By Anayo Okoli

ABIA State new Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu was sworn-in yesterday with a plea to Abia people to be ready to make sacrifice as hard decisions would be taken by his administration to move the state forward. Ikpeazu who was sworn in at about 10.30am by the State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe however promised to take the state to a greater height.

Theodore Orji handing over mantle of leadership to Okezie Ikpeazu, the new Abia State Governor.

According to him, Abians would be ready to make sacrifice and be ready to pay taxes in the effort to move the state forward as his administration would run prudent government. Ikpeazu also promised to be firm in plugging all loopholes and revenue leakages just as he said that the state internally generated revenue windows of the state would be reviewed to make them better.

He devoted a lot of his speech to talk on Aba, the commercial city which he promised to regenerate and make it better and promised that in 2016, the artisans in Aba would produce uniforms for the nation’s security and para-military agencies as the Government would provide the enabling environment for them.

The Governor also promised to be wearing throughout his days in office made-in-Aba clothes just as he promised to encourage the over 110,000 shoe makers and over 100, 000 bag makers to ensure that their products attain international quality. Admitting that the task of governing the state would be “onerous and tedious”, Governor Ikpeazu extended hand of fellowship to those who contested the election with him, saying it was time to set aside their differences and work together to build the state.

He also commended the former Governor; Chief Theodore Orji who he said did a lot for the state, saying he was personally indebted to him. Earlier, in his speech shortly after he handed over the baton of leadership to Ikpeazu, Chief Orji said he was leaving Abia better than he met it, pointing out that Abia is well.

He however, said that the future of the state depends on the new governor and urged him to sustain the foundation he laid for the development of the state. The swearing-in which commenced at the state’s International Conference centre later moved to a water-logged Umuahia Township Stadium where an inter-denominational church service was held to usher in the new Governor.