All of us know what the challenges are today in Awgu LGA. We have talked about these for years, despite working so hard to overcome them. What was stopping us from meeting these challenges in the past– of course; is not the absence of sound policies and effective plans. What has consistently and constantly stopped us in the past is lack of political will to embrace and instill the value of productive governance, which we have started witnessing today under the TC Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Okolo, courtesy of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s timely intervention. That was also the reason for the emergence of Hon. Pedro Okwudili Nwankwo as the Peoples Democratic Party flag-bearer in Awgu for the forthcoming Council Elections in Enugu State, who is coming to consolidate on the already established pace for development, peace and political stability in Awgu.
For instance, the parochial culture of our politics in the past– the ease with which we are often distracted and debased by petty and trivial matters; our preferences for scoring cheap political points instead of rolling up our sleeves to build a working alliance and consensus in tackling our common challenges have caused many of us to look away in disillusionment and frustration. We all know of the maladministrations that befell our LGA in the past (yes, when the cynics, the lobbyists, extremists and other special interests turned our LGA into a game, a game only them can afford to play). Back then, they wrote pay-notes and we were stuck with the bills; they had the connections and we could only watch from afar, they thought they owned the LGA, though, was ours as well. Today, the courageous Gov. Ugwuanyi with the help of the good people of Awgu LGA are taking it back to the people. The time for old-fashioned politics in Awgu is over. It is time to turn a new page for the future. Gburugburu is a movement of the people, by the people and for the people. Gburus Carry Go!’
As it is, 2020 is a good starting point for Ndi Awgu. Let us be the generation that will reshape our LGA’ s economy to compete in this digital age. Let us set high standards for our prospective leaders and give them the needed support to succeed. Let us recruit a new army of volunteers and avail them the needed motivation. Let us make the processes relating to the call to serve more affordable to avoid proliferation of commercial mandates and unnecessary abuse of office. Let us be the generation that will bring poverty to an end in Enugu State, beginning with Awgu LGA. Let us be the generation that will ensure that our workforce is sharing in our prosperity. Let us make it possible for the hardworking Ndi Awgu civil servants to save for retirement. Let us be the generation that finally liberate our people from the tyranny of ignorance, poverty and illiteracy. Let us tackle our healthcare crisis by revamping our community health centers. Politics doesn’t have to divide us anymore. We can work together to keep Awgu LGA safe.
Too many times, after the elections, the manifestos are swept away, all those promises fade and the lobbyists and the special interests move in, while the masses that really fought for a just course are relegated, turned down, disappointed and left to their choice for survival. We all know – that Pedro’s coming is the occasion, the vehicle to our hopes and dreams. It will take our time, energy and advice to push Pedro forward when he is right and to let him know when and where to apply the brakes. Together we can make it happen.
Pedro’s coming is about reclaiming the true meaning of stewardship for the development of Awgu LGA. We know his government will centre on restoring our sense of common purpose and to make sure that the few obstacles can be withstood in order to hear the voices calling for a rebirth. The light shall be at the end of the tunnel in confirmation of the obvious fact that what binds us together in Awgu is far greater than what drives us apart.
The aforementioned are some of the reasons for Pedro Okwudili Nwankwo’s coming as the Council Chairman of Awgu LGA; not just to hold an office, but to work together with us to transform our Local Government.
I want Pedro to take up the unfinished business of perfecting our unity and restoring our peace.
The New Face of Awgu with Pedro – Together We Can Make It.
Gburus Carry Go!
*Onyima writes from Enugu*
