THISDAYonline

When Governor Orji Uzor Kalu (M.O.N) recorded distinction in various indices of development in the National Media tour assessment, no discerning Igbo nor Nigerian was surprised at the glorious result. It was obviously success foretold. Right from May 29, the day he was sworn-in as executive governor of Abia State, Kalu had left no one in doubt about his vision and mission for a greater Abia nor a better Igboland.

Inspite of the relative lean resources that accrued to Abia State from the Federation account, Kalu had managed against all odds to bring the dividends of democracy to the greater majority of Abia people. The results are there for all to see.

In Education for instance, even before the Media tour, the able administration of the Action Governor had refurbished so many dilapidated school buildings, most schools had been supplied with science equipment, books and other facilities that enhance conducive environment for academic pursuit. Ask students and lecturers of Abia State University. To crown it all, since the inception of the Kalu administration, teachers have been receiving their salaries regularly and promotions effected as and when due.

Recently, the Governor Kalu-led administration flagged off under the chairmanship of Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (Former Chief of General Staff), of free education for Primary/Secondary School in Abia State. Today, no child in any Primary/Secondary School in Abia pays fees for education any longer. There has been jubilation all over Abia State since the programme was launched a forth night ago. Parents and guardians are already ecstatic and grateful to this God-send administration. Perhaps this is one of the most astounding achievements East of the Niger in this fourth republic.

For the umpteenth time, it has been said that, Aba Roads hitherto unpassable, has been restored back to the enviable state of the Mbakwe era, by Governor Kalu. Today, residents of Aba are ready to fry dry, anybody who wants to tell them, anything in the contrary to the glorious era of Orji Kalu. Before this time, most of the roads in the vibrant commercial city of Aba were unpassable. People have to park their cars kilometer's away and wad down in pools of water to reach their homes especially during the rainy season.

Today, the story is different. Kalu and his team have confronted and overcome the supposedly hydra-headed problem. Aba is now back to its glory as the best planned city in West Africa pre-Nigerian Civil war. Same for Asaga Ohafia Road that passes through the door post of our honourable Minister for Transport.

In Agriculture, the Kalu administration has also excelled. Since inauguration, through an agricultural loan scheme, rural farmers have been encouraged to upgrade their farming facilities, fertilizers have been modestly made available to farmers. the Ukwa Oil Palm Estate has been rehabilitated and sharpened for effective production of the much needed edible and industrial resources. Seedlings of various crops, fingerlings of fishes and day-old chicks have been supplied to farmers at a regular and affordable basis. Sometime in early 2001, Gov. Kalu had launched the 'plant a tree?' project. That programme in due course will mature and Abians will be better off, enjoying the wonderful era of Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

Inspite of all these resounding achievements, detractors and doubting Thomases like Chief Onyema Ugochukwu (NDDC Chairman) still lurk around. These are people who will not want to see anything good about their fellow man. When eminent persons from other ethnic groups and zones such as the African Newspaper publishers (Publishers of the Tribune stables) are giving Kalu award as the best performing Governor in Nigeria; Onyeama Ugochukwu is saying that Kalu is not qualified to run, as governor in 2003. When all the permanent secretaries in Nigeria are awarding Kalu honours as the best all-round Governor in Nigeria, his hand picked deputy Governor - Abaribe is struggling to rubbish these diamond achievements. Many well-meaning Nigerians have asked the question, why is Kalu not qualified? As far as the records show Kalu schooled and sat for his W.A.S.C examination at government college Umuahia. His class mates such as Mr. Dan Ajomiwe, Sonny Ikwuagwu, Dr. Nwogu are still living witnesses to this testimony. Though the matter of qualification is as dead as the dead sea. When the time comes, perhaps these enemy of the people may want to change or sneak a new requirement for the office of governor into the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But as a matter of fact, majority of the democracy-loving Abians and Nigerians will resist any unholy disqualification of any popular candidate on the basis that he has nobody to speak for him/her at Abuja. As far as an aspirant has W.A.S.C., is a Nigerian, of age, has not been convicted before by a law court of Nigeria et all, such a Nigerian is qualified to aspire to be governor or president.

So for any one to talk of qualification or perhaps present his own fabricated requirements outside the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, it is ultra vires and must be instantly condemned considering the shame associated recently with our electoral Act. Nevertheless, the good people of Abia are vigilant over characters like Ugochukwu and his cohorts.

Once more, it will be obligatory to congratulate Governor Kalu and his victory team, for their resounding achievements so far under three years of their government in Abia State. Although the achievements recorded are far-reaching, they are not exhaustive of the problems and yearnings of Abia State and Igbo land in general. There are more to be implemented to make the state, God's own state as it is fondly called. With time and by the grace of God this is yet morning on creation day.

I know and I believe that considering the vision and achievements of Slok Nig. Ltd., Slok U.K. Ltd. and Slok U. S. Inc. that was brought to bear in the governance of Abia State as a reservoir of experience, managerial capability, Abia State has not seen anything yet. As we march along gallantly and highly expecting an overwhelming electoral victory at the 2003 elections, Gov. Kalu and his great team have more of the dividends of democracy to deliver to Abians.

Kudos to Mr. Distinction, Kudos to Grand Commander of free education in Abia State, Kudo's to Olileanya Ndigbo (The Hope of the Igbos').

Nwadike rites from Lagos.