By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial standard-bearer for the 2023 election, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has promised to tackle the security challenges in the state if given the mandate come 2023.

Odii pledged to replace the Ebubeagu security outfit by deploying technology, free education, welfare of civil servants and employment on the people.

He spoke while receiving an award of excellence in leadership and humanitarian services from the Anglican Communion of Abakaliki Diocese during the 25th Anniversary/Dedication Ceremony of the Emmanuel Church Azuiyiokwu on Wednesday.

He assured of peaceful co-existence among the Ebonyi people, saying that under his watch as governor there would be equal treatment across the 13 local government areas of the state.

“As a governor, there will be peace in the land, there will be love among us, and our children will have access to free education. As a governor, the civil servants will go home smiling. As a governor, I will deploy technology to replace Ebubeagu to tackle insecurity. I have made these promises, and I will like you to check my pedigree, check my life and that will tell you what I will do for Ebonyi people,” Odii said.

Odii had earlier commended the Anglican Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, His Lordship Rt Rev Monday Chukwuma Nkwoagu and his members for the award, and disclosed that he chose to be touching humanity with his resources to give hope to the people especially the downtrodden.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate stated that he had built about eight churches including an Anglican church in the state, stressing that his indiscriminate life had made him freely give out to individuals and different organizations without tracing their backgrounds.

Speaking, Bishop Nkwoagu said that Dr Odii was nominated for the award based on his several years of sincere contributions towards the development of the society and his roles in the upswing of the church.

Reading the citation and a brief history of Odii, the National Vice Chairman of PDP in the South-East zone, Dr Ali Odefa, described him as a businessman and philanthropist with vast experience spanning over 22 years in building and managing businesses across various sectors.

Odefa also stated that Odi and his wife; had over 15 years built at least 130 homes for the indigents in the rural areas with eight churches and primary and secondary schools in the state, among other life-touching projects.

According to the PDP chieftain, Odii also has funded 500 start-up businesses, provided scholarships to over 1,000 students at home and abroad, and provided very medical screening and support to widows through his foundation.

Odefa added: “His great love of sports led him to establish the Anyichuks Unity Cup, a yearly sports tournament in his home town to encourage, empower youths and promote sports at the grass-root levels.

“In 2011, he built a 2.1 km Road in Magodo Phase after looking at the unbearable discomfort of plying the road within the community. In 2020, Dr Odii donated the sum of 150 million naira to the Ebele and AnyiChuks Foundation in support of the fight against the global pandemic, COVID-19.

“The foundation donated 20 million naira each to the Lagos state and the Federal Ministry of health respectively. Food items and relief materials were also donated to 33,000 low and no-income families across the South-West, South-East and South-South.

“The Ebele and AnyiChuks Foundation has consistently touched lives and brought hope to different underprivileged individuals through its contribution to entertainment, sports, education, health, religion and general well-being of the underprivileged.

“Aside from his passion for his businesses and his love for his family, he enjoys reading, swimming, keeping them fit and golfing course as he is an ardent member of several golf.”

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