By Amos Aar
THE Benue State deputy governor, Engr Benson Abounu, on Monday pledged that he will start doing developmental projects for Idoma communities when he leaves office on May 29, 2023.
Engr Abounu made the pledge at the commissioning ceremony of the Judith Ogwa Obla Kidney Center on Monday in Otukpo. The kidney centre, built, equipped and donated by the Godwin Obla Foundation to the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) in Otukpo LGA of Benue State.
Engr. Abounu, who commended the donor, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, for sacrificing his personal resources to provide development to his people, said on his part, his hands are tied not to do such projects because of the office he has occupied until he will leave office.
“They say, if the mountain cannot come to Mohammed, Mohammed should go to the mountain. If they cannot give us what we need, let us try and do it by ourselves.
He advised the deputy governor-elect, Sam Ode, to be careful when he assumes office on May 29, 2023.
“My friend, my brother, my compatriot, the one that I’m going to handover to with all pleasure, I want to give you one piece of advice that was given to me by somebody. When I was going to the office, he said remember PWD.”
Abounu who refused to explain to the gathering the meaning of PWD however promised to tell Sam Ode the meaning of the acronym when they see privately. In Nigeria, PWD is often used as abbreviation for ‘people with disability.’
“You must have patience in that office you are entering and you must cultivate some level of wisdom, and lastly, you must be determined to succeed as a second figure.
“When you enter there, you will discover that there are a lot of things you would wish to do for your fatherland but the moment you start, all kinds of interpretations [will start].
“I’m very happy that on the 29th of May, I will gain my independence and I will start to do what I want to do for my fatherland.
“What Obla has started doing is a symbol of development for the Idoma nation. The development of the Idoma nation lies in the hands of the Idoma people. If you don’t do it, government will not do it for you,” Abounu asserted, adding that minority is not sickness or a disease but God’s creation.”
In a goodwill message at the occasion, Benue State governor-elect, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, said he was not surprised that Chief Obla built a kidney centre to serve humanity. According to him, the legal luminary only proved and exemplified what he preached to them during the 2023 electioneering campaigns when he was consulted for support.
Fr. Alia said when they visited Chief Obla to seek his support to enable them win the governorship election, he complained bitterly about leadership failure in Nigeria and Benue State in particular which he said has put the state in jeopardy.
“He told us that when you become governor and deputy, you are not going to see me in your office. But he told us the gospel truth about the failure of leadership, failure of government.
“So, I’m not surprised that he has put this centre together first in remembrance of his dear wife and to serve humanity,” Alia said.
Responding, Chief Obla, who is the founder of the Godwin Obla Foundation, appreciated Engr Abounu, for his financial contribution to the success of the project and wished him well as he exits office come May 29, 2023.
