Labour Party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, has rejoiced with the people of Abia State over its ongoing transformations, saying the sun has begun to shine on the state.
Baba-Ahmed stated this when he visited the governor, Alex Otti, in the state accompanied by Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka, who proposed building a world-class football academy in the state.
He said, “I rejoice with the people for this change they’ve secured for themselves. And, I call on them to continue to see us, myself and Peter Obi as their brothers and partners in progress.”
Baba-Ahmed said he came to introduce Onyeka, an indigene of the state from Umunneochi local government and his proposal to the governor and thanked Otti for the warm reception.
He extolled the government’s allocation of 20 per cent of its 2024 budget to education, saying the figure was close to the 26 per cent recommended by both UNESCO and the World Bank.
In a remark, Frank Onyeka, who plays for English Premier Clubside Brentford FC of England, said he was coming to establish the academy to complement what Otti was doing in the state.
“So, I’m happy to come back to invest in my home state; I also want to give back to the people. That’s why I am here,” the midfielder said.
Responding, Otti described their visit and the mission as good news, saying the proposed academy was coming when the government had opened its doors to investment.
“Interestingly, this is good news because they are coming to invest in the state. And all I am required to do is issue them a Certificate of Occupancy, which I will do in the next 48 hours.”
Expressing the hope that Onyeka’s gesture would be a moral booster for youths who wanted to become stars like him, he commended “ our distinguished vice-presidential candidate and Frank for the visit.”
