BY NATIONAL PANEL REPORTERS
The Ebonyi Commissioner for Capital City and Urban Development, Chief Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, on Friday, won an award of excellence from the National Association of Independent Media Practitioners, NAIMP, for his contributions towards the rapid development of the State Capital Territory, Abakaliki.
The award was given to the commissioner by the association at his office, along Ezza Road, in Abakaliki town.
Speaking during the event, the National President of the asssociation, Comrade Nelson Nwefuru, said the award given to the commissioner was a well deserved one.
"If you go by his operational paradigm, you will understand that Nwebonyi has taken Ebonyi Capital Territory to a greater height.
"That's why we after all debates and criticism by our members, decided to honour him.
"This is because, any labour that uplifts humanity and dignity, should be honoured, we are here to honour you because of your outstanding performances," the President said.
In addition, the Daily Sun reporter and member of the asssociation, Mr Wilson Okereke, appreciated the consistent efforts of the commissioner to give the state capital city, a worthwhile structure, inspite of the wanton criticism by the residents since his assumption of his office.
"I want to tell you that we have two classes of journalists. The members of the first class, are people who find fault in everything. Those in the second class, are people who find useful news in everything. So, as God may have it, we belong to the second class of journalists, who see useful news in everything," he said.
He further explained that the event was not for a profit making, but said the association considered the award as a token which came out of their unbiased hearts, to encourage him, to perfect his office work, for the benefit of the people.
"I could remember vividly, former President Goodluck Jonathan, when he said, he was the most critized President in the world. This sounded funny, but he knew quite well, why he made the statement.
"Sir, if I'm not mistakenning, this particular office, might be the most critized in the whole of Ebonyi State. But what surprises most of us, including other journalists who are not even here, is that you've never relented till date, because of the unnecessary criticism.
"This particular ministry, as the commissioner in charge, has made your name a household one in Ebonyi State. It's only unborn ones, that will begin to contemplate about Chief Onyekachi Nwebonyi each time, your name is mentioned.
"We have seen the enthusiasm, in the course of executing the job, and this was exactly what made us to unanimously choose to celebrate your uncommon courage. Sir, you are doing well, and all the members of Independent Media Practitioners, are here to tell you that you shouldn't relent, but to keep it up!
"We've been able to understand what it means to say like father, like son, is actually manifesting in your life. This means, like Boss, like Servant; Governor David Umahi, people have called him, many names but what we cherish is the workaholic governor.
"I could recall why I said, you are like father, like son. When Governor Umahi came on board, he decided to go by his knowledge in his field, by repairing pot holes on the roads with concrete. The fact, it was new, the residents in the state turned to critics, nothing bad people didn't talk about the new development.
"Today, those who talked bad against the state governor of embarking on the construction of the concrete based pavement road, are complaining bitterly that none has not reached their communities.
"When Governor Umahi started construction of the flyovers, they called the project, misplacement of priority. Some other projects were tagged, cosmetic projects, but those who talked bad against Umahi, are now calling him Messiah. The same thing applicable to you Sir, because you're working like your Boss.
"Before now some roads and streets in Abakaliki, such as Afikpo road, others were holding a whole lot to talk, because of the traffic jams and too many others.
"I was surprised to hear from people that said you were not doing well, are now enjoying your numerous efforts to sanitize the state capital city. As I'm saying this, you're the first person to be given this token, because our members have been able to see some uniqueness in your service delivery since your appointment as a commissioner," he said.
Presenting the award to Nwebonyi, the reporter of News Point Newspapers and a member of the association, Mr Ignatius Soroibe, noted that the commissioner has distinguished himself by his style, and urged him not to relent in executing the ministry's developmental plans to the fruition.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Nwebonyi represented by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Comrade Chidi Iziogo, noted that it has not been easy to carry out his ministrial assignments.
He recalled that his Boss, Governor Umahi was equally called many names, while trying to champion the plights of his administration, and however, rejoiced over the landmark achievements by the governor, earning the state an international recognition today.
"When we came from the PDP, the governor defected to the APC, for reasons very clear, the party was hijacked by cabals. It was thrown off from the centre, and it was made a private business - with due respect, we said no!
"We fought tirelessly, but those who owns the party could not allow us to save it, and we have no other option but to follow the governor, by defecting to the APC.
"Governor finding us worthy of the efforts we made in the party, brought this appointment that we should oversee the activities of the ministry.
"The governor was already aware of the rots going on in the ministry. The writs of dilapidation, bad structures going on here and there. He said, I have seen a man who will help me to sanitize the city in the person of Chief Barr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
"We came on board and live up to the responsibility, though, it has not been easy, but we have been dogged to sanitize the city.
"It's on record that before we came on board, that cases of building collapse, were emanating here and there. But when we came with the help of town planners headed by Mrs Esther Nwite, we began to work hard, to ensure since we came to office, no case of building collapse recorded.
"Every year, there's always a report on outbreak of flooding around the town, but has been stopped. We make sure access roads, were given the size they should be. We've been persistently cleaning up the roads to be accessed by the users.
"Coming to the areas of transportation, we have got the highest of criticism. Reason being that the commercial drivers are majorly the hooligans, and when His Excellency camp up with the idea of centralized park, we had series of meetings with the stakeholders, and they applauded the governor, saying the idea is laudable.
"When the implementation started, the drivers made a u-turn, we had no option rather to enforce the plan. Those things we do, especially the relocation of the motor parks to the Central Park, is what posterity will not fail to judge us, if we fail to do it," Nwebonyi said.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Oko Ogbonnaya Egwu while congratulating Nwebonyi, described him as an energetic leader, and maintained that the award would spur him and the workforce of the ministry to be more committed in delivering excellent service to the state.
