Udoka Estate secretariate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Awka was thrown into a joyous mood on Valentine's Day of 2021 when Valentine Ozigbo, a business mogul, fulfilled his promise to donate eight vehicles to the executive committee of the party.
Recall that on January 16, 2021, Ozigbo, the frontrunner in the Anambra 2021 governorship election under the PDP, pledged to donate the vehicles to key party officials at a high-powered meeting with the Anambra State Executive Committee (EXCO) and Local Government leaders. The donation is the first of its kind in the history of PDP Anambra chapter.
During the brief event, Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, addressed the state's PDP leaders saying, "I am thrilled to be with you once more and, I am even more delighted that this event is coincidently being held on a special day, St. Valentine's day, a day of global celebration in memory of the power and importance of love."
"Before proceeding further let me appeal to us all, in the spirit of the love in the air, to always show love to one another even to those who we consider adversaries and enemies.
"Love heals all wounds, opens all doors, closes all gaps and settles all disputes. No leader can lead well without love," he admonished.
On the donation of the vehicles, Ozigbo said the gesture was an expression of his commitment to the PDP and its success in the governorship polls scheduled for November 6, 2021.
According to the respected business leader, the decision to donate cars to the party was to ease the job of party executives and challenge others within the party to seek ways to forge a solid front as the election draws near.
"We are dealing with an incumbent government. We need enormous capacity. So I'm doing this to send the right signal to other aspirants because if we are to be victorious, we have to approach the elections as a united family," Ozigbo remarked.
"Let me remind us that these vehicles are neither personal gifts nor for private usage. They are for the offices that the users occupy to the extent that they are meant for official use, specifically for activities that will ensure and enhance our party's preparation for the November election.
"This is not a one-off gesture. Since I began this project, I have recorded many firsts. When the COVID-19 pandemic began last year, I was the first to distribute palliatives to all local government areas in the state. I am the first aspirant to go on a state-wide tour," he added.
In his remarks, Chairman of the PDP in Anambra State, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu thanked Mr Ozigbo for fulfilling his promise to the party.
He asserted that the vehicles would serve multiple purposes to the party, including providing more visibility to the party and increased exposure for the Valentine Ozigbo brand.
Chief Nwobu commended Ozigbo for his sustained familiarisation with Ndi Anambra, urging him to keep up the tempo. Once again, he reiterated his assurance that the party primaries would be free, fair, and transparent.
Ozigbo's contingent to the event included Directors of the VCO Campaign Organisation - a former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly and a two-time member of the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Eucharia Azodo; a former State Chairman of the party, Chief Ejike Oguebego; a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Sir Tim Egboka; and a former member of the state party executive, Chief Tony Offiah.
Others senior members of Ozigbo's campaign organisation who were present at the event were Ichie Sunday Ezeobiora; the General Manager of the VCO Foundation, Sir Izuchukwu Oraelosi; a former Chairman of the party in Dunukofia Local Government Area, Ikechukwu Akaeze; Dr Willy Emenari; a party stalwart in Anambra West Local Government Area, Bartholomew Obaha; a former women leader in the state, Dame Love Ebeh; the leader of the VCO Youth movement, Innocent Ugwo, Mrs Oby Mezi, and others.