It is pretty humbug for any sane Nigerian to falsely assume that every thing is alright with Nigeria of today. Infact, such sheerest pretext flys in the face of rural dwellers who in the real sense had a fair share of the deal. In 2019, a friable country report from Washington DC pitched Nigeria as the 4th most unstable country. From all ramifications the report was unarguably correct extrapolating horrific events of today. Our aversion to history have made us repeat past mistakes times and again. Missteps of political actors of post-colonial Nigeria are the progenies of our today’s bane. Insecurities pervades the land, scores of deaths recorded daily, citizens are grappling with what could be adjudged a turbulent situation with no clear salvation at sight. That the country is set on a cliff of abyss is a fact subject to individual perception and conviction.
Surprisenly, while the hoi polloi of Nigeria strain with the below a dollar despicable living the high and the mighty cares not a fig, a hoot to utter the situation. Now in 2023, they will come for your votes precisely the Presidency seat, not minding how our lives have been tossed about, sprawled in the mud.
But with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, GBURUGBURU of Africa, there’s glitter of hope for better Nigeria. Though we have chosen Politics of tribalism and sectionalism over meritocracy, efficiency, accountability and respect for human rights, rule of law and independence of the Judiciary. The Nigerian political firmament is now embossed with hoarse clamour for Igbo Presidency even from the Northern quarters, whether that be a Greek gift or dangling carrots is somewhat unrevealing. I abide by the reasoning that what a bleeding, fragile and tumultuous country like Nigeria needs is a professional healer, a well discerning arbitrator and a comforter to bind those yesteryears scars freshly lacerated by the acrimony and politics of expropriation, exclusion and insensitivity of today. A leader with high sense of security intel, vast in other sectors of economy not an Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo president. That the Igbos of Nigeria have been subjected to a monumental degree of marginalisation and absolutely stripped of any touch of belongingness in the Nigerian enterprise is put beyond question. Infact, it can never constitute a fact in issue. What should be a sort of worry to us as Nigerians is who can take responsibility of the oval office and make the much sought after redress?
Assuming without conceding to the fact that South East is to field a candidate for the Presidency, by overwhelming consensus Gov. Ugwuanyi picks the ticket. He is an academic maven, a cognoscente and connoisseur with a degree and Masters bagged in Business Administration, in the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka. His vast knowledge in business nudged him into highly placed positions in the lower house of the National Assembly. Ugwuanyi served as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Pension where he assiduously worked out the revamping and revolutionary enactment of Pension Act 2004. Between 2003 and 2007 the astute Governor while in the House of Representatives served as the Deputy Chairman of the House on Public Service Matters. He then capped it later as the two times Chairman of the House Committee on Marine Transportation a position none has held consecutively,thus carving a niche for himself in the pages of Nigeria legislative history. It was the trust and confidence, his colleagues and the General House had in him that afforded that opportunity. For 12years he meritoriously served his people, IgboEze North/Udenu Federal Constituency until he clinched the gubernatorial seat devoid of a healthy rival.
In Enugu State, Ugwuanyi is a true messiah. All sectors of Enugu State economy received breathe of life. Urban and rural facelift here and there. Enugu State was ranked 6th State amongst the 36 States whose internal revenue can be judiciously expended in the governance of the state without Federal grant. Too numerous an award have been bagged by the state government for developmental milestones. No space for discrimination even across political lines. This style of leadership buoyed Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazi, Pope Francis’s representative in his visit to Enugu State, he said” You(Ugwuanyi) has faithfully served the church; you’re a good Governor; you’re a Governor to everyone living in the state; Catholic and non Catholic; from every group you are the father of the family for everybody and of course things are not separated”. The Nuncio added that he was inspired by the leadership of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in maintaining a crisis-free state. Yes he was absolutely right. Even the blind need no spiritual lens, nor the deaf any ultrasound machine in ascertaining the obvious. Ugwuanyi has been a compassionate father to all. Muslims in the state propagate and manifest their beliefs both in private and public without harassment nor unlawful interference. Ugwuanyi believes in justice, equity and fairness.
No wonder he was a recipient of the Metro Eireanne International Outstanding leadership award 2016, in Ireland for his uncommon discharge of legislative functions.
Consequently, Enugu people were not thrown off balance either when the Senate Committee on Science and Technology payed a courtesy visit to the Governor early August the previous year, commending him for his qualitative leadership and rapid infrastructural development in the state. Their spokesperson, Dr.(Mrs) Uche Ekwunife remarked” So, on behalf of the Senate President and the National Assembly, I want to commend you and inform you that we all are Celebrating you in Abuja. You have shown us that a product of the National Assembly can be one of the best Governors we have in Nigeria today and actually in Africa.”
She like the Nuncio was in the right too. But the necessary logics here remains that he not only makes a good Governor but also a better, even best President. Yes, only the territory changed not the occupier. And one compelling beautiful tools of his exemplary governance is his ability to scout and employ into services most qualified hands and finest brains with each striving to deliver on their respective portfolios. You may wish to get the veracity of this assertion via any of his serving commissioners.
Ugwuanyi’s managerial wit particularly in security matters is matchless and nonpareil. While some States of the Federation are presently racked by bandits, terrorists and other unnamed arms-toting groups; Enugu State suffers less, credit to the Governor’s tactical deflation of chances and socketing of loopholes for criminal proclivities. Nigeria will leverage much on his mass of accumulated knowledge and experiences both in academics, legislative and executive’s processes in rebuilding its public and private sectors for the creation of jobs to our squadron of unemployed Youths roaming the streets.
Nigeria needs a man with Leonardo da Vinci virtues, and here comes Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi a man of four souls. The man with a listening ear; a man who slid into the pains of his people; that man whose wide arms are always flung open, unretracted and same time wields the requisite courage to act when need arises. He is the answer and panacea to the Nigerian troubles. The good people of Nigeria should tardy no further in airlifting him from Enugu State’s Lion _Building to Abuja Aso_ Rock come 2023.
BIBIAN ANEKWE NEWS ADDED”HIS EXCELLENCY GOV IFEANYI UGWUANYI REMAIN THE ANSWER TO NIGERIAN PROBLEMS
IKEMSINACHI NWA-ONAH
Writes from Benue State, the City of Makurdi, Nigeria.
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