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Develop Rural Communities, Okonjo-Iweala Tells Government

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Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former Minister for Finance has admonished government at all level to give extra attention to the development of the rural community in the country.

The former minister made this admonishment during the 12th bi-ennial home-coming (Ejealo 2018) and N25 million fundraiser for the construction of a craft centre at Umuda Isingwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia.

She asserted that development in any country cannot be possible if rural communities are neglected.

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She therefore urged Nigerians to go back to their communities, saying “this is the only way we are going to develop the country.”

“It is not just from the federal level but we have to start from the grassroots to support the people in the village.

“Everyone who belongs to a community has to help that community because the beginning of development in a country lies in a community,” she said.

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The minister was full of joy at the occasion as she appreciated her husband’s community for recognizing her for her meritorious service to the community.

She prayed for peace to reign in Nigeria as it geared up for the general elections, adding that God should see the nation through its difficult political period.

She said: “We want peace in the country. We want things to go well. We want lives to improve for the average Nigerians.

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“We are praying that 2019 will bring good things for Nigerians.”

Mr Emmanuel Onwuegbu, the President-General of Umuda Welfare Union, in his remark, “Ejealo Festival” was a period of reflection in terms of the community’s socio-cultural development as a people.

Mr Hope Uwaga, a board member of the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC), also urged Nigerians to always identify with their communities.

Uwaga advised political office seekers to “first of all be part of grassroots development” by contributing their quota to the development of their communities.

NAN reports that the event also honoured Mrs Rita Okengwu, Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Education, and Justice Amaobi Agbara, Justice of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state.