After over 40 days of absence, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State returned to the state Tuesday, July 21, proclaiming that he is hale and hearty and fully prepared to resume duties and continue to discharge his divine mandate of leading the state.
Ikpeazu’s return followed his full recovery from COVID-19 after undergoing treatment in an Abuja health facility.
The Abia State government had on June 8 announced via its Twitter handle that the governor had tested positive for coronavirus and had directed his deputy to act on his behalf.
On July 4, John Okiyi Kalu, the state’s commissioner for information, announced that the governor had recovered from coronavirus.
“To the glory of God, repeat COVID-19 test conducted by Nigeria Center for Disease Control on samples submitted by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Thursday, 2nd July, 2020, returned negative result on Friday, 3rd July, 2020,” Kalu said.
“Governor Ikpeazu is therefore deemed free of the virus according to the extant guidelines of NCDC and the World Health Organisation,” he said.
The governor had, however, not returned to the state until Tuesday.
On his return on Tuesday, Governor Ikpeazu, his wife, two daughters and few of his aides went straight to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Umuobiakwa, for a brief Thanksgiving Service, presided over by Bassey Udoh, president, East Nigeria Union Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church Nigeria.
In a press statement signed by Onyebuchi Ememanka, his chief press secretary, the governor expressed deep and profound appreciation to the Almighty God whose grace and loving kindness kept him throughout the difficult period he battled with COVID-19.
According to the governor, the mercy of God is the only reason he is alive today.
He thanked the team of doctors and other medical personnel who attended to him for their dedication and professionalism.
The governor also expressed his gratitude to his deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu, for courageously holding the fort during his period of absence and commended him for his statesmanship in the running of the affairs of the state.
Ikpeazu also sent his appreciation to Chinedu Orji, speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, and all members of the State Assembly for their display of patriotism during the period.
The governor was also grateful to the secretary to the Government of Abia State, Chris Ezem, his chief of staff, ACB Agbazuere, and all members of the State Executive Council, as well as chairmen of the Transition Committees of the 17 local government areas of the state.
He also thanked all religious leaders from different faiths and denominations, who prayed fervently for his recovery and sent unending messages of goodwill.
In addition, the governor sent his sincere appreciation to all traditional rulers, elder statesmen, political leaders, women and youth groups from across the state and indeed all Abians, across the globe, who prayed for his recovery.
While thanking God for His mercies, Governor Ikpeazu reminded Abians that the COVID-19 pandemic remains with the people and this requires every single Abian to continue to take seriously all the protocols enunciated by the NCDC.
He reminded all Abians that the prevailing times demand the highest level of personal responsibility and asked the people not to let down their guards.
He sent his message of solidarity to all Abians who are still battling with the disease, assuring them that they would come back better and stronger.
“Our administration will continue to provide the needed support in the fight against the pandemic in the state. I am pleased that our molecular laboratory is now fully in place and I therefore appeal to all Abians to avail themselves of the services of the laboratories and get tested in the strong belief that the disease is not a death sentence,” he said.
Ikpeazu thanked his wife Nkechi, their children and members of his family for being strong and steadfast throughout the period.
“Throughout my life, my faith and confidence in the Almighty God have remained unshaken and will remain so. It is His grace that upholds me. This latest in the series of the intervention of God in my life will spur me to rededicate my life to the service of our people,” he said.
