About half a century ago when I set foot at Umuebere in Umuobiakwa, in the then Eastern Ngwa County Council, my father, who was a teacher could not have thought and my mother who was a nurse could not have nursed the idea, that their tiny little son will be this elevated today.
In terms of means, they only had contentment. In terms of ideas, they only trusted in God. In terms of industry, it was only patches of farm land and the willpower that it shall be well.
It was evident that there were challenges but there was strong faith that it would be well. So they called me Victor. They hoped that victory over their challenges will come one day. Their faith was neither in wealth nor fame, not even in fate as non was immediately forseable. It was obvious that their faith was only in God. To emphasise that point, they named me Chibuikem. They knew that their strength to survive was in God. They trusted that God meant well for them in the gift of the little lad. So in their reflection, they named me Okezie. My parents wished themselves well and believed that God created me well for a purpose. But they had no idea that a day like this will come over a subject matter this memorable.
With all my names associated with divinity, I grew up to become conscious that I was to depend on God and not man. I have been favoured beyond compare. I have received assistance even from austere sources. I have been privileged to get unbelievable things with slim margins and in packages of surprise and quite often without evoking resentment because I can’t beat my chest over positions I didn’t achieve but are entrusted to me.
Through these years, I have straggled along life’s rough way, I have had this deep conviction that ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOR LED ME and I won’t ask for anything beside. And today, see the calibre of people who have come to join me and my family to thank God. What better persons can I ask for? God has glorified Himself in all these.
As I thank God who gave me breath, who planted me and laboured to see me full of growing; singing hosanna in the highest, I thank my parents too; both of blessed and current memory for convictions they planted in my heart and the drive with which they urged me on. I am grateful to all of you too, for the sacrifices you have made to make this day a ceremonial one.
As I end this remark, my family and I and every well meaning person from my root and branches want to place on record our gratitude to Chief T.A. Orji and family for reasons too obvious to mention and too numerous to recount. May God in his infinite mercies bless you.
Let me mention Elder Emma Adaelu and his fellow Elderstatesmen who have defied age and gave their all. Clubs, Associations and the great women of Abia State. I greet you all.
Let me conclude with special thanks to Distinguished Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the arrow head of the Ukwa / Ngwa struggle. An Elder brother of repute who like a father, decreased that I may increase. Your activities, are they not recorded in the annals of history?
Illustrious sons and daughters of Abia, great friends far and accross the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond. Our people in the Diaspora, it is time to come home, it is time to awaken the sleeping giant. Aba must rise again. It must be made a springboard that will bounce up all the other towns in the State. Not by my power nor by might but by the Lord that has led me thus far.
I am a bridge. I link the old with the young. I am the delegate of the poor among the wealthy. I do not plead connections. I plead compassion. I don’t look down on people. I look up to God. I plead with the offended and preach restraint to the boisterous that this is a victory bestowed unto us by God.
Come let us reason together. We can use your strength to supplement our weakness, your height to raise our depth, your reach to enrich our state. Together we can.
If there be anything remaining, be rest assured that God will see us through. May God protect you as you go to consider what you will do for the State.
Okezie Victor Chibuikem Ikpeazu
Governor, Abia State.
NB: Above is speech delivered by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu at a thanksgiving service hosted in his honour by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Union Headquarters, Abayi, Aba, Abia State on Saturday, May 30, 2015.