The above subject is in recognition of Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi avowal to remain committed to the business of governance which brought him into the Lion Building in 2015 till the last day in 2023, when he would be kissing the seat of government in Enugu bye. As one who has closely observed Ugwuanyi’s trajectories in government so far, I’m confident that God must have been thoroughly satisfied with his accomplishments in leadership position and would enable him to move up the political ladder to impact a greater percentage of the Nigerian citizens. As with the Biblical David, this David also must have earned God’s grace and favour.
I was in the city of Enugu a few months back for personal reasons. As one who takes more than a passing interest in what goes around me, I took a trip along the popular Ogui road in the heart of the city which harbors the magnificent Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium among other popular outlets dotting the entire stretch of the road. A quick glance at the outward appearance of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium nudged my subconscious to make a stop over in front of the stadium to enable me get inside of it to make my own appraisal.
It is important to mention here that the popular Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu has become the pride of the Igbos ever since the gigantic facility was built by the then old Anambra state in collaboration with the private sector and finally inaugurated in 1986. Aside hosting several national, international and global sporting events which was usually assigned to it due to it’s strategic location in Enugu as a rallying point of the South East Geopolitical Zone, the stadium has also hosted several other cultural events like the rested popular “Mmawu” festival, political conventions and rallies and in the process earning reasonable funds into the state government coffers. Even today, the many office spaces located in the precincts of the stadium might have continued to earn some revenue for the government, even while the edifice is gradually turning to a shadow of it’s former state both inside and out which has become a function of continuous government lackadaisical approach to maintenance of existing facilities.
For a leader for delights in a holistic approach to governance, Gov. Ugwuanyi should therefore be applauded for taking a bull by it’s horn by commencing a total overhaul of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium’s pitch. Not contented with the annual routine maintenance of the facility as confirmed by the state Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Nzekwe, the Governor must have been sufficiently briefed to embark on the facelift of the facility starting with the soccer pitch, I’m confident that the entire edifice will equally receive Ugwuanyi’s midas touch. Over the years, governor Ugwuanyi has proven to be a leader who is sufficiently energized to walk his talk. His many developmental projects across the state since his assumption of office has stood him out as a man who does not delight in mere political statements but would do everything within the available resources to take care of the government responsibilities. The on going comprehensive overhaul of the pitch of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu which is meant to bring the stadium at par with international standard, will continue to keep Enugu State in the global map as no reasonable sporting event will ever take place in the Nigeria soil without the recommendation of the stadium as a preferred venue.
The value chain in the economy of the state would be simply unimaginable.
Going by the enormous applause Gov. Ugwuanyi has received following this move by his administration to install the state of the art turf in line with the requirements of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Licensing Regulation on sports infrastructure and facilities, there is no doubt that Ndi Enugu appreciates a leader who thinks the way of the masses. Governor Ugwuanyi will surely go down in history as a leader simply in a class of his own. He would be recorded as a leader who came, saw and delivered on his mandate.
Enugu State Is surely in the hands of God with Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Bibian Anekwe news added; “ A successful leader isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”
Written by
Austin Okechukwu Chijioke.
Public Affairs Commentator.
Media Team Member of ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
