Elder statesman and former Ebonyi State governor, Martin Nwanchor Elechi, has pleaded with Nigerian politicians to place national service above personal interest, stressing that that is the only way to build a great country.
 
He noted that public service demands a lot of sacrifice, stressing that the joy of serving the people outweighs private gain, since, according to him, the benefits of a good name last more than material and personal accomplishments.

The former governor, who made the remarks during a visit to the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, said that it gives him immense happiness that all the young people he groomed into politics are doing well.
 
It could be recalled that despite opposition from career politicians, Elechi fished out the current Minister of Works, David Umahi, first as a caretaker state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and subsequently as his deputy in 2011.  

Describing Ogah, who is also the House Committee on Correctional Service, as a worthy political son, the former governor disclosed that he decided to pay him an impromptu visit to commend the lawmaker for qualitative representation of both his immediate constituents and Ebonyi State at large.

He urged Ogah to remain a good ambassador of NdiEbonyi, even as he prayed that his namesake, Martin Chinedu-Ogah, should walk in the steps of great men.