By Okerafor Athanasius, Jalingo
Jalingo-based building materials merchant, Chief Uchenna Obidiukwu, who is also Special Adviser (SA) to Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, has pledged to train the youth in the state in commerce.
Chief Obidiukwu, popularly known as Uche Obi, while expressing joy over the appointment, pointed out that it was a spur for him to do more for the people of the State.
Obidiukwu, founder of Uche Obi Investment (Nig) Ltd., who stated these while speaking exclusively with our correspondent in Jalingo, the state capital, pledged that he will impact positively on the lives of the people of the State by training some youths in trading.
“I will also ensure that the youth are empowered and encouraged to be independent, self reliant, through skills acquisition.
“God has used me to build houses for some residents, making them landlords in Taraba. Owing to my little assistance, some are owners of filling stations, and I also want to tell you that God has used me to set up a school here in Jalingo called Redstars International School (RIS).
“Orphans in the society are the most beneficiaries of this school because I give them scholarship, put food on the tables of their parents and smiles on their faces,” he said.
The businessman, who owns chains of businesses across the State, was among the 746 new governor’s aides recently appointed by Gov. Kefas.
An Anambra-born business mogul, Obidiukwu, who told our correspondent that Gov. Kefas appointed him as his SA on Building Materials, added that Taraba State has indeed been a blessing to him and his family.
“My coming to Taraba state is not by accident,” he added.
He added: “As a successful businessman in Taraba, to justify the gesture God has blessed me with, I have given appointments to thousands of youths from the state who have the capacity to work, not minding whether you are Ibo, Yoruba, Hausa, Muslim or Christian.
“I work with very serious-minded individuals, those who are focused and really want to better their lives and those of their families.”
As an Adviser to the governor, the building materials merchant said, in collaboration with his colleagues, he gives positive advice that would help the governor transform the State.
According to him, the sort of “advice that will align with his Moving Forward agenda remains the priority.”
“Now that Gov. Kefas has recognized me to be part of his cabinet, I promise not to fail him but to justify the confidence reposed on me,” he said.
Obidiukwu, however, called on the people of the State to stop criticizing and condemning the policies and programmes of the state government, imploring them to rather criticize constructively and objectively.
Obidiukwu described criticisms and condemnation as instruments of destruction and failure.
“Let’s be patient with Governor Agbu Kefas; pray for him to succeed, he has good intentions for the people,” Chief Obidiukwu advised.
