The
Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as usual featured
prominently in the news in the last three weeks. During the period under
review, Gov. Ugwuanyi was named the “2018 Sun Governor of the Year” for
good governance; rapid rural development; regular payment of workers’
salaries and retirees’ pensions even without the receipt of federal
allocation; nurturing peace and harmony among the political class and
critical support for security agencies, among others.
Prior to this well-deserved feat, the National President of Trade
Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Comrade (Dr.) Bobboi Bala Kaigama,
while in Enugu for the ground breaking of 100 Housing Units for Nigerian
workers, commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his sterling performance in office
and outstanding commitment to the welfare of the state’s civil
servants.
Comrade Kaigama added that his leadership was proud of Gov. Ugwuanyi
for paying workers’ salaries regularly and ensuring that they “have
decent working environment”, saying, “If there is any governor that
Nigerian workers can come up and work for his success particularly for
his second term, we are proud to say that our members will work for
you”.
The housing project under reference is being developed by the Federal
Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in collaboration with Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Nigeria
Employer’s Consultative Association (NECA) and the Enugu State
Government. The Gov. Ugwuanyi administration in fulfillment of one of
its contributions to the speedy actualization of the project, which is
so dear to the workers, recently awarded contract for the construction
of access roads to the site.
Also within the weeks under review, the Rangers International
Football Club of Enugu staged one of the greatest soccer comebacks to
win the 2018 NFF/ AITEO cup after 35 years of the club’s last victory in
the competition. It would be recalled that Enugu Rangers FC, under Gov.
Ugwuanyi’s administration, exhibited similar historic feat when it won
the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) cup – breaking
the jinx of being unable to win a trophy after 32 years.
Also, the World Bank Group rated Enugu State as the second most
advanced state in Nigeria towards the frontier of global good practices
with regards to Ease of Doing Business.
The objective rating, which was contained in the recently released
World Bank Doing Business in Nigeria 2018 report, by implication, proves
that Enugu State, under the visionary leadership of Gov. Ugwuanyi has
institutionalized far-reaching socio-economic reforms and provided
critical infrastructure and security that have engendered a robust
climate of Ease of Doing Business, creating an increased inflow of local
and foreign direct investments in the state. It has also gone a long
way to showcase the ingenuity of the present administration in advancing
the cause of business engagements in the state through innovations,
accountability, fiscal discipline and efficient public expenditure
management for the overall wellbeing of the masses.
Prior to the recent World Bank rating, Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration
had received an avalanche of similar verdicts and commendations from
well-respected bodies. These include the Senate on the judicious
utilization of the bailout funds; the BudgIT report, which listed Enugu,
Lagos and Rivers as the only three states out of the 36 states of the
federation that have fulfilled obligations to their workers; the recent
Economic Confidential magazine verdict that listed Enugu among the seven
states that are solvent with impressive over-30 per cent Internally
Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund additional economic activities.
Others include, the fifth most competitive state in Nigeria,
according to the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria; the third
most debt sustainable State in Nigeria; the first state in Nigeria to
publish its Audited State/Final Account for three consecutive years;
first in the South East geo-political zone and ninth in the country
based on IGR as against Federal Allocation; one of the twelve states in
Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations, among others.
The climax of the weeks’ event in favour of Gov. Ugwuanyi was the
Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s validation of the gale of endorsements for the
governor’s re-election by various groups across the state and beyond.
The Enugu State chapter of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization,
which made the stance during its rich and colouful Iri-Ji (New Yam)
Festival held at the popular Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, stated that
the validation was “an ultimate Seal of Authority in Igbo Land”.
The highly revered body added that it was also “the most bankable
promissory note that beckons on the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) for a Certificate of Return to His Excellency, Rt.
Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Lawrence Ugwuanyi as the governor-elect in Enugu
State come 2019”.
Speaking on behalf of the excited members of the organization’s state
chapter, its President, Chief Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, further
explained that they were amazed at the list of numerous groups in the
state that have endorsed the governor for a second term in office, which
included – “The traditional rulers council and the members of their
cabinets; Association of former elected Local Government Chairmen; Enugu
State Amalgamated Traders Association; Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN); National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS).
Others, according to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, include, “NULGE/ LG Pensioners;
NURTW; National Assembly members; Enugu State Resident Doctors
Association; Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT); Nigerian Labour Congress
(NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC); Association of Former
Members of Enugu State House of Assembly; Judiciary Staff Union of
Nigeria (JUSUN), etc”.
It is also remarkable to note that the ex-councilors in the state,
between 1999-2015, have thrown their weight behind the governor’s second
term bid in 2019 and more groups have continued to endorse him,
accordingly, based on his outstanding performance and uncommon
leadership style.
Speaking further, the chapter’s President applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi’s
“steady trajectory of massive infrastructural developments” stressing
that it has “turned Enugu State into a huge and seamless construction
site with all the tiers of government, namely the federal, state and the
local at work in project implementation synergy”.
According to him, “the above observations by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo,
Enugu State Chapter, are reinforced by the clamour for endorsements of
Governor Ugwuanyi for his re-election as the governor of Enugu State in
the 2019 general election”, revealing that “well over 100 groups have
endorsed Governor Ugwuanyi to run for a second term” and “the list of
such groups above is a tip of the iceberg”.
In his remark, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia
Nwodo, who witnessed the historic cultural festival with Gov. Ugwuanyi
and other dignitaries, noted that the validation by the Enugu State
chapter of the organization was an outward demonstration of solidarity
for the governor, saying that “you (Ugwuanyi) are such a humble man that
I don’t know how low you can get again in order to show more humility”.
His words: “Well I cannot say anything rather than that I have noted
with great satisfaction what the people of Enugu State have said today.
And when I summon the next meeting of Ime-Obi Ohanaeze, which is the
highest decision making organ in Igboland, we will take into
consideration what was said today because Ohanaeze must look at all our
governors and their respective states and say our opinions as to who has
been doing well. On this note, I say congratulations to you, Governor
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as we invite you to come and appreciate what we are
doing today”.
During the recent workers’ 100 housing units’ ground breaking
ceremony, the TUC National President recalled that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s
administration had provided similar 100 units of one-bedroom apartments
for the state’s civil servants between grade levels 01-10, who became
proud landlords, after the state government paid 54 percent Equity
Contribution.
Appreciating him further, Comrade Kaigama declared that “Gov.
Ugwuanyi is second to none in the provision of workers’ welfare in the
South East geo-political zone”, and “a performer and humble leader” who
listens when it comes to challenges confronting the workers and the
entire people of the state. He stated that the governor has set the pace
for other states to emulate, stressing that “Enugu State is working
under your leadership and that is not only because you are a performer,
but you exhibit the sense of performance with humility”.
According to him, “we would say it anywhere because you have done it
and you are still doing it. We assure that the working class not only in
Enugu State but also in the entire nation is supporting you on your
efforts to deliver the dividends of democracy”.
From the foregoing, it is being reaffirmed that Gov. Ugwuanyi has
continued to make a positive mark in the governance of Enugu State,
through his selfless service, vision, strength of leadership, sheer
dexterity, and passion for the wellbeing of the people of the state –
the true heroes of democracy. It is therefore, expected of the people to
continue to reciprocate this gesture through their solidarity, goodwill
and support.
Amoke, writes from Enugu State
Source:
http://dailypost.ng/2018/10/31/louis-amoke-gov-ugwuanyis-show-strength-selfless-service/Labels: POLITICS
Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of Qatar Airways Akbar al-Baker (L) and Jose
Manuel Astigarraga, the secretary general of the South American football
federation CONMEBOL.
Super Eagles and NFF Officials in a meeting.
Pakistan
on the map.
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Senator Ademola Adeleke
