••Urges South-east to reciprocate gesture in 2027
By Chinedu Emeka
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has praised President Bola Tinubu for ending the long-standing marginalisation of the South-east region, particularly the Igbo people, in Nigeria’s political and infrastructural landscape.
Umahi made the remarks during a civic reception held in his honour by the Okposi Okwu community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State over the weekend. The community recognised him for his contributions to social harmony, economiempowerment, and infrastructural development within the area.
Historically, the Igbo ethnic group — one of Nigeria’s three major ethnicities — has often claimed political underrepresentation and infrastructural neglect by the federal government, fueling feelings of alienation in the South-east.
However, speaking through his spokesman Uchenna Orji in Abuja, Umahi commended the Okposi Okwu people for their commitment to social integration and economic progress. He thanked President Tinubu for “breaking the jinx of marginalisation in the South-east through equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy among the six geopolitical zones of the nation.”
Highlighting one of the president’s notable initiatives, Umahi pointed to his own appointment as Minister of Works — describing it as the first time a South-easterner has held the position since Nigeria’s independence. He also acknowledged the “numerous road infrastructural interventions” by the Tinubu administration across the South-east.
Umahi urged the people of the region to mobilise and support the president’s efforts by reciprocating the gesture at the 2027 general elections.
The event was attended by prominent figures including Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Senate President and ex-SGF Senator Pius Anyim, former Ebonyi Governor Martin Elechi, former Ogun Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, and APC South-east National Vice Chairman Chief Emma Enukwu.
Also present were representatives of the Governors of Anambra, Abia, and Imo States, Senators from Ebonyi, the Minister of State for Works Bello Goronyo, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works Olufunso Adebiyi, Deputy Governors, National Assembly members, former Senators, former Ministers, and other stakeholders.
Umahi expressed gratitude for the community’s warm reception and solidarity, acknowledging the support of friends and well-wishers who travelled from far and wide to attend.
In their speeches, the Governors of Ebonyi, Enugu, and Ogun States described the minister as a “great national asset” with demonstrated professional and public service excellence. They affirmed that President Tinubu’s appointment of Umahi to lead the Federal Ministry of Works reflected a deliberate effort to address Nigeria’s road infrastructure challenges comprehensively and effectively.
The chairman of the occasion lauded Umahi’s leadership journey, describing the award as a “recognition of hard work and excellence in public service,” and noted his tenure has been marked by resourcefulness and commendable stewardship.
