Nigerian business mogul Valentine Ozigbo’s bid for the governorship of Anambra State got a massive boost on Monday, June 14, 2021, when he received the endorsement of a respected elder statesman, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the first executive governor of Anambra State
Dr Eziefe, popularly known as Okwadike Ndigbo, announced the endorsement when he played host to Mr Ozigbo at his Asokoro residence in Abuja. Ozigbo is the first aspirant in the Anambra governorship race to receive such a high profile pre-primary endorsement.
Present at the event were the former Anambra first lady, Mrs Grace Ezeife, Air Vice Marshall Canice Umemwaliri (Rtd), a former information minister; Pro (Arc) Favour, the general overseer of Covenant of Love Ministry; Mrs Ifenyinwa Ezenwa, a market leader; Hajia Halilu, National Market Woman Secretary-General, Tagbo Okeke, Engr Nwachukwu Okeke, Engr Ebubedike Ezeife, son of the former governor; Engr. Chris Umenwaliri, and High Chief Edozie Ezeugwa.
Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife was elected governor of the newly created Anambra State in 1991. He served from January 1992 till November 1993 till the Third Republic was truncated by the Sani Abacha-led coup. Dr Ezeife went on to serve as Presidential Adviser on Political Matters to President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Fourth Republic.
While addressing the gathering, the Havard educated Ezeife confessed that he was awed by Ozigbo’s profile and presentation and that the business mogul was exceptional among his peers.
“Val made a presentation and I was swept away. Many people have impressed me, but he (Val) more than all the others,” Dr Ezeife said.
The respected political leader revealed that he consulted widely and carried out a thorough assessment of all the aspirants in the field before deciding on Ozigbo, who he said stood “head and shoulders above others”.
The former governor also revealed that he had met with other Anambra leaders at various times and “took decisions that favoured him (Ozigbo)”. He went on to declare his record of integrity when he served as Anambra governor, saying, “As governor, I did not convert an inch of Anambra land to my property. I did not take one kobo belonging to Anambra State. Anambra doesn’t pay me any pension, my allegiance is not for sale, and I have nothing to hide.
“Whenever I ask people how the polls are going, they mention your name and two other names. I remember addressing 13 aspirants here in Abuja, and I was drawn to you immediately,” Dr Ezeife told Ozigbo.
Dr Ezeife further prayed for the success of Ozigbo’s ambition to govern Anambra State and shared some words of advice.
“Since all power becomes to God, may it please the Lord, that you become the next governor of Anambra,” Ezeife said has he placed his hands on Ozigbo, the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc.
In his remarks, AVM Umemwaliri expressed excitement at the future of Anambra with Valentine Ozigbo as governor.
“I have studied his background, profile, and antecedence, and I am convinced that he is adequately equipped to take on the mantle of leadership,” Umemwaliri asserted.
“Ozigbo has not been associated with failure, so I was not surprised when Okwadike spoke to me regarding his governorship ambition and the need for us to support this project.
“Okwadike is a close ally, and when he supports you, it’s all the way. He’s not a fairweather friend. We are here for him to lay his hands on Ozigbo and bless him for the journey ahead. By the special grace of God, Val will be sworn in as the Executive Governor of Anambra State come March 2022,” the retired Air Vice Marshal prayed.
In his response, Valentine Ozigbo expressed appreciation and gratitude to Ezeife, and the other revered leaders who, he said, inspired him as a child. He noted that the occasion was symbolic because Dr Ezeife personified the struggle he is embarking on.
“I am offering myself to Ndi Anambra, not for selfish interest, but our collective greatness. I’m here so Okwadike can hand over the baton so I can continue the course he started. I am here to take the grand vision to a higher level of actualisation,” Ozigbo declared.
“I am thrilled and at this honour. Later this year, my father and mother will turn 93 years and 87 years respectively, so I fully understand the value of blessing from the elders.
“I am in the house of the first Executive Governor of Anambra State, and the first governor of Old Aguata extraction. I am also in the company of AVM Umemweliri, one of the highest-ranking officers of Aguata extraction.” Ozigbo remarked.
Ozigbo, a globally recognised Kaizen Champion, appreciated the elder statesmen for honouring him despite their busy schedules, pledging to make them proud with his stewardship of Anambra.
He echoed Dr Ezeife’s thoughts on the vast potentials of Anambra State, adding that Anambra could be the game-changer for Nigeria and the black race if placed in the right hands.
Valentine Ozigbo, who is widely regarded as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) frontrunner ahead of the November 6, 2021, governorship election, further promised to make the elders proud, as he would deliver ground-breaking projects and policies that would better the life of Ndi Anambra.
