Hon. Okeke, 324 Others Receive Certificates Of Return From INEC As HoR Members 

…To pay WAEC, NECO exams fees for constituents

 

Newly elected member for Okigwe -South  Constituency,  Federal House of Representative in the February 25 elections, under the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Rt. Hon. Jonas Okeke along with other 324 elected members on Wednesday, received certificates of return at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, as presented to them by the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Okeke, a former Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly told our correspondent after receiving the certificate that the victory is dedicated to the unity, peace, and development of Okigwe- South constituency.

Okeke who harped on the need to support the youths who are leaders of tomorrow through education and employment, announced that he will takeover payment of WAEC and NECO registration fees for students in Okigwe-South.

Hon. Okeke, popularly known as Uncle Joe, thanked his closest rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Deacon Chike Okafor for the large heart he has exhibited in his show of sportsmanship by congratulating hm on his victory at the poll.

While reaffirming his appreciation, he noted that”My own brother, Dcn. Chike has proven detractors and enemies of our people wrong by sending congratulatory message to me.

“He has reminded me that this indeed is a hard-fought victory for all of us, that God has a hand in everything that happens to us as humans. He has also promised to lend me his support to move our constituency forward.”

He  stated that, “I take responsibility for those who may have spoken rudely to him during the electioneering even though I never supported such.

“Election, we are all aware is submitting ourselves to the people to accept us to serve them. The people have chosen me at this time to be their chief servant, not because am the best or most qualified of all the others of my brothers who have indicated interest to serve, it is grace and favour of God that played out.

 

“My assurance is that I will go to any length to get what belongs to Okigwe-South, they all voted for the growth and development of our area regardless of party, even those that did not vote for me are all parts of my constituents and project.

 

“I make bold to say that there shall be no dichotomy in the provision of gains of democracy to our people. I will work with the state governor, distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, as my governor who sits over the wellbeing of our people and others in authority regardless of party affiliation for the betterment of our dear state.

 

“I will work well with whosoever becomes Speaker of the house. I will also work excellently well with the president of the federal republic of Nigeria for the interest of my people.

 

On the need to invest in education for the youths in the state, he reiterated that”I will take over payment of West African Examination Certificate (WAEC) and National Examination Council(NECO) exams registration fees of all students of Okigwe south henceforth. At worst, ‘ll take loan to achieve this, it’s a covenant. My God I serve will not disappoint me.

 

“I will not segregate, there will be equal development and employment chances for all communities of Okigwe-South. I will live a legacy. I will work out modalities to offer children from the 31 electoral words scholarship which will be for the poor of the poorest because the essence of governance is to impact life.

 

“I will create room for massive employment to reduce crime.

 

“We will support and revive vigilante of the old in our communities. Survival is not a rocket science. We need to rediscover ourselves. By so doing, our sons and daughters abroad will feel free to come home and develop  our area rather than stay in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja whenever they are in Nigeria.”

 

On infrastructure, Hon. Okeke who is a federal Surveyor; who has carried out several federal government gasline piping in most northern states of the country promised to liaise with appropriate federal and state agencies to get the Mbakwe road built at all cost.

 

“Dee Sam Mbakwe is a pride to us in Okigwe-South. It’s an aberration that a road named after him will be at such dilapidated state.

 

“I will stop at nothing to make sure that the road is brought to perfect state. If it means being sarcastically being tagged a weeping reps member, so be it.

 

“The Isinweke-Onicha/Uboma – Ezinachi road must be completed. I will excavate the file of that project wherever it’s hidden. The road and the bridge we will do our best to get it completed. Whosoever that is standing on the way to it’s realization, am sorry for such a person.

 

“We will get our own share of government employment slots to our people especially in juicy areas as oil and gas, Central Bank of Nigeria, and very many other agencies of government.

 

“Imagine that we have gas companies/gas loads in places like Umueze or Uzinomi or any other part of Okigwe-South, they will come and build roads and provide other amenities in the area as part of their Cooperate Social Responsibility(CSR).

 

“We would no longer be going after banks, they  will come on their own to establish in our area, telecommunication companies will come. I know that banks go to money, money does not go to banks.

 

“We will attract local and international aids to our rice farmers in Mbano, Uboma and Obowo. Also, we will encourage genuine farming/farmers to reduce unemployment and provide food for the teaming Imo populace.

 

“We will make sure our able bodied men and women are not idle, because idle mind is devils workshop. When one goes to work in the morning and comes back in the evening, the person will get tired, such fellow would not have time to think and engage in crime,” Uncle Joe stated.

The incumbent speaker of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila also was among those who received their certificates of return.

 

By Kachi Victor