By Nkechi Eze
Bishops and Archbishops of the Methodist Church from the Southeast have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, for the ongoing infrastructure projects across the region.
The Methodist delegation, led by the Methodist Church Archbishop of Anambra State, Most. Revd. Dr. Vincent C. E. Onoh, made the commendation on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, when they paid a courtesy visit to Umahi at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja.
Onoh said the delegation came to appreciate the Federal Government and the Minister for what he described as visible infrastructure development across Nigeria, particularly in the Southeast.
“Sometimes people wouldn’t even know where we start when we want to talk about you, but we have just come as a church to appreciate you for the work you are doing, not only in entire Nigeria, but particularly in the Southeast,” the Archbishop said.
He specifically commended the progress recorded on the Niger Bridge, noting that the project had reached an advanced stage.
“The work on the Niger Bridge is 90% done,” Onoh said.
The Archbishop said the scale of infrastructure development had become noticeable to people visiting the region, adding that some visitors were surprised to see such projects being executed in Nigeria.
“I won’t talk of the coastal line and all that goes with it. We just want to appreciate God that He raised a man like you in our own time,” he said.
Onoh said the Methodist Church had also come to honour Umahi for his contribution to infrastructure development, noting that his work had earned him recognition among the people.
“Because the church doesn’t give traditional title, I will have given you the title of Olu Atugwu 1. Yes, your name is there. The work is there, and it’s a household name,” he said.
Responding, Umahi called on the people of the Southeast to recognise the infrastructure investments of the Tinubu administration while continuing to demand more development for the region.
The Minister said the Southeast had experienced marginalisation in the past but argued that ongoing federal projects demonstrated a change in the development narrative.
“Yes, I agree that in the past there was so much marginalisation of the Igbo everywhere, not just the Southeast, but President Bola Tinubu has changed the narrative,” Umahi said.
He listed the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, Enugu-Onitsha corridor, Enugu-Abakaliki Road, Eke-Obinagu Flyover and the Second Niger Bridge among major projects being executed to improve connectivity and economic activities in the region.
Umahi said the infrastructure programme was also designed to create jobs, improve security, reduce travel time and stimulate commercial activities.
“We are borrowing to put in infrastructure, and this infrastructure, it is an investment,” he said.
“It is also fighting insecurity. It’s shortening the distance between communities. It’s creating a revolution in our GDP and then commercial activities,” he added.
The Minister also disclosed that the first two sections of the major highway corridor linking Calabar through Ebonyi, Benue and Enugu towards Kogi and Abuja, covering about 330 kilometres, had been awarded and paid for by the Federal Government.
He said the completion of the corridor would substantially reduce travel time between the Southeast and Abuja.
“Those from Enugu can join at Nsukka Axis, and then they will now be in Abuja within three hours,” Umahi said.
“For those of us in Ebonyi, we can be in Abuja within four hours. What are we going to do with the plane again? Nobody will miss the plane again,” he added.
The Minister urged church leaders to help sensitise Nigerians on the infrastructure projects and the opportunities they could create, while encouraging continued engagement with the Federal Government on the development needs of the Southeast.
Onoh also announced plans by the Methodist Church to commence a prayer and sensitisation initiative in Awka and extend it to Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states, with large gatherings expected as part of the programme.
He prayed for continued wisdom, strength and guidance for Umahi in the discharge of his responsibilities and recalled his record of infrastructure development as Governor of Ebonyi State.
