The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and the PDP flagbearer for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the forthcoming general elections, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji MNSE has emerged the “Best Speaker in South East”.

The Abia Speaker was conferred with the Award of Excellence on Friday by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu Chapter in a well attended event held at the prestigious Amadeo Events Centre, Ebeano Tunnel Way, Enugu.

In its citation for the Abia Speaker, the NUJ described Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji as a “Speaker with a difference whose legislative prowess has seen to the enactment of people-oriented and all-inclusive laws, attracting and sponsorship of impactful infrastructure including eight mini-stadiums, water projects, electrification projects, road projects, scholarships to indigent students of all categories, free training of over 500 Abia youths in ICT, renovation of schools, training and empowerment of women and youths in relevant skills among others.

“To ensure that all Abians irrespective of status are given a sense of belonging in the state, the Speaker led his colleagues to pass the “Disability Law” which not only protects People Living With Disabilities (PLWDS) in Abia State but also promotes their interests”.

Continuing, the NUJ said, “It is also on record that the Abia State House of Assembly under the leadershio of Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji is the first and remains arguably the only State Assembly that has passed the “Diaspora Law” which also protects and promotes the interests of Abians living abroad and their investments back home.

“These actions and many more have earmed the Abia Speaker many accolades both locally and outside Abia State. It was therefore an easy decision for the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Enugu Chapter, to bestow the Award of Excellence as Best Speaker in South East upon Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji”, the citation concluded.

The Abia Speaker who was represented at the event by by the Member representing Enugu North State Constituency at the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Ibenaku Onoh was presented the award by the Governor of Enugu State, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who himself received an award as the “Most Peaceful Governor in Nigeria” at the event.

Responding, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji thanked the organisers of the event for the award and said he was pleased that it was coming from the fourth realm of the estate who are the watchdogs of society, emphasising that it will spur him to do more for the people.

The Abia Speaker recalled that he had earlier been bestowed with an award by the National Body of the NUJ in May of 2021 in an event held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Sheraton Hotels and Towers, and that another one by the Body’s Correspondents’ Chapel of Enugu speaks to his modest efforts to ensure that Abians enjoy dividends of democracy through effective legislative framework.

Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji thanked his colleagues at the Abia State House of Assembly for their cooperation, saying the laurels recorded by the House would not have been possible without their support.

He urged the NUJ and the Correspondents’ Chapels in the different states to keep playing their roles effectively as watchdogs of society and always seek to engage political leaders constructively for the overall benefit of the people.