Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assured that all Abians who served the State meritoriously will be celebrated.
The Governor made the promise at a valedictory dinner organized by the Abia State Government in honour of the retiring State Chief Judge , Hon. Justice Onuoha Arisa Kalu Ogwe held at the Banquet hall, Government House Umuahia.
According to the Governor , the ultimate goal is for all hands to be on deck to serve Abia and make it great. He lauded the outgoing Chief Judge for the good working relationship that existed between the State Judiciary and the executive under his watch , noting that the peace, harmony and rapport between the various arms of government is legendary. According to him, peace is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of strength. He singled out Abia as the most peaceful State in Nigeria
He congratulated the retiring Chief Judge for his honesty and forthrightness in the discharge of his duties, adding that he would have kept him longer if it was within his powers to do so. According to him, the celebration marks the opening of a new chapter in the life of Justice Ogwe and assured that government would do everything to support him.
Also speaking, the member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Hon. Ben Kalu, stated that Justice Ogwe is a prophet with honour in his home town, saying that over the years he has been the pride of Bende. He also used the opportunity to thank the Governor for the robust relationship with the legislature as Abia is the first State to ratify the ongoing constitution amendment.
Speaking on behalf of the State Executive Council , the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem said the State Government enjoyed cordial and robust relationship with the Judiciary under Justice Ogwe .He said the State would continue to tap from his experience and described him as a gentleman per excellence.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uche Ihediwa, SAN, said the retiring Chief Judge deserves to be honoured having ascended the position when the Abia State Judiciary was in turbulence, noting that he was a stabilizing factor and contributed to developing the laws in the State. He described Justice Onuoha Ogwe as a quintessential jurist and judicial icon who stabilized the Abia judiciary and thanked the Governor for organizing the banquet for him.
In their goodwill messages, friends and colleagues of the retiring Chief Judge including The Chief Judge of Cross Rivers State, Justice Ekon Ekpema, the President, Abia State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Okey Nwamoh, Chief Okey Amaechi, SAN, Razak Lawal,SAN among others said the retiring Chief Judge is worthy of being celebrated. They described him as an honest, accessible and uncompromising Christian and jurist, whose life style has been a role model and thanked the Governor for honouring him.
In his response, the outgoing Chief Judge of the State, Justice Onuoha Kalu Ogwe thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who provided him a conducive atmosphere to work and finish strong and appreciated the gesture he extended to him. He thanked his friends from the Bar and Bench for coming to celebrate him and invited all to his Valedictory Session at the State High Court taking on Wednesday, 26th October 2022.
The event which attracted many dignitaries including the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, Judges of the State Judiciary, wife of the celebrant, Dr. Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, the PDP Governorship candidate Prof. Uche Ikonne and his wife, Lady Uzoamaka Ikonne who is the State Solicitor General, PDP State Chairman, Rt. Hon. Asiforo Okere, Commissioners, State Head of Service, Sir Onyii Wamah, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe, stakeholders, State CAN Chairman, Apostle Emmanuel Agumuo among others, featured music performances from gospel artiste, Lady Chinyere Udoma.
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