Despite Early Scare, Anambra Governorship Hopeful Pulls Off Massive Nnewi Health Walk

Nnewi – An invasion of unknown thugs and the resultant destruction of property and events materials for the programme, was not enough to stop the 3rd edition of the Valentine Chineto Ozigbo(VCO) Foundation Walk for Health, from taking place on Saturday in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Very early in the morning, thugs had invaded St Andrews DCC Church, Nnewi, venue for take-off of the Walk and Medical Outreach sponsored by the Foundation, destroyed canopies and partially burned Red Carpet stands for the show.

Sources who witness the attack said the assailants had threatened to burn down the event centre, had it not been that it was a church premise.

However, despite the disturbances, fans, supporters and faithful of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, later turned out in their numbers to participate in the exercise.

The activity took participants through major streets of the industrial town of Nnewi on a jogging and walk exercise, as residents extended acknowledgement and solidarity.

Speaking at the end of the exercise, the Sponsor, Valentine Ozigbo who is a frontline PDP, aspirant to Anambra Governorship seat, said the programme was t emphasize healthy living and create the awareness among the citizenry on the need to constantly exercise.

He revealed that having organized the programme in Awka and Onitsha both in Anambra Central and Anambra North Senatorial Zones respectively, it became important to bring the initiative to Nnewi in Anambra South.

“What we are doing is to let our people know the important of exercise to our physical and mental wellbeing. It is important also to understand that through exercise, we can avoid sicknesses that ravage our people today. I am interested in the general wellbeing of our people and that is why I am organizing this event,” he emphasized.

The former Transcorps Boss also said the programme has angles to efforts at reviving the state economy which he noted is in a deplorable state, saying that as an aspirant, he has evolved plans to put the state back on track towards greater economic prosperity.

Ozigbo condemned the attack on his event, saying the people must rise above petty characters and embrace love and oneness as it is only through that, that the state can prosper.

He expressed appreciation to all who turned out for the event, also extending thanks to the numerous partners that contributed towards the success of the exercise.

A former member representing Njikoka, Dunukofia and Anaocha Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Valentine Ayika, who also lent his voice in condemning the attack, maintained that Anambra belongs to everybody and called on the perpetrators to refrain from such.

According to him, the message of VCO is already gaining momentum and a lot of stakeholders have shown solidarity with the movement, which said aims solely at turning around the fortunes of the state.

On his part, the Chairman of PDP in Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Chief Emma Ebene thanked Nnewi people for the massive turnout, saying it shows the acceptability of the party in the area.

He also harped on the need for them to take full advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration Exercise, to register, to be eligible to participate in the November 6 Governorship election in Anambra State.

Some of the persons who participate in the Walk for Health, Chibuike Ezeabasili, Edozie Onopuo and Geraldine Okpalauzuegbu, thanked the organizer of the programme for providing the platform to exercise, saying that it shows his concern for the good of the people.

 

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