It was a gathering of dignitaries, clergymen, politicians, captain of industries, senators, as well as past and serving Governors during the 80th birthday celebration of Senator Chris Adighije. The event started with a Church service at Queen Elizabeth hospital chaplaincy Umuahia, while the reception took place at International conference centre Umuahia organised by Governor Alex Otti.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State said he had known senator Chris Adighije for his track records, consistency, brilliance and said that he is more than a good man.
Otti saluted Adighije for all his support since he came out to be the Governor of Abia State. He also agreed to have a second look at the demands of Abia pensioners and lamented that the leadership of Abia pensioners have not been sincere.
Otti says he is going to take a second look at the issues surrounding the agreement the State Government had earlier signed with the leadership of the Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) on defraying of the arrears of pensions owed by the PDP administrations in the State.
Governor was responding to the request made by the Chaplain of the Federal Medical Centre Chapel, Umuahia, Rev. Ernest Onyeukwu.
According to the Governor, he is happy that the man of God understood and narrated the actual thing that transpired between the Government and the leadership of the NUP and insisted that the pensioners are honest people but their leadership is where the issue lies.
“I want to thank you (the priest) for the positive comments that you made about the government. Thank you for calling our attention to the issue of pension that had become problematic and I want to thank you for being honest and that is what it is.
“You can’t agree on something and then come to say that you didn’t agree. You can’t sign and say you signed under duress, particularly for our senior citizens.
“I have maintained that our senior citizens and pensioners are very honest people, very very honest. The problem is with their leadership and the problem of the leadership has to do with their association,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti, who said that the preacher was correct in saying that no pension was paid in Abia State in 2018, recalled how the Governor deployed 10 Billon Naira in defraying the arrears of pensions owed by the past administrations.
“When you said nobody was paid pension in 2018, you are very correct. Not one dime was paid but the leadership of the NUP was part of the reason nobody was paid.
“So, even when they were going into an agreement with me, they probably didn’t believe that payment will be made. And when I made the payment, they now went round to say that they didn’t sign. So, that angered me but because you (Rev. Onyeukwu) have said it, I will have a second look at it.
“Since they talked to you, you should also tell them to mind who their friends are. Somebody owed you for over ten years, didn’t pay you and somebody comes and brings 10 billion Naira and puts on the table and pays you, and tomorrow, that person that owed you comes out to speak for you, you can see that something is wrong. So, please tell them to mind who their friends are.,” Gov. Otti instructed.
He described the celebrant as a good man.
Governor Alex Otti used the opportunity to commission Senator Chris Adighije Health Insurance Complex (SCAHIC BUILDING), a complex named after Senator Chris Adighije by the Board and Management of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
He commended the Board and Management of the FMC for honouring Senator Adighije and described him as a very good man, who is worth celebrating.
Earlier while presenting the complex to the Governor, the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi noted that the institution decided to honour Senator Adighije at his 80th birthday in that manner as a way of appreciating the role he played during his tenure as the Chairman of the FMC Board.
In his goodwill message, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma said Chris is a true brazier and a man everyone of them has one or two things to copy from.
Governor Uzodinma testified that senator Chris Adighije has done well and noted that senator Adighije has seen it all and wished him well, describing him as a best and brighter man.
In their speeches, the senator representing Abia central senatorial district, Austin Akobundu, Enyi Abaribe for Abia south, senator Nkechi Nwogu, David Mark among others described senator Chris Adighije as a likable person and a man of good heart.
The senators said that the celebrant has remains a good adviser, friend and prayed God to give him more grace to enjoy more years.
The minister of Finance and cordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun said senator Adighije has made remarkable achievements. While praying for more years with good health, the minister extended the message of president Bola Tinubu to the celebrant also thanked the chief CEO of Niger Delta company, and the daughter of senator Chris, Engineer Jeniffer.
In his sermon, the chaplain of Queen Elizabeth hospital chaplaincy Umuahia, very Reverend Earnest Onyeukwu charged people to be knwon for something good.
Onyeukwu observed that the accounts given before the celebrant showed that he had touched lives positively and encouraged others to emulate his large heart.
He identified that many have been known for their benevolence to others and urged Governor Alex Otti to continue his good jobs and reconsider the agreement with Abia pensioners.
In his message, the chief celebrant, senator Chris Adighije expressed joy that God has found him worthy to enjoy longivity with good health.
He thanked his family, the Church, friends and well wishers among other numerous groups for coming to celebrant him and prayed God to reward them with longivity.
Highpoints of the event were prayers for the chief celebrant, cutting of birthday cake and commissioning of senator Chris Adighije health insurance complex at federal medical centre to honour Chris Adighije as former board chairman of FMC built by the CMD, Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi.
