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Tag: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

  • ‘Enugu safest state in Nigeria’

    Despite the recent media hype of a rise in crime in Enugu, a critical assessment of the state since 2015 till date still places it as the safest in Nigeria.

    The state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is ever ready to rise to the occasion whenever security challenges arise. With the support of the governor, the security agencies, particularly the police have also risen to the challenges.

    Despite the rising crime trend in the state, there had been hardly any crime that was not detected and the culprits not arrested.

    A case in point was the prompt arrest of the killers of the orderly to the deputy governor. All the suspects were arrested within one week and brought to book.

    Also  of recent, the killers of two Catholic priests were promptly arrested and are facing the wrath of the law.

    The police have actually  lived up to expectations by providing the answer to the most important thing that happens after a crime is committed.

    Arguably it is in Enugu that all crimes committed are followed till all the suspects are arrested.

    The performance of the police in Enugu cannot without tonic provided by the  Enugu state governor.

    Ugwuanyi recently gave to the police not fewer than 70 Hilux  vehicles, Sienna SUVs and other brands  for decoy operations. He as well pays monthly allowances to the operatives, provides fuel  and other logistics  requirements for the agencies to perform.

    Worthy of note is that the governor himself sometimes leads patrol raids on criminal hideouts and dark spots at Obiagu Road, Ogui and Asata, notable  homes for drug dealers and users as well as other criminals.

    The governor had also to packaged an anti-kidnapping bill, which he sent to the State House of Assembly for legislation. He followed it up by giving directive for the recruitment of 1,700 forest guards to begin to patrol the bushes and thick forests of the state, to fish out these criminals from their hideouts.

    He had equally given directive, and had personally supervised, the clearing of bushes, particularly along the Awgu axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Express Way, identified as rendezvous for the criminals, and where killings and kidnappings had taken place in recent weeks.

    With the evolvement of  intelligence gathering, sharing and collaboration by all the security agencies including the Army, DSS etc, it is expected they would pool  hands together and up the game of crime fighting.

    Enugu being the capital of former Eastern Region is vital to all Easterners and if there is any ant that flies over it, it will be blown out of proportion, hence the recent media hype in crime occurrence in the state. In all Enugu remains a peaceful state as it maintained its resilient nature .

    One aspect of noteworthy in the recent media hype is the presence of detractors  who are at work to ensure that the governor’s efforts in securing the state would be seen as hoax.

    For example recently, a popular politician in the state raised a false alarm of the kidnap of his daughter. It is being wondered if his aim and interest  was just to sabotage the peace  being propagated by  pessimists in a resilient  city like Enugu which is an envy of others as it is among the 100 resilient cities in the world and the only one in Nigeria.

  • FAAN hails Uguwanyi on airport security

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has hailed Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for fulfilling his promise to address the challenges which hitherto threatened the safety of travellers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

    FAAN Managing Director Capt. Hamisu Yadudu spoke during an inspection of the airport and environs to ascertain the level of compliance by the state and other relevant institutions to the request by FAAN.

    He said FAAN was satisfied with the interventions, such as the relocation of the Orie Emene market, abattoir, and dismantling of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Radio/TV Mast.

    Yadudu hinted that the issue of relocating the N-Power Free Trade Zone, adjacent to the airport’s runway, had been resolved with the management of the establishment, which was confirmed by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Emeka Eneh, during the inspection.

    Read Also: Ugwuanyi, Ubosi declare assets

    He said after a negotiation “the required land that FAAN wants to protect is secured. We are happy with that, and N-Power Free Trade Zone. We are also happy that with the remaining land, they can still go ahead with their initiative and develop the land”.

    Capt. Yadudu also frowned at those living “on the air field” near the airport, and requested the governor to take prompt action on the matter as usual, stressing that “the issue of illegal residents is very much of safety concern and risky”.

    Ugwuanyi, who promised the government’s prompt intervention, said his administration is fully committed to the safety of lives and property, as well as the progress of the Enugu international airport.

  • 90 military widows trained in Enugu

    Succour has come the way of women whose soldier husbands died in service.

    Ninety of such women who were jobless and unskilled were recently trained in various trades in Enugu.

    Through the facilitators of the skill acquisition, African Global Development for Positive Change Initiative (ADI), the widows underwent an intensive 2 weeks training in cosmetology, tailoring, bread baking and modern catering skills.

    The training was supervised and anchored by the Enugu branch of the Nigerian Legion and the Military Widows Association.

    Speaking during the graduation and presentation of certificates ceremony, the chairman of Enugu Legion, Barr. Emeka Igwesi said skills acquired by the military widows during the training would go a long way in empowering them.

    He stressed that the military widows were not actually looking for anybody to pity them but for the authorities to “equip them to be able to fish on their own.”

    Igwesi remarked that the military widows have dependants and were not ready to fend for them through begging and would also not allow their children suffer any deprivation.

    The Legion chairman was full of praises for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state for his interest, understanding and interventions in the plight of the widows.

    The international president of ADI, Prince Dan Mbachi explained the the training was a continuous exercise and assured that more of the widows who could not benefit in this training would be captured in subsequent ones.

    Read Also: 90 military widows trained in Enugu

    He advised the beneficiaries not to waste the skill and knowledge they acquired during the training and urged them to ensure that hardworking and success are their goals.

    The National President of Military Widows Association, Mrs. Vera Aloko expressed joy that the tears of widows of “our departed fallen heroes are gradually being wiped away through your tremendous support and unending contributions.”

    She said: “And as the Chinese say ‘give a man fish, you feed him for a day but teach a man how to fish and you feed him for life’ which is the foundation for which this programme is laid.”

    She admonished the widows to maximise the use of the skills learnt and be good ambassadors of the programme.

    To the Enugu state governor, Aloko thanked him for being “a husband indeed to our widows.”

    She also thanked the legion chairman for his ”awesome support” and prayed God to openly reward for all his efforts.

    The widows president finally appealed to government agencies, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to be part the noble gesture of empowering the widows of “our fallen heroes.”

    The Enugu State Commissioner for Gender Affairs, Mrs Peace Nnaji chaired the occasion.

  • Respite as Ugwuanyi steps up urban renewal

    Nothing tells the story of a city’s wellbeing better than the condition of its major roads, many development experts say. While this may be true, they rarely ever offer the entire picture. To get the true face of a city, it sometimes helps to head for the inner city roads. Being mostly out of sight to visitors and journalists and, so, less prone to scrutiny, it is at such places that the chasm between rhetoric and action is most evident, with many such roads bearing ugly vestiges of decades-old neglect.

    Indeed, the deplorable state of inner city roads seen in many states usually begs the question how such could have been allowed to fester over the years and not nipped in the bud as it should. It has to be conceded, however, that the sheer scale of projects needed to create any tangible impact might make social interventions in these places barely noticeable. But sometimes it’s simply a question of a failure to find the sufficient political will – the kind mustered by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State – to show that development standard doesn’t have to be lower for inner city dwellers and higher for posh areas that many states would normally project as poster images of their cities.

    The governor understands that although fixing inner city roads may not attract as much plaudits and publicity as an upgrade of highways and major urban arteries would, residents of those areas are no less entitled to substantial infrastructural overhaul. From Ngenevu, a once barely accessible high-density suburb which had been all but cut off from the national electric grid to Abakpa-Nike, an urban sprawl that had invariably become a byword for squalid living, the message always mirrored that inclusive development philosophy.

    And one could sense a huge relief on the faces of residents as they line the streets in frenzied anticipation of the message from their unannounced august visitor. “Did anyone ask me to fix this road?” the governor inquired as residents and shop owners at the old UNTH Road sang his praise. “No,” they chorused. “We’re here because we believe that infrastructural development should not be limited to any area to the exclusion of others,” he said, urging them to cooperate with workers of the construction company whose contractual mandate includes linking up the old UNTH road to Ngenevu. “We’ll continue to serve you with the fear of God,” he added.

    Similar enthusiasm greeted Governor Ugwuanyi’s visit to Carter, Ogidi, Onyeama and other adjoining streets in the Asata neighbourhood, an old settlement created in the 1940s/’50s. It was a case of respite after years of desolation. Some of the streets, in fact, hardly bore any trace of asphalt, necessitating outright resurfacing as being done at Carter Street. A comment by a resident of Carter Street summed up the feelings of residents: “We live in the state capital and yet felt so far away and disconnected from it due to the horrible state of our roads. But the rehabilitation currently ongoing in our neighborhood has given us a sense of belonging,” said the middle-aged resident who has lived in Asata since the 1980s.

    These interventions offer a glimpse of the sort of incremental turnaround that would have occurred in blighted communities had they been over the past years given the kind of attention the Ugwuanyi administration is devoting to their upgrade. Had that been the case, the roads would not have collapsed to such deplorable extent and the gully threatening Okwuosa bridge in the Ogui neighbourhood will have been curbed.

    Like most cities, Enugu is bearing the effects of years of migration by rural dwellers in search of better economic opportunities and living conditions. This influx led to crowded tenements which, naturally, resulted in overstretched utilities built for an initially smaller population. The situation is particularly worse in Enugu which had served as capital of Nigeria’s Eastern Region, East Central State, old Anambra, and old Enugu State successively in the last century. In addition to committing substantial resources to upgrade suburban communities that bear the heaviest brunt of rural-urban migration, the Ugwuanyi administration has gone beyond treating the symptoms of this modern day socio-economic reality by addressing the problem at its roots.

    That paradigm shift can be seen in the huge funds the administration has so far spent on projects in rural areas, a good number of which had never hosted one in their history. The resolve to give rural dwellers a practical taste of inclusive governance is also at the heart of this statement made by Governor Ugwuanyi in his inaugural speech, and voiced repeatedly to emphasize his commitment to its actualization: “We will continue to direct our policies and projects towards these locations (rural areas) because that is where most of our people reside.”

    Seeing once inaccessible communities receiving impressive makeover has been dampening cynicism and giving residents of similar communities a strong sense of optimism and belief that it’s only a matter of time before the earth-movers roll into their streets. The excitement is indeed palpable. As one resident of Independence Layout gushed, “Enugu is now looking like a true metropolis.”

    You would be smiling too if you were in his shoes. Despite its highbrow status as a preferred elite neighbourhood, the condition of internal roads in Independence Layout was once a nightmare. Today, thanks to the intensive urban renewal drive of the Ugwuanyi administration those roads are a joy to ride on as they have become well-paved, with the streets seamlessly linking one another. And with the zeal so far demonstrated by the governor, the momentum of the recent urban renewal drive is not in the least on the wane. That is good news for residents of Enugu city.

    • Ani, formerly editor of ThisDay, The Saturday Newspaper, and Saturday Telegraph, is senior communications aide to the governor of Enugu State

  • School of Public Health, Nsukka for upgrade

    The Enugu State government has said arrangements have been concluded to upgrade School of Public Health Nursing/ Health Technology Nsukka to College of Health Technology and Nursing Services.

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi disclosed this in Nsukka during the matriculation of 125 students for 2019 session of the school.

    He said the state government was happy on the performance of the school since its establishment in 1977.

    “Very soon the school will be known as College of Health Technology and Nursing Services Nsukka.

    “The state government is happy with performance and achievement of the school and has concluded necessary arrangements to upgrade the school to a college.

    “When the school becomes a college, thousands of candidates from different states  of the federation will seek admissions into the college,” he said.

    Ugwuanyi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health in the state, Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi commended the principal of the school Mrs Uchenna Eze on the recent approval by West African Examination Board for the school to start running environmental health programme.

    “Since 1977 the school was established various principals made efforts for approval of this programme but within one year you assumed office it was approved.

    “The state government is happy with  you and your management for this great achievement,” he said.

    The governor advised the matriculated students to shun immoral vices,  exam malpractice and any form of cultism but should rather focused on their studies so as to be useful to themselves and the society.

    “Focus on your studies and shun immoral vices, exam malpractice and cultism as they will mar your future , “ he said.

    In a remark, Eze, the principal of the school urged new students to give priority attention to their study and be of good conduct since not all candidates who applied for admission in 2019 session were admitted.

    “it is not all candidates that wished to be here made it, you must count yourselves privileged to be admitted.

    “Remain focused, so that you acquire knowledge and skills you needed to attend to the sick and helpless.

    “Both academic and non-academic staff of this school are ready to help you achieve success,” she said.

    The principal told new students that the school had zero tolerance for shortcuts and indiscipline and would not hesitate to sanction any student that violated the school rules and regulations.

    She commended   Gov Ugwuanyi who provided the fund and logistics that made it possible for the school to get four years accreditation recently from Community Health board .

    “Staff and students of this school are grateful and pledged to rededicate ourselves to duties,” she said.

    Eze announced that the school had been granted approval to run Environmental Health programme, describing it as a dream come true.

    “This is a dream come true as the search for this programme has been on since the establishment of the school 1977.

    “I express my appreciation to state government, ministry of health and school management for their support that made this landmark achievement to be possible,”  she said.

    The principal listed some of the challenges of the school to include the completion of  female hostel building, building hostel for male students, employing of new security officers to replace retired ones as well as sinking of a borehole for the school to stop students  going outside in search of water.

  • Ugwuanyi at 55: Glowing in service of the people

    In this piece, Louis Amoke extols the virtues of Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who clocks 55 today.

    The good news about Enugu State under the watch of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is that since the governor entrusted the state to the hands of God, the goodness of God has continued to be made manifest in its affairs, to the delight of the people.

    Born on March 20, 1964, Gov. Ugwuanyi, today, Wednesday, March 20, clocks 55, to the glory of God. Inaugurated as the 3rd civilian governor of the new Enugu State on May 29, 2015, Ugwuanyi on Saturday, March 9, 2019 was overwhelmingly re-elected, in one of the most peaceful, transparent and credible elections in the history of the state.

    The most amazing aspect of the entire scenario was that the governor’s resounding victory in this month of March coincided with his 55th birthday anniversary, which calls for double celebrations in thanksgiving to God, for His mercies and kindness to a man of faith and goodwill.

    Though his overwhelming victory and that of all other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, did not come to many as a surprise, especially those who are informed about the political antecedents of Enugu State, as well as the governor’s sterling performance and swelling popularity in the state, the hidden truth remains that Gov. Ugwuanyi won his reelection the day he had his first interaction with journalists, a few days after his inauguration in 2015.

    On that fateful day, Gov. Ugwuanyi stated clearly that his administration will work hard to ensure peace in the state as a panacea for progress and rapid development. The peace-loving governor pledged not to engage in any act that would undermine the relationship between his administration and the past ones, vis-à-vis himself and past leaders of the state. He promised to unite the leaders of the state and accord them due respect irrespective of political affiliations, stressing that “everybody is our friend and the era of politics of bitterness is over”.

    This strange resolution which Gov. Ugwuanyi religiously adhered to, no doubt contributed immensely to the overwhelming support and endorsement he enjoyed from the people of the state from all spheres of the society and across party lines, prior to the general election as well as his landslide victory at the polls.

    The governor’s decision became one of his greatest assets and a rallying point for prominent leaders from all walks of life, such as the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senator Fidelis Okoro, Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi, and Ambassador Mrs. Justina Eze, to endorse and campaign vigorously for his reelection.

    For instance, at the grand finale of the governor’s door-to-door campaign, held at Udenu Local Government Area headquarters ahead of the just concluded governorship and state assembly elections, some of these leaders eulogised him for entrenching peace, tranquility and good governance, in a manner that has never been experienced before in the history of the state.

    They described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a man of history, expressing delight that he has united everybody in the state, irrespective of political leaning. The leaders told him that the culture of peace and good governance he has entrenched in the state was unprecedented and will earn him a landslide victory at the polls.

    The party stalwarts added that his pre-election adoption by 70 political parties in Enugu State as their consensus candidate was an affirmation that the governor has united everybody in the state.

    While Senator Ekweremadu disclosed that “there is no bickering or quarrels among the political leaders in the state”, Senator Nwobodo, who described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a son thanked him “for bringing everybody together”.

    According to Senator Onuaguluchi, “Gov. Ugwuanyi has brought uncommon peace to the state” and “all of us have come to learn from Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi)”. Senator Okoro pointed out that “we have not seen his type before”, and Amb. Mrs. Eze joined others in urging the people to vote massively for him and other candidates of the PDP.

    Shortly after the March 9 election, which was adjudged the most peaceful, freest and credible by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)-accredited local and foreign observers, 70 political parties, and leaders of the state, among others, the coalition of governorship candidates in the state led by Gerald Abonyi of Labour Party (LP) congratulated Gov. Ugwuanyi, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise and pledged to support his administration.

    Basking in the euphoria of the well-deserved victory, support groups and people from various Local Government Areas have continued to troop to the Government House, Enugu to equally congratulate the governor.

    On the day the people of Igbo-Eze North LGA paid him a congratulatory visit, the peace-loving governor appealed to members of his political party to be magnanimous in victory by promoting peace and unity and showing love to one another irrespective of party affiliations. He stated that “now the election is over, politicians in the state should invoke their Christian faith, go back and unite with their perceived enemies, show love to them, so that the prevailing peace for which Enugu State is known will be adequately sustained”.

    Prior to this, Ugwuanyi, as a humble and appreciative leader, had shortly after the victory returned to the markets and streets to say “Thank You” to the people for reelecting him as their governor. It would be recalled that the governor and his party, the PDP, unlike other political parties, embarked on an intense door-to-door campaign at the markets and streets of the state canvassing vigorously for votes.

    It was, therefore, a heartwarming experience for the residents, the petty traders, the barrow pushers and the market men and women, among others, seeing their governor at their doorstep, coming to say “Thank You” for reelecting him into office.

    Governor Ugwuanyi had earlier in his acceptance speech expressed gratitude to God and thanked the people of the state for their overwhelming support in renewing his mandate.

    Accepting the mandate, the governor stated that “this victory does not belong to me alone”. He disclosed that “it belongs to Ndi Enugu – our political leaders and other stakeholders irrespective of party affiliations; the market men and women, the barrow pushers, taxi and commercial bus drivers, Okada and Keke riders, petty traders, other artisans, town union and community leaders, the clergy, our revered traditional rulers, civil servants, the farmers, the professional class, youth and women groups, students and others who are the true heroes of our democracy”.

    He told the people of the state that he was “deeply humbled that you have, once again, invested your trust and faith in our team”, saying that it is now for him and his deputy and running mate, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo “to continue to work for you”.

    Ugwuanyi pledged that his administration will devote energy and time to work harder for the wellbeing and prosperity of the people, stressing that “we are open to new ideas and new visions, as we continue to lay the solid foundation for a more prosperous Enugu State”.

    According to him, “I hereby reaffirm that we will continue to serve you with the fear of God, with humility and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our people and lifting the State to unprecedented heights of development and progress”.

    The governor also expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for “his exemplary leadership and for providing the enabling environment that ensured the peaceful conduct of elections in our State”. He equally saluted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “for a job well done and for keeping alive the dream of a brighter democracy”.

    Speaking further he said: “We are equally grateful to the Nigerian security agencies and the independent observers who ensured that we had peaceful processes at the polls”.

    To his fellow party leaders, members and teeming supporters, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked them for “the wonderful job that you all did”, saying: “I am very proud of your contributions”.

    Extending his hand of fellowship to other contestants he added: “In truth, the victory is not a winner-takes-all. In our spirit of brotherhood, everyone is a winner. Therefore, I reach out my hand of friendship and partnership to my fellow contestants. I invite all of you to join hands with me so that together, we shall build a better Enugu State, to the glory of God.

    Re-committing himself to the service of God and the state, Gov. Ugwuanyi declared: “Now is the time to get back to work. We are inspired by the sacrifices and support of our people in renewing our mandate. I am confident that by the special grace of God and with your continuing cooperation and prayers, all things concerning Enugu State will continue to end in praise”.

    On the significance of today’s birthday celebration, the time-honoured occasion reinvigorates the governor’s commitment to peace, charity and almsgiving – a constant moral obligation in appreciation of God’s goodness and amazing grace to him as “Nwaogbenye”.

    The anniversary offers him, his family, friends, well-wishers, and teeming supporters, who have remained steadfast in prayers, yet another opportunity to give to the poor and less privileged in the society with all sense of divinity and benevolence.

    It re-echoes his disposition towards alleviating the suffering of the people as the nexus between him and God. It also re-echoes his long-held appeal that those who intended to offer him birthday gifts should “channel them to charity homes and orphanages in appreciation of God’s mercies and kindness” and “in the spirit of the Lenten Season”.

    This, one believes, is the best way to celebrate the governor’s resounding victory at the polls, appreciate God‘s abundant blessings upon him and his family’s life, as well as pray fervently for continued peace and progress of Enugu State, as he strives to render more selfless service in realization of the dreams of the state’s founding fathers.

    Your Excellency, it has indeed ended in praise, Happy Birthday.  Enugu State is truly in the hands of God.

  •  Enugu polls: UPP, others congratulate Gov Ugwuanyi

    One of the leading opposition political parties in Enugu State, the United Progressive Party (UPP), has joined the league of 70 political parties and groups in congratulating Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on his re-election.

    In a congratulatory message, signed on behalf of the UPP by its State Chairman, Ken Onyekaonwu, and presented to Governor Ugwuanyi, at the Government House in Enugu, by its representatives, the party told the governor: “ Your re-election was well deserved having spent the last four years of your life labouring hard to move Enugu State to an enviable height.”

    The message reads: “Your Excellency, a cycle has just been concluded, and our people have spoken through the inherent opportunity presented thereby, and their voice was made manifest in their support and votes to re-elect you as the governor of our dear state, for the next four years. May the good Lord guide and grant you the necessary wisdom and ability as you steer the ship of governance in our dear state for the next four years,” it stated.

    Members of the delegation include the National Treasurer, Flint Obiekwe, the Assistant National Secretary, Don Nwabueze, the National Administrative Officer, David Ukeje and the Zonal Secretary, South East, Nzeanochie Iweka, among others.

    In a related development, the people of Nsukka Local Government Area, leveraging on the euphoria of being the council area in Enugu State that delivered the highest number of votes to Governor Ugwuanyi in the just concluded election, were also at the Government House in Enugu to congratulate him.

    Led by the council chairman, Patrick Omeje, the people of the area, who came out in large numbers, thanked God for the governor’s resounding victory at the polls, stating that it did not come to them as a surprise.

    Omeje attributed the governor’s landslide victory to his sterling leadership qualities and remarkable achievements that have touched the lives of the people, positively.

    In his remarks, the Commissioner for Housing and Director-General, Gov. Ugwuanyi Campaign Organization, Nsukka L.G.A, Peter Okonkwo, maintained that the governor’s overwhelming victory at the polls was “a testimony to the selfless service of staying late here for almost four years to address issues concerning the state. Your overwhelming victory has vindicated that sacrifice,” he said.

    Justifying Ugwuanyi’s victory, he said: “Your Excellency, your victory, overwhelming in nature, is a testimony to what you did in Amurri in Nkanuland; what you did from Opi junction to Ime Nsukka; what you did to Oji River linking Anambra State. I am talking of areas which hitherto never experienced any form of infrastructure. Your overwhelming victory vindicated it.

    Okonkwo, while describing Governor Ugwuanyi as “a good product that sells itself,” commended him for his administration’s grassroots development programmes, that have brought rapid progress and opened up the rural areas through access mobility.

  • Pensioners hail Ugwuanyi for paying gratuities

    A delegation of pensioners in Enugu State, who benefited from the monthly N100 million approved by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to pay their gratuities from last May, yesterday, visited the governor to thank him “for rescuing them in their time of need.”

    The beneficiaries, in an address by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Damian Udeani, praised God for using Ugwuanyi to perform miracle in their lives.

    They said they could not thank the governor enough for reviving the payment of gratuities in Enugu, saying that “over the years… pensioners have been denied their benefits.”

    According to them, “many pensioners have passed on without getting it. But now, you have gladdened the hearts of pensioners in Enugu with the revival of payment of gratuities.”

    Reiterating their support for the governor’s re-election, the happy pensioners also appreciated the governor for paying their pensions promptly, declaring: “We, our families and friends, will pray and do our part to see that you continue in office.”

    The retirees said they never lobbied before receiving the gratuities, and hailed the governor for the success of the exercise, which they attributed to “your order of non-interference in the committee’s job of disbursement of the N100 million …”

    State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chukwuma Igbokwe said over 600 retirees had got over N700 million, with arrears from January 2009 to March 2010 cleared.

    The committee said before the governor’s approval, “arrears of gratuities … amounted to N16,123, 841, 779.80”, adding “this amount covers retirees from January 2009 to May 2018.”

    “The beauty of this exercise is that it is devoid of manipulation… Most of the beneficiaries were called unexpectedly to come for their cheques while others on routine check saw their names on the notice board of their Sub-Treasury. They could not believe they could be paid without lobbying anybody for it.

    “…the beneficiaries of this your benevolence have returned like the biblical one leper to say THANK YOU for wiping their tears and bringing succour to their families”, it said.

    A beneficiary, Chief Benjamin Ejibe, thanked Ugwuanyi for rescuing him from his suffering, saying he was in hospital when “I received a call that my name was among those to be paid.”

    Chairman of Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries Mrs. Vivian Eze said “it has never been so before until you came into office…’’

  • Ugwuanyi inaugurates neurosurgical hospital complex

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has inaugurated the second phase of the Memfys Hospital, Enugu, which he said has remained a reference point in the healthcare delivery of the country.

    Flagging off the multi-million naira new complex of the hospital at its 16th anniversary, the governor represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Fintan Ekochin, stated that Memfys Hospital was the single biggest individual contribution to healthcare on the African continent in the area of neurosurgical services.

    He reiterated government’s commitment to render every logistical support that would facilitate the growth of private enterprises in the state.

    While showering praises on the founder of the hospital, Prof. Sam Ohaegbulam, the governor noted that the establishment of the hospital had worked against brain drain in the country, as Nigerian medical professionals now have an institution with state-of-the art facilities where they can practice and conduct surgeries on patients locally instead of travelling overseas.

    According to him “in fact, I am surprised that instead of the director of the centre of excellence for neurosurgery, asking for help, he was more concerned with making a case for an improved healthcare for Nigerians.”

    Ugwuanyi, also disclosed that Enugu State was one of the 10 states in the country that had already implemented the national health insurance adding that the effect of the scheme would be felt next year.

    “We have even gone further than that by introducing universal health coverage which will involve all persons in the state, the workers, parastatals and traders,” he said.

    The founder and medical director of Memfys Hospital, Enugu, Prof. Sam Ohaegbulam, said that the institution was established in 2002 with the objectives of providing high quality patient care, conducting health education and training programmes and engaging in health-related research, especially on the nervous system.

    He stated that apart from phase I which houses most of the hospital activities, the multi-million naira phase 2 building complex being inaugurated, has more than doubled the facilities available at the hospital, which include the clinics, rehabilitation centre, lecture theatre and administrative offices.

    The renowned neurosurgeon said that the master plan is comprehensive and ambitious, stressing that it was envisaged that when fully completed, the hospital would compare with similar institutions anywhere in the world.

    Ohaegbulam expressed joy that before celebrating its 16th anniversary this year, the hospital had graduated from a centre of excellence in Neurosurgery to a national medical centre, offering services in neurology, paediatrics, orthopaedic surgery, radiology, CT scan, MRI and Siemens mobile digital X-Ray and several others.

    On the national health insurance scheme, the UNN’s 10th inaugural lecturer in 1986, called on government at all levels to make it functional to enable Nigerians enjoy its dividends.

    Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of certificates to four newly graduated neurosurgeons by the Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, while cultural dances entertained guests.

  • Lifeline for ailing music icon, Ejeagha

    His illustrious music career spanned decades in which he lifted the culture of the Igbo, making his name a household property. But in his twilight Mike Ejeagha has become the opposite of what he and millions of his fans hoped for. He has found himself in desperate need of cash, and is afflicted by an ailment.

    In his home state Enugu his governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has thrown him a lifeline, picking up his hospital bills and offering him a shoulder to lean on.

    Ejeagha contributed over 300 recordings to the national archives of Nigeria. He tells stories with Igbo proverbs in a distinct manner and has a way with his guitar. He is popularly known as Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.

    He and his wife were gravely ill, and were unable to pay their medical bills. His condition was highlighted in the social media. Moved, Governor Ugwuanyi, a fan of the legend, broke away from his tight official duties to pay an unscheduled visit to the Ejeagha family at their Abakpa Nike home.

    That visit has led to the transformation of Ejeagha, giving him a new lease of life.

    Ugwuanyi at the visit told the ailing and aged musician that he had planned the visit earlier but was drawn back by pressing state functions.

    The governor said that he came to know how he was faring and see how the state government could assist him in his health and other needs as a revered indigene of the state.

    The governor therefore, promised to be paying his medical bills and asked the family to refer his medical details to the state’s teaching hospital, Parklane Enugu for adequate attention.

    He thanked members of his family, especially the wife and daughter for taking care of him, and offered automatic employment to the daughter to enable her take care of her father, accordingly.

    Ejeagha who expressed delight at the governor’s unscheduled visit to ascertain how he was faring, said he was highly impressed that the governor has transformed Enugu State for the better and also entrenched peace and security in the state, assuring him of his support for his re-election in 2019.

    “Your Excellency, I was very happy the day I went to hospital at Ogwuagor, Ugwuoye by First Bus Stop, I saw that the roads have been tarred. Thank you very much for the security in Enugu State. We can now go out at night and come back anytime without any fear of attack by men of the underworld. You have our support and God will continue to lead you”, the lengendary musican said.

    Ejeagha, while thanking the governor for his intervention in his poverty condition, gave his blessing to the governor for his second term in office.

    He prayed that God will continue to bless the governor for his gesture and as well see him through in the coming elections without much hassles.