…celebrates Eid al Kabir with Muslim Community in Ebonyi State
By Dele Ogbodo
In a bold move to free years of heavy congestion at Emene road nexus in Enugu State and to give impetus to competitive development into the South-east heartland, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has justified the construction of a Mega Flyover Flyover bridge in Enugu State.
The Minister made the disclosure while inspecting the ongoing construction of a 23-span mega twin flyover bridge at Emene in Enugu State.
Meanwhile, the Minister has urged Nigerians to reflect on the religious significance of Eid al-Kabir and the reinforcing values of sacrifice, gratitude, charity and compassion, devotion and unity among one another, and quest for national harmony which are the hallmarks of the Festival of Sacrifice celebrated by the Muslim faithfuls all over the world.
The Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, in a statement described the flyover bridge as the best thing that never happened to the people of Enugu and neighbouring states until the coming on board of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Tinubu, who saw the need to decongest the traffic ridden axis of Enugu city to give way to stronger socio-economic competitiveness within the region.
He said: “It would be recalled that the road with links to many suburbs within the State and the neighbouring States has for many years been a nightmare for vehicles, some of which ply the route through Benue State to far parts of Northern Nigeria and some others to parts of South-south through Cross River State.
H added that the administration of President Tinubu thought it expedient, in keeping with his agenda of robust economic revolution for a sustainable future of our country, to construct for Enugu State a mega twin flyover that will beat the elegance and utility of all flyovers ever built in South East.
He said: “This flyover, when completed, will change the face of Enugu State, attract trade and investment to the State, reduce accident and insecurity, improve safety and increase patronage to the economic facilities, including Airports in Enugu and Ebonyi States and that of other neighbouring states.
According to him, the President means well for Nigeria and is determined to revolutionize the economy through road infrastructure development.
The Minister has this as a task that must be accomplished. He knows the job. His passion to deliver is unequaled.
In his passion to work day and night, workdays and public holidays to meet the desire of Nigerians in having an enduring network of road infrastructure that will stimulate Nigeria’s economy.
He added that the Minister of Works, His Excellency, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, made it today, Sunday, 16/06/2024 to Enugu State to inspect some Federal Government’s projects in the State.
This is coming after his marathon inspection visits to some Federal Government’s projects in Lagos State, including the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway yesterday, where he announced the decision of the Federal Government to reduce the entire corridor of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, from phase two, section two of the coastal route to effective pavement of 55km including the train tracks.
Upon arriving Enugu State, the Minister visited the ongoing reconstruction of the collapsed New Artisan bridge at Enugu-PH Expressway, Enugu Capital City.
MINISTER CELEBRATES EID AL-KABIR WITH THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN EBONYI STATE
The Minister has therefore urged Nigerians to reflect on the religious significance of Eid al-Kabir and the re-inforcing values of sacrifice, gratitude, charity and compassion, devotion and unity among one another, and quest for national harmony which are the hallmarks of the Festival of Sacrifice celebrated by the Muslim faithfuls all over the world.
He gave this advice when the Muslim community in Ebonyi State and other stakeholders came to solidarize with him in his residence in Abakaliki on this important holiday in the Islamic calendar.
The Minister commended the sense of unity and love among the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba communities who are Muslim faithfuls in Ebonyi State and charged them to continue to support and pray for the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is working magnificently to return the country to the part of honour and glory.
He further urged them to continue o support the administration of the Governor of their host State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who has remained inclusive and steadfast in the discharge of his People’s Charter of Needs. “President Tinubu is trying very much to help this country. We know that things are hard. And if he doesn’t do what he’s doing, in the future, we may not have a country called Nigeria. So, the much his disciples can help, they try to help. That’s why I rushed home, so that I will join my government, to assist you people, to buy food, to celebrate. And so, I want you to pray for Mr. President and pray for our Governor.
In Ebonyi State, there’s no discrimination, whether Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba or other tribes. We are one people.”
Similarly, the Minister celebrated with former State Executive Council members and other stakeholders who visited to bid him welcome to the State on the sallah holiday.
He charged them to continue to be very loyal, responsive, and supportive to the administration of Mr. President and that of the Governor of Ebonyi State, noting that the APC administration at the Federal and State levels is working concertedly and inclusively to meet the yearnings of Nigerians. “Let’s try to know that we are a community of one people. Let’s try to know that North, South, Central is just for the convenience of our political administration.
Let’s be united, for if you are segregated, you are not helping the government.” He commended the State Government and the stakeholders for the peace in the State. “I want to commend you people and commend the government again for the peace that is in the State. And I want you to continue to support and pray for him.”
In his response, the spokesman to the Muslim faithfuls, Alhaji Idris Datti Suleiman thanked the Minister for his usual sense of benevolence to the Muslim community.
He particularly thanked him for the huge Sallah gifts and donations he made to them, ìncluding the women, youths, and others whom they represented in the visit.
He assured the Minister of the unwavering support and solidarity of the Muslim community in Ebonyi State to the administration of President Tinubu and that of their host Govermor.
“Permit me to say the truth. I was born and brought up in Ebonyi. I grew up here. We have so many Ministers since the creation of Ebonyi State to date. No one has shown such a kind gesture as you, the Minister of Works.
Not any Minister has ever invited the Muslim faithfuls in his house to celebrate a Muslim festival. In fact, your own is quite unique because you invited us at a time that every Nigerian needed help. Thank you sir”
