By Julius Peter, Abuja
There was excitement and jubilation in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as thousands of residents from different communities trooped out to welcome the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, during an extraordinary homecoming reception in honour of their illustrious son.
The colourful reception, which took place on November 2, 2026, was organised spontaneously by residents following Umahi’s series of stakeholders’ engagements in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The gathering provided an opportunity for the people of Uburu and the wider Ohaozara community to celebrate the former governor of Ebonyi State, express appreciation for his contributions to national development and commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him to oversee the country’s federal road infrastructure.
Residents from different communities turned out in large numbers to demonstrate their affection and solidarity with the Minister, creating an atmosphere of excitement, celebration and community pride.
For the people, the reception was more than a homecoming celebration. It was an expression of appreciation for what they described as the confidence President Tinubu had reposed in their son by entrusting him with one of the most demanding responsibilities in the Federal Executive Council.
Addressing the gathering, prominent stakeholders, including Onu Okorie, Prince Mathew and Comrade Kingsley Obini, alongside other community leaders and residents, separately commended Umahi for his service to the country and the opportunities provided by his ministerial appointment.
They expressed pride in the Minister’s elevation to the national stage, noting that his responsibility for federal road infrastructure had further placed Ebonyi State and the South-East region in the national development conversation.
The stakeholders also acknowledged the importance of sustained federal government investment in infrastructure, particularly the construction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges across the country.
They noted that the condition of federal roads in the South-East had remained a major concern for residents, motorists, traders and business operators over the years, stressing that improved road infrastructure was essential to economic growth, regional integration and the movement of people and goods.
According to them, the attention being given to road infrastructure under the Tinubu administration represents an important opportunity to address longstanding transportation challenges and improve connectivity across the region.
The residents particularly commended President Tinubu for recognising Umahi’s experience and capacity by appointing him Minister of Works, describing the decision as a demonstration of confidence in the former Ebonyi governor’s ability to contribute meaningfully to national development.
They maintained that the appointment had provided their son with an opportunity to deploy his experience in infrastructure development beyond Ebonyi State and contribute to projects of national importance.
The gathering also took a political dimension, as the residents openly declared their support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
They linked their position to what they described as the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and its recognition of Umahi, insisting that sustained development requires continuity in government policies and programmes.
The people further emphasised the need for the South-East to continue benefiting from federal infrastructure investments, noting that good roads and bridges would strengthen commercial activities, facilitate transportation and improve the living conditions of the people.
For the residents of Uburu and Ohaozara, the reception was also an opportunity to reaffirm their solidarity with Umahi and encourage him to remain committed to his national assignment.
The spontaneous nature of the gathering underscored the level of enthusiasm among community members, who considered the Minister’s homecoming an occasion to celebrate his journey from state leadership to national service.
Umahi, who served as governor of Ebonyi State before his appointment as Minister of Works, has continued to play a prominent role in the Federal Government’s infrastructure development agenda.
His appointment placed him at the centre of the administration’s efforts to expand, rehabilitate and modernise Nigeria’s federal road network.
The reception in Uburu came shortly after his engagements with political and other stakeholders in Abakaliki, where issues relating to development in Ebonyi State and the country at large featured prominently.
The turnout and expressions of support from residents further highlighted the political and community significance of the Minister’s homecoming, as his constituents used the occasion to celebrate his national responsibility and express confidence in the leadership that provided the opportunity.
The residents expressed optimism that continued collaboration between the Federal Government and the South-East would accelerate infrastructure development and bring more benefits to communities across the region.
The event ended with renewed expressions of solidarity with Senator Umahi and a declaration of support for President Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general election.
The reception was reported by Francis Nwaze, FIPMD, Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media), in a statement dated November 3, 2026.
