The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji Sunday made good his pledge of assisting the family of Mrs and Mrs Chibuzor Ikwunze who lost four of their children after of a meal of suya (smoked/barbecue meat) and Esotic fruit juice.
The Speaker at a Church Service presented a car to the couple and also offered Mr Ikwunze automatic employment in his outfit.
The Abia Speaker, while worshiping on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at the Goodnews Pentecostal Church, Awolowo Street Extension, Umuahia, the family Church of the Ikwunzes said he came to fulfill the promise he made to the parents of the victims when the unfortunate incident occurred in August this year and thanked God for giving the couple the grace to bear the grief with equanimity.
The Speaker who, at the time of the incident, paid a condolence visit at the country home of Mr & Mrs Ikwunze in Umuawa Alaocha Community in Ohuhu Clan of Umuahia North LGA of Abia State, expressed sadness that the four children of the couple died mysteriously few months ago after eating the barbecue meat popularly known as ‘Suya’ and Esotic fruit juice drink.
His speech at the Church Service an thus: “I thanked God for sparing the lives of this couple thus far because what happened to them was a tragedy of monumental proportion. I advise them to take solace in God, do their best to forget the ugly experience and move on because only God knows it all”.
To the congregation he assured “from today, they’ll stop crying; look ahead for more prosperity; I will help them come back on your feet and have a meaningful life”, adding “in fulfillment of my promise, I brought a car gift for Mr Chibuzor Ikwunze to help him make extra income”.
He then gave Mr Ikwunze an automatic employment to work directly under Mr Uzochukwu Nwabufor, the Speaker’s Special Assistant on Ikukuoma’ s Free Water Scheme.
The Deputy Chief Whip of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Kelechi Onuzuruike, who accompanied the Speaker to the Service, gave a cheque for the payment of their rent for a period of two years.
Similarly, the General Manager of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Hon Eze Okwulehie, gave the couple a cash gift of N100,000 as his support towards their upkeep.
Responding, Mr Chibuzor Ikwunze thanked the Speaker for his undying love, compassion and benevolence to his family since the unfortunate incident occurred and prayed God to continue to bless him.
The General Overseer of Goodnews Pentecostal Church, Bishop Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ogbonna, at the event presented a Commemorative and Appreciation Award to Speaker Orji for his support and encouragement to the bereaved family.
At the church service were: Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, a former Commissioner in Abia State, Dr Obi Aguocha, President-General of Ohuhu Welfare Union, Chief G. O. Onyemaobi and other friends and associates of the Abia Speaker.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
