive and to always pray for the glorious end of Governor Umahi’s administration also admonished them to be fully involved in the overall process that will lead to the emergence of Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru as the next governor of Ebonyi State because he has been tested and trusted.