By Chukwuma ShaFT AMaram (Polemics).

Call it Gregorian generosity, act of benevolence, supreme spirit of the “good Samaritans”, corporate social responsibility/responsiveness, magnificent magnanimity or philanthropy or whatever descriptions appeal to you.

You would never ever be judged wrong to apply or use any of the aforementioned descriptive adjectival phrases, to qualify what Professor Gregory Ibe, Chancellor, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State; His Excellency, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Governor, Abia State, accomplished recently, respectively.

From the perspectives of individual initiatives, to the credit of Professor Ibe, and institutional initiatives, on the part of Governor Ikpeazu, unquestionably, net results, ultimately are the same effects: alleviation of well-being and welfare needs of Abians, measured in palliative terms.

The impactful outcomes of these initiatives unarguably are

Enormous, holistically.

One of the sublime mantras and cardinal teachings contextualized in the canons of major religions is the persuasive appeal to be our fellow brothers’ or sisters’ helpers and keepers, in a literary sense, especially the needy or less privileged in our midst.

Any wonder the indefatiguable icon, Chancellor of GUU, Professor Ibe; His Excellency, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Governor of Abia State, selflessly, dutifully examplified and practicalized the virtuous dictum, doctrine, and duty espoused in the scriptures, recently to mark the 2021 Christmas Season; and the new year 2022 celebrations.

In keeping with his well known tradition of philanthropy; age-long custom of the spirit of benevolence of yuletide; Professor Ibe gladdened the hearts of Abians by splashing gift items in form of food stuff, specifically 3277 bags of rice, distributed among teeming Abia populace in 292 ABSIEC electoral wards, in 17 component LGA’s of Abia State.

In addition, 600 bags of rice were made available for the benefits of corporate entities as the beneficiaries.

Shortly after, either by sheer coincidence, or spurred on and motivated by the spirit of admiration, for the exemplary pacesetting singular individual initiatives of Professor Ibe, Abia first citizen, His Excellency, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Governor of Abia State, triggered another noteworthy response, resulting essentially in the heartwarming announcement of Abia State government to mobilize and commence the distributions of rice commodity in the LGAs, similar to the grand initiatives solely sponsored by Professor Ibe, as individual undertaking.

By means of these highly commendable initiatives of His Excellency, specifically designated and designed as noble manifestation of the spirit of love and kindness, Abians, thereof, have been showered with gift items, as veritable boon to mark the beginning of the new year, 2022, and to cushion or lessen the adverse, pervasive impacts of the hard and harsh, economic circumstances of the present times.

His Excellency, Governor, Ikpeazu, by appreciation and complementing through the Abia State government’s responsive supplementary initiatives, has again, demonstrated his unquestionable capacity or willingness to readily adopt, appropriate and embrace accordingly praiseworthy altruistic initiatives, especially initiated by responsible and responsive Abia citizens.

Additionally, His Excellency, Governor of Abia State, has amply demonstrated and proven the necessity of the core essence of promotion of mutual synergies, particularly between the State government and eminent citizens and personalities; including corporate citizens or organizations domiciled in Abia State.

It is a thing of great joy to note accordingly, John Wesley eternal principles is taking firm roots in Abia State.

John Wesley, renowned clergyman, articulated his principles or philosophy designed to improve the lot of mankind, to be practiced by his contemporaries, as well as every generation, ours inclusive.

John Wesley rule enjoins or requires every human soul, rich or poor, to act nobly and beneficently as outlined herein:

“Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can”.

His Excellency, Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, very much like his visionary counterpart, Professor Ibe, despite the enormous demands posed by other salient and highly pressing challenges, in terms of prudent allocations and judicious use of available resources, motivated and propelled by the spirit of magnanimity, acted in accord with the dictates or disposition of Wesleyan philosophy.

For this singular brave, commendable kind dispositions of the iconic duo: Uri Abia, Professor Ibe; Oke zuo Abia, His Excellency, Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Abians, indeed, with profound sense of gratitude, are immensely grateful to these two great personalities.

Bravo, Professor Ibe;

Bravo, His Excellency, Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.

Long Live Ndi Abia,

Long Live Abia State,

Long Live God’s Own State.

With abiding love, peace, and unity, Abia marches on with bright prospects in 2022.