Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has been commended for the proactive manner he is tackling the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that the citizens are free from the virus.
Also, he received kudos for providing palliatives worth millions of naira to the vulnerable group as a means of cushioning the effect of the lock-down of the state.
The Abia North Integrity Group described the response of Ikpeazu to the crisis as “measured, realistic and in tandem with global best practices during such a turbulent time”.
In the statement by the Spokesperson, Chief Idika Idika Kalu Agwu, the group expressed happiness that the governor rose to the occasion as a “seasoned administrator and technocrat”.
It pointed out that Ikpeazu brought his experience as a scientist to bear on the decisions he took to safeguard the lives of Abia residents by locking down the state for two weeks in the first instance.
According to the group, the governor’s choice of churches and mosques as an avenue of distributing food and money to the less-privileged was a master-stroke aimed at ensuring that only the poorest of the poor got the palliatives.
The group also pointed out the customized jingles of the governor and his broadcast which touched the people because they viewed him as part of them, and described him as an adept crisis manager.
It appealed to wealthy Abia people, residents and corporate organizations to support the efforts of the governor by donating relief materials to the less-privileged.
The Abia North Integrity Group, which is advocating the retention of Abia Charter of Equity, urged those from Abia North to lead the way in offering succour to those suffering the effects of the lockdown.
According to it, “it is at a time like this that we know those who truly love our people. We must come together to protect the weak among us”.
The group counseled Abia residents to continue to obey instructions from the state government concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and prayed God to protect the people against the deadly disease.