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  • Peace, security behind my success, says Ugwuanyi

    Peace, security behind my success, says Ugwuanyi

    •Gburugburu Movement inaugurated

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has attributed the development strides recorded by his administration to the peace and security in the state.

    Ugwuanyi spoke at a reception in his honour by the people of Nsukka Local Government Area. The “Gburugburu Movement” was also inaugurated at the event.

    The governor urged members of Gburugburu Movement to reconcile various warring groups and individuals in their different areas, saying: “This government is for peace”.

    The governor, who stressed that Enugu is known for peace, added that it was because of this that the state is adjudged one of the safest in the country.

    He also appealed to the people to continue to pray for his administration, noting that their prayers helped to resolve the salary crisis even when some other states could not pay.

    He said: “I will continue to lead and render selfless service to you and the people with the fear of God.”

    Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area Patrick Omeje said the people are “eternally grateful” to Ugwuanyi for the good works his administration has done, especially in Nsukka, in less than two and half years.

    “These good works, visible to even the blind and audible to the deaf, have gone a long way in transforming Nsukka to a mini mega city in line with your promise when you assumed office,” he said.

    The Director-General of Gburugburu Movement, Senator Fidelis Okoro, explained that it is a support group of the governor launched to consolidate his firm footing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of 2019.

    Sen. Okoro urged the people of the council area to join the movement, noting that it is open for everybody and targeted at every nook and cranny of the state.

    He also stressed the importance of voters’ card, urging the people to go and register to be able to transfer their support and love for the governor into reality for him to continue with his good works in the state.

    Other speakers such as Senator Chukwuka Utazi; Rt. Hon. Pat Asadu; Amb. Justina Eze; Commissioner for Housing, Barr. Peter Okonkwo, etc, appreciated the peace and good governance in the state and commended the governor for his uncommon leadership style and commitment to the wellbeing of the people of the state.

     

  • Ugwuanyi awards N1.04 billion road contracts

    Ugwuanyi awards N1.04 billion road contracts

    The Enugu State Executive Council (EXCO) has awarded contracts for the construction of another set of urban and rural roads worth over N1billion, in keeping with the state government’s infrastructural development initiatives and its resolve to continue to touch the lives of the people positively.

    Addressing newsmen on the outcome of the council’s meeting, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji disclosed that the roads awarded for construction were the Ugwuaji road junction-Nwobodo Nnam- Umunnaji-Onukwue streets, Maryland, Enugu; the Ugwuaku internal roads, Abakpa; the Abagana/Orofia street roads, Independence Layout, Enugu and the Okpu Orba-Agu Orba road extension.

    It would be recalled that the Ugwuanyi administration had last week awarded contracts for the construction of six major roads across the state at the sum of N2.4 billion, covering the Eha-Amufu-Nkalagu federal road at Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, which has been in a deplorable condition.

    Other road contracts awarded last week include the extension of the Agbani-Afor Amurri road; the extension of Ituku road; the construction of Ogonogoeji Ndi Agu Akpugo road (Atavu Bailey Bridge –Afor Onovo); the construction of 42 meter span Bailey bridge and road works across Nyama River to Amechi-Linking Umuogo and Umuagba Amechi Uno/ Obeagu community, mostly located in Nkanu West L.G.A.

    At the press briefing, yesterday, Engr. Nnaji stated that the council’s  decision was sequel to the recommendations of the Enugu State Urban Renewal Committee that is responsible for the upgrade, restoration and development of Enugu urban, saying: “If you are very conversant with Kenyatta market, Timber market, Awkunanaw street, you will notice that we have taken the road from Awkunanaw street to Loma-Linda junction and have equally awarded the road contract from Loma-Linda junction to Ugwuaji flyover to ensure free access mobility into Enugu”.

    He added: “This time around, you can come into Enugu city from Ugwuaji, do your business and exit without any hitch. The newly awarded Ugwuaji road junction-Nwobodo Nnam- Umunnaji-Onukwue streets in Maryland, Enugu, is the road connecting Maryland and Achara Layout, Enugu, across Ndemde River”.

    The works commissioner further explained that the Agbagana/Orofia roads off Nza Street was an interconnecting roads that would enable motorists access the New Artisan from Independence layout, stressing that due diligence was taken to ensure that quality work is delivered.

    On the Ugwuaku internal roads at Abakpa, Engr. Nnaji hinted that the state government in furtherance of its efforts to strengthen the new look it recently gave to the satellite town through the rehabilitation of several roads, awarded the Harmony Estate road to enable the people of the area easy access to Enugu urban.

    On other rural roads awarded, the works commissioner said: “We have made a touch again to the rural areas with the vision of creating more urban centres for socio-economic growth”.

    In his briefing, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe, told newsmen that the council deliberated further on the issue of distribution and reticulation of water in the state through independent power supply.

    Mr. Anikwe announced that the council has put a temporary halt on the conversion of civil servants under the Civil Service Commission, pending the conclusion of the review of the extant laws of the commission, revealing that the committee for the disbursement of the Local Government Parish Club refunds will present its report next week.

  • Enugu poll: Ugwuanyi and his 2019 calculations

    Enugu poll: Ugwuanyi and his 2019 calculations

    As Enugu State prepares for next year’s governorship poll, Uchenna Nwobodo highlights the achievements of Governor Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi, which may qualify him for a second term in office.

    The Gburugburu narration is one that brings smiles to the faces of the of people of Enugu State. His name is Ifeanyichukwu, which translates to “Nothing is insurmountable to God.” Close associates however, said Gburugburu is actually his chieftaincy title, but has now almost subsumed his name. Gburugburu means “Every Where.”

    Indeed, since the quest to serve the people of Enugu state a broader level made him leave the House of Representatives where he gave his federal constituency quality representation for 12 years, to seek election as the state Governor, he has been living out his name and title. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s victory at the 2015 Enugu state governorship contest brought with a new lease of life for the people of the state.

    Essentially, as his first name, Ifeanyichukwu, implies, Governor Ugwuanyi, putting God first, has been able to surmount vagaries of office to wrought uncommon transformation on Enugu state. And as a Gburugburu, the enchanting Ugwuanyi story is a common refrain on the lips of Enugu people. The story of how he turned Enugu around just within two and half years of assumption of office has become a melodious song on the lips of the people.

    Ugwuanyi has solidly stamped his presence everywhere in the state in the mould of signatures projects of his three year old administration.

    The Ugwuanyi phenomena is emotionally and vividly captured here: There is a touching correlation between 1919, the governor and Amuri, a sleepy community in Nkanu West local government area of the state. The British colonial administration had intervened on the Community’s road in 1919 with a signpost to show for it.The signpost still stands till today as a nostalgic reminder of the ‘benevolence’ of the British colonial overlords to Amuri . As narrated by the people, since 1919, successive governments in the state have turned their backs on Amuri and treated them as second citizens as no form of infrastructural development has taken place in their community.

    A hundred years later, Amuri has got a new ‘signpost’ courtesy governor Ugwuayi- a road his administration constructed in the community- and the people are ecstatic. When the governor visited Amuri recently to inspect the road, his presence elicited wild excitement as the people enthusiastically trooped out to welcome him.

    Ugwuanyi’s intervention in Amurri is also true of other parts of the state. His state-wide people oriented socio- economic and infrastructural re-invention of Enugu resonates in all nooks and crannies of the state. Indeed, Ugwuanyi’s wondrous achievements within the two and half years he has been on the saddle speak for him. Avalanche of unsolicited 2019 second term endorsements he has received so far have their locale in his achievements. The people of Enugu are appreciative and want him back in 2019.All they want is Gburugburu and no one else.

    Ugwuanyi is unassuming and has no airs around him. And unlike some of his brother-governors; the Enugu state helmsman does not dance to the gallery. And  is not a slave to media propaganda in terms of showing off his achievements. As a Public Relations guru, the governor knows that publics deserve undiluted truth rather than pernicious propagandas, instead of trumpeting, hyping his government’s projects that dot the state’s landscape in the media or listing non existing projects as his, he delivers visible, verifiable projects and allow the people to do the trumpeting, cheering and clapping themselves. This has earned him unprecedented goodwill no governor of the state has ever enjoyed in the history of Enugu state.

    Primate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr.Kanu Uche , normally not one to heap effusive praises on politicians, says Ugwuanyi is exceptional and deserves a 2019 come back. To the Methodist Church leader, Ugwuanyi is a poster boy of good and purposeful governance. His words: “Any governor or politician who wants to be re-elected in 2019 must perform as that is the best campaign to give to the people the dividend of democracy.”

    Then, the clincher: “Governor Ugwuanyi has done very well…even those in graves, if they are allowed to vote will vote for you, the performing governor of Enugu state. This man is using the resources given to him very well to develop the state”.

    Like former President Goodluck Jonathan who in one of his famous speeches had declared ‘I have no enemies to fight’, Ugwuanyi, evidently has no enemies to fight in Enugu politics. The state has in the past been the hotbed of octane political wrangling.

    In terms of peaceful political atmosphere and tolerance, Ugwuanyi’s Enugu is a clean break from the Enugu of his two immediate predecessors during whose tenures the state witnessed debilitating political fisticuffs and endless feuds among its political actors. However, the bi-partisan approach to politics which Ugwuanyi brought to bear on his relationship with politicians across parties in the state is largely responsibility for the prevailing tranquility in Enugu’s political turf.

    Senator Gilbert Nnaji representing Enugu East describes Dovish Ugwuanyi in the following flowery terms: ‘The prevailing peace, political tolerance and bi-partisan disposition that defines his government rekindle hope that of a truth there can be dividends of democracy without necessarily deploying state resources to suppress dissenting voices. He has unified the leaders and elders of the state such that political parties in the state today merely exist in the books even as access to better life is no longer determined by political consideration or other illogical sentiments. His commitment to things that benefits the masses as against personal interests of the privileged few as it is unprecedented.”

    Evidence of his harmonious relationship with the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC in the state can be gleaned from praises often heaped on him by leaders of the party.APC National Vice Chairman, South east, Emma Eneukwu eulogies Ugwuanyi thus: “Governor Ugwuanyi has created a peaceful atmosphere that has made it possible for everybody to be one when it comes to issues concerning the state”.

    Other APC leaders, including Second Republic governor of the old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Director-General of Voice of Nigeria,Osita Okechukwu and Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyema, have kind words for Ugwuanyi.

    Ugwuanyi’s shrewd management of financial resources of Enugu state in the face of debilitating economic challenges is one of the hallmarks of his administration. His judicious use of the Paris Club refund recently earned him commendation from Senator Abdullahi Gumel, Chairman of the Senate Committee on State and local government administration who acknowledged the Governor’s transparency and accountability in the application of the fund. Senator Gumel: “We have gone through the books and as far as the bailout funds are concerned, everything is in order .In fact, Enugu state has even gone further because we haven’t seen this in any other state”.

    It confounds many that Ugwuanyi executed the transformative projects without borrowing a dime unlike many of his counterparts. However, being an Accountant and manager of money, Ugwuanyi knows the benefits of financial discipline and prudency.

    Appreciative of the their governor’s solid stamps on sands of time, outpouring of supports and endorsements for Ugwuanyi’s yet to be declared second term has been overwhelming. , For example traders in the state recently shut markets and poured into the famous Michael Okpara Square for a rally in support of his re-election in 2019. The traders are enamored by Ugwuanyi’s innovative human development and empowerment programme which ensures that 100 of them (traders) win #50,000 every month to help expand their businesses.

    Commercial Tricycle riders, motorcyclists among many other groups and associations in the state have also organized  huge rallies thanking Ugwuanyi for his magical strides and endorsing his return in 2019.

    Apart from his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which has since expressly given its nod for Ugwuanyi’s second term, various political parties in the state under the aegis of Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC has also endorsed him for second term. Many prominent chieftains of the main opposition in the state, APC agree Ugwuanyi is a good product that must be kept hence they are massively working for his re-election albeit secretly for the fear of being accused of anti-party activities by their party.

    Senator Nnaji wants fellow PDP members in the state nursing the ambition of jostling for the party’s 2019 guber ticket with Ugwuanyi to bury the idea because “in keeping faith with his electoral promises, he has radically changed the narratives and conspicuously raised the bar of good governance and service delivery .His people –oriented, all inclusive and responsive leadership has indeed entrenched a new order where everyone and every part truly belong”

    Workers in the state’s civil service say they have never had it so good as they applaud Governor Ugwuanyi for paying them 13th month salary last December. Enugu retirees are also singing the governor’s adulation for not owing them pensions. The Nigerian Labour Unions say Enugu under Ugwuanyi comes tops in the areas of minimum wage implementation.

    Apart from Primate Kanu, prominent clergymen in Enugu are equally bearing witnesses to the governor’s sterling performance. These include two fiery priests, the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Emmanuel Chukwuma and Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry (AMEN) fame.

    While Enugu indigenes and other Nigerians who are awed by Ugwuanyi’s massive re-engineering of Enugu stridently endorse him for second term, others are already carving a role for him beyond 2019 and seeing him through the prism of 2023.One of such persons is Ebere Wabara, a columnist and social commentator. Said Wabara in a piece recently: “I have the conviction that, at the opportune time, Governor Ugwuanyi would be thinking of Igbo presidency and his robust prospects. He should begin to luxuriate on that presently since his re-election is a foregone matter on the ground of his leadership quintessence and currency exponential endorsements”

    With the massive state-wide goodwill he enjoys on the account of his trail blazing performance, 2019 governorship contest in Enugu looks good to be one duel between Gburugburu and Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi. For, as it is said in Nigeria’s local political parlance, there is no vacancy in Enugu State Government House!

    • Nwobodo writes from Nike, Enugu.
  • Ugwuanyi procures 10,000 set top boxes for poor rural dwellers

    Ugwuanyi procures 10,000 set top boxes for poor rural dwellers

    Following the Federal Government’s launch of the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) from analogue to digital television broadcasting in Enugu, the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration has procured 10,000 set top boxes for free distribution to some low income households.

    Speaking at a ceremony at the zonal headquarters of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Enugu, Ugwuanyi stated that the procurement was to enable less endowed families access more channels in line with innovation in the broadcasting industry.

    The governor  added that his administration also took the decision because of the significant cost of digital cut-over on the consumer, who will have to source set top boxes to enable their analogue televisions receive digital signals.

    Ugwuanyi said that the government was delighted to “fully” support the digitisation process, which he said “will increase the channels available to Enugu TV viewers, expand and deepen educational content, reduce the cost of deploying and managing costly state television infrastructure, and ultimately improve the IGR of local governments”.  “As a state, we are fully conscious of possible discomfort that economically challenged families will face when they experience disruption in accessing free-to-air television. This, in our judgment, is the major reason the federal government has committed to produce and subsidize 10-million set top boxes for distribution to poor households in Nigeria.

    Ugwuanyi expressed delight that Enugu is the No. 5 in the country to cutover to digital television broadcasting after Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, Kwara and Kaduna states, adding that the state also has the distinction of being the first in the Southsouth

     

    The governor  praised the Federal Government, especially the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for the resolute manner they have pursued the Digital Switch-Over agenda despite the daunting challenges, stressing that “there is every reason to support the switchover from analogue to digital television broadcasting”.

    Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed thanked the governor for his presence at the event, noting that Enugu is the third state the Federal Government has launched the Digital Switch-Over in the last two months.

    Also speaking, Director General of NBC, Mallam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, stated that the Federal Government was making the transition from analogue to digital a reality, stressing that the benefits are enormous as viewers will gradually appreciate the vision behind the initiative.

  • WHO lauds Ugwuanyi on primary health care

    WHO lauds Ugwuanyi on primary health care

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has congratulated Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the success of the Primary Health care system in the state.

    The organisation’s representative in charge of measles prevention, Mrs. Eunice Ajayi, who spoke at the kick-off of the rescheduled second round of the 2017 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), was happy at Ugwuanyi’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery.

    She noted that the governor has been supportive in terms of counterpart funding.

    Her words: “From what I have seen so far, Enugu State is set to take the first position in the implementation of this campaign because all hands are on deck”.

    Mrs. Ajayi, who reiterated the agency’s commitment towards strengthening maternal and child healthcare delivery in Enugu, said she was in the state to “support and supervise the upcoming measles campaign” scheduled for March.

    She reaffirmed the determination of WHO to ensure that programmes are implemented according to international standard for the interest of beneficiaries.

    Ugwuanyi explained that the introduction of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health programme was prompted by the need to address the unacceptably high maternal, newborn and child mortality rates in Nigeria, and to explore the most effective ways to control it.

     

     

     

  • Ugwuanyi, Obiano flay boundary disputes, sue for peace

    Ugwuanyi, Obiano flay boundary disputes, sue for peace

    ENUGU State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his Anambra State counterpart, Willie Obiano have moved to resolve conflicts arising from boundary disputes in border communities of the two states. The governors decried the fightings and killings in the border communities and charged the people to sheathe their sword. Speaking when Enugu and Anambra state delegates met at the Government House, Enugu, to resolve the lingering boundary dispute between Awba Ofe Mmili in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State and Ibite Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Ugwuayin sued for peaceful co-existence among communities along boundary areas.

    The governor who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, stated that both states have a strong socio-cultural affinity and should as a result enjoy an enduring peace especially at their border areas. “In approaching this matter of boundary disputes between Enugu and Anambra, we should have at the back of our minds that Enugu and Anambra people are bound together by sociocultural ties. We have lived together prior to the carving out of both Enugu and the new Anambra states from the old Anambra State in 1991. State creation exercise was not meant to divide, it is rather for administrative conveniences,” the governor noted. He informed the people of an existing legal boundary instrument with the National Boundary Commission which, according to him, clearly defined the demarcation.

    The governor commended the federal government for intervening in the matter in 2006 and 2011, and urged the communities to be law-abiding. Corroborating Gov. Ugwuanyi’s remark about the historical ties between both states, the deputy governor of Anambra State, Hon. Nkem Okeke, noted that such conflicts would be avoided if the people always remember that human life is ephemeral whereas lands will remain in existence. Hon. Okeke who represented Gov. Willie Obiano, said: “I know as Igbos we do not play with land; we take land as if our life depends on it, we fight for it with everything we have. But when you die, the land will be there for generations after. The fighting and killings are not worth it.” He called for a mutually acceptable resolution and charged communities in the dispute to sheathe their swords, adding that government officials responsible for boundary demarcation will soon find a lasting solution to the conflict.

  • ‘Ugwuanyi has helped our command’

    ‘Ugwuanyi has helped our command’

    Enugu State Police Commissioner Mohammed Danmallam has attributed the success of the command to the support of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    He spoke yesterday while inaugurating a block of six self-contained accommodation and water reticulation facility at the Anti-Cultism Squad Office in Enugu.

    Danmallam said administration had assisted security agencies, especially the police, “since I assumed office.’’

    “About 70 per cent of the success recorded in Enugu State in fighting crime can be attributed to the support from Ugwuanyi.

    “The political leadership has rallied round the police and their activities. The state has been made safe through this commitment.

    “We are grateful for the partnership we have with the residents, who are joining us to nip crime in the bud,’’ he said.

    The police boss hailed the governor as a man of his words, honour and peace, saying: “Ugwuanyi’s resolve to keep Enugu safe is reflecting in the state.’’

    On the projects, Danmallam said the Commander of the  Anti-Cultism Squad, Chidobe Ekeleme, had keyed-in into the principles of community policing as laid down by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris.

    He noted that the squad partnered well-meaning people in reducing cultism and students-cum-youth unrest.

    “I will not fail to thank eminent and honourable people living here, who have assisted the squad in its operations and in the building of this project.

    “We are appealing to residents to give us intelligence information on criminals, which will be treated with seriousness and confidentiality,’’ Danmallam said.

    Ekeleme said the squad brought peace to the state by quelling cultism and fishing out cultists.

    “By the active and pragmatic encouragement of the commissioner, we have recorded this moderate success so far,’’ he said.

    The commander said the projects would be executed through direct labour by officers and men of the squad.

    NAN reports that on July 19, Danmallam inaugurated a block of office rooms complemented with a fence and a borehole in the squad’s office.

     

  • Ugwuanyi opens isolation ward at Colliery Hospital

    Ugwuanyi opens isolation ward at Colliery Hospital

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has reaffirmed his determination to transform the health sector and transform the state into a choice destination for medical tourism.

    The governor, represented by his deputy Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, spoke when he opened the renovated and re-equipped isolation ward at the Colliery Hospital, Enugu.

    He said the government will continue to make efforts to upgrade and equip existing health facilities and institutions.

    “There is no doubt the renovation and equipping of this ward would help to enhance efficiency in our response to medical emergencies,” he noted, adding that the centre would also prove vital in the training of medical students and other medical professionals towards the effective containment of such cases.

    The governor hailed the Ministry of Health for its commitment to the speedy completion of the project, and also thanked the WHO, UNICEF and the Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, for their support.

     

  • IGR: Ugwuanyi bans manual collection of revenues

    IGR: Ugwuanyi bans manual collection of revenues

    IN a bid to fully actualize the ongoing reform programmes in the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has stopped manual collection of government revenues in the state in order to align with the current realities in the sector. Speaking during the commissioning of the Revenue Centre of the board, in Enugu, which also witnessed the launch of the Government Revenue Automation Project as well as release of operational vehicles, the governor declared that “the era of manual collection of government revenues is over.”

    He consequently directed the state’s Internal Revenue Service to ensure that it eliminates manual processes in its operations, stressing that the new order is the automation of all activities in the collection of government revenue, such as enumeration, assessment, collections and issuance of tax clearance certificates, levies, fees and other non-tax revenues by various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government. He disclosed that the objective of the project “is to once and for all, plug all loopholes through which government funds seep out to private pockets, eliminate corruption and ensure that all revenues are properly accounted for in a transparent manner”.

  • Ugwuanyi’s Christmas bonus for workers

    Ugwuanyi’s Christmas bonus for workers

    FEW days ago, the Ugwuanyi administration in Enugu State in its magnanimity approved a 13th month salary for the civil servants of the state to assist them celebrate the festive season with ease.

    In the package, state workers will receive double their basic salary this month of December – an unprecedented considering the severe economic challenges being encountered today particularly at a time many states are unable to pay workers’ salaries, not to talk of executing capital projects.

    In Enugu State, the story is different: Ugwuanyi is paying workers’ salaries regularly; he is in fact recruiting more workers, particularly school teachers; executing numerous capital projects across the state; awarding multiple contracts for development projects.  Yet he still deemed it necessary to pay workers the 13th month salary as Christmas bonus.

    Also worthy of note is the fact that the bonus, which has the approval of the Enugu State Executive Council, was freely given to the workers without them asking or agitating for it.

    Kudos must, therefore, go to the labour-friendly governor for such a brave and timely gesture, which has received a lot of applause from not only the workers themselves but also from all segments of the society.

    In spite of the nation’s harsh economic climate and the fact that Enugu State is third from the bottom of the federal allocation chart, Ugwuanyi has remained undaunted and up-to-date in the payment of workers’ salaries and retirees’ pensions, which is one of the cardinal objectives of his administration.

    Interestingly, the 13th month salary bonus reaffirms and re-echoes the recent verdict by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), which listed Enugu as one of the few states in the country that is “up-to-date in payment of workers’ salaries and pensions”.

    While observing that 23 states of the federation currently owed workers arrears of salaries ranging from one to 24 months, NULGE had noted that “only states like Lagos, Anambra, Enugu, Bauchi, among others are up-to-date in payment of salaries and pensions.”  The verdict, no doubt, demonstrates Ugwuanyi’s commitment to workers’ welfare and his ingenuity as well as passion for the common good of the people of the state.

    The governor as an economist and a financial expert strongly believes that the economy of Enugu as a civil service state can only be reactivated to alleviate the sufferings of the people of the state, when workers’ salaries are paid regularly. This vision has remained one of the guiding principles of his administration to “deploy government services to create fair and equal opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living and create wealth, educate our children, and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment”.

    It would be recalled that the governor in his inaugural address, promised to lead a lean government to free up resources and channel them to the real development issues. He stated that his administration will look inwards and harness those potentials which free oil money has blinded the country from exploiting.

    The governor promised to reward the electorate “who defied rain and sunshine to ensure that their votes counted” and indeed the entire people of the state (who he describes as “the true heroes of democracy), with good governance. He also pledged that his administration “must match our faith with the right decisions and good work”.

    Ugwuanyi equally declared his firm belief in the miracle of five loaves and two fish to feed the people of Enugu State, believing that God will give his administration the wisdom and courage to successfully navigate the state through the current economic crunch, among others.

    Today, one is delighted to note that less than three years into his administration, these promises centred on the well-being of the people are being delivered systematically.

    Reacting to the 13th month Christmas bonus, an elated state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Virginus Nwobodo, described the gesture as a surprise package unprecedented in the history of the state especially in the light of the nation’s economic downturn that has made it impossible for many states to pay workers’ salaries.

    While commending Governor Ugwuanyi for the offer borne out of his magnanimity and an incentive to the workers to motivate them to discharge their duties more efficiently, the labour leader urged the state workers to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to increase productivity.

    Also speaking, the state chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, who equally appreciated the state government’s gesture, noted that the beauty of the offer was that the workers never asked or agitated for it.

    He said: “It was freely given to us and because of that it is another milestone in this administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. and Comrade Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who is always passionate about workers’ welfare”

    Comrade Igbokwe, who stated that the workers are part of the Enugu project, maintained that the leadership of the union and the workers will continue to appreciate the gesture and reciprocate by discharging their responsibilities for the growth and development of the state.

    In a separate reaction, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) joined in commending Ugwuanyi for his uncommon gesture, saying that “Enugu State has proved to the Nigerian nation that she remains the trailblazer and the standard for good governance and workers’ welfare”.

    The students through a statement by its state chairman, Comrade Chidi Ilogebe, said that “at a time when some state governments cannot pay workers and pensioners, with some owing up to 14 months arrears, the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is miraculously paying up to the 13th month”.

    Describing the bonus as a surprise gift, the students said: “Your Excellency, you left everybody deep in thought, thinking if Enugu is now a miracle ground where five loaves and two fishes were being used to feed thousands”, adding: “The entire students populace of Enugu State numbering over one million have given their voices in commendation of your giant strides in the state”.

    In a similar development, the teachers of the state recently staged a mass solidarity rally for Ugwuanyi in appreciation of his good works and the remarkable achievements in the education sector. The rally, which commenced with a road-walk in Enugu, saw the enthusiastic teachers dancing and singing solidarity songs in appreciation of the governor and his good works.

    The teachers, who declared their firm support for the governor in 2019, conferred on him the title of “Odozi Obodo I” of Enugu State, meaning the Reformer of Society.

    As Ugwuanyi continues to spread good governance to all strata of the economy, it is the responsibility of the public to encourage and support his peace and good governance initiatives, aimed at impacting positively on the lives of the people, for truly, Enugu State is in the hands of God.

     

    • Amoke writes from Enugu, Enugu State.