Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Friday, commissioned a road constructed by an indigene of the State, Evang. Dr. Samuel Maduka Onyishi.
The Governor used the opportunity to call on all other well meaning people in the State to key into his administration’s development agenda.
Onyishi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Peace Group of Companies, single-handedly sponsored the construction of the road project, which connects Umunkaka community with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Speaking at the event, the Governor said “we are here to commision this road constructed by my brother and chairman, Chief Executive, Peace Mass Transit, Chief Dr. Sam Maduka Onyishi.
“The project is intended to cement the relationship between the host community and the landlord, the University community and enhance transportation and other social economic activities in the area.
“The road, which is to be henceforth known as Samuel Maduka Onyishi Road comes as a welcome complement to our government’s urbanization initiative in Nsukka area.
“You will of course recall that at the inception of this administration we made our intention to equip and urbanize Nsukka, the University town, founded over half a century ago, to compete with other Universities in attracting technology and knowledge-based businesses and other industry support ventures, bearing in mind that Nsukka is the second largest town and city in Enugu State.
“By the grace of God, and as everyone can testify, we are delivering on that promise to make Nsukka significantly different from what is used to be when we assumed office.”
“In a special way, therefore, we commend Chief Sam Onyishi for adding value to this project, to the vision and benevolence of constructing this road, we urge all well meaning Enugu citizens to key into the rural and urban development scheme of the State government by carrying out similar projects in their respective locaties and various areas of operation.
“We use this opportunity to reassure the people of this state of our commitment to take development to all corners of this State”, he further stated.
Earlier, Chief Onyishi revealed that the Amukwa, UNN road and a similar one at Emene, in Enugu capital, cost him about N400m.
He revealed that he the sum of N1200 paid to his family in 1985, as compensation, by the University of Nigeria Authority, over their land, which is part of the University, was what changed the story of his life.
“That money was paid to our village for our cash crops because we are the owners of this place and the University had to pay us for the cash crop. The money was handed over to me by mother.
“So, we are here today because of the University of Nigeria; we are here today because my mother trusted me; we are here today because God said ‘my son, with this, you will make exploits.’
“Since 1985 that I started business with N1200 which was given to me by the University, I have never taken a loan.”
He further stated that “over the years, we have been maintaining the road, which led to the naming the road after myself, by Nsukka Local Government. Since then, this road has been on my hear. However, by the special grace of God, we are here today to witness the commissioning of the fully constructed about 2 kilometre road, with twin drains, spanning from Enugu Road, through Orba Road to the South gate the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.”
“This road is aimed at opening up access between our community and the University, we want the University staff to live in our community, we want the students to live in our community, we want the University community to do their shopping along our street so that our village will feel the impact of the University more than it has ever done before”, he added.
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