Perhaps a reflection of a man’s character and attitude conforms to his nature. It would be trite to ascribe meanings to what we see or feel. In same vein, Igbo tradition has favored given heroic names to persons who have distinguished themselves in certain aspects. It is in the realization of this cosmopolitan tradition that the name Gburu-Gburu beams to the wider audience because he is truly an all rounder. It is difficult to pigeon hole his Excellency, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in one particular realm and not got confused. This is why he had garnered so much sobriquet in less than six years of his administration because of what he stands for. Such sobriquets as Mr. Project, Mr. Development, Mr. Fulfilment to mention but these are not common place names. People who ascribe these to Ugwuanyi can genuinely identify with what Ugwuanyi is doing in Enugu State. Of course, Mr. Empathy is another name meant to situate Ugwuanyi as a caring and a compassionate leader who have truly distinguished himself in the act of attending to citizens needs at every turn. At any rate, such opportunities which has presented him as a humanist had already abounded uncountable times before our very eyes. In terms of feeling the pains if his people and those considered away off, there is no other way to describe Gov ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State except as Mr. Empathy. What touches his subjects in particular and humanity in general touches him. He feels the discomfort, hunger, cries, pains and sobs of his people so much. He has never wasted time to attend to any emergency especially when it relates to human lives.
On Thursday 22/7/2021, Mr Empathy was at the homes of some police officers attacked by unknown gun men at Obeagu-Amechi checkpoint. The slain officers are said to be residents of Ugbo Odogwu, a suburb of Trans Ekulu and Edward Nnaji Street, Abakpa-Nike both in Enugu East LGA. Mr Empathy was so touched that tears was literally rolling down from his eyes. He was deeply touched that such patriotic officers who chose to serve their father land even in harsh condition was not appreciated but rather wasted by heartless people. To ease their pains, Mr Empathy offered their wives automatic employment in the state’s Civil service in addition to the payments of three months salaries upfront of their late husbands or option of scholarships for their children up to secondary education. This is jaw popping offers to ameliorate the grieving families.
It is interesting to note that one of the late policemen is from Benue State ( Inspector Timothy Tion). If Gov Ugwuanyi have kept quiet over his sudden death, would anything have happened? Nothing indeed. At the house of late Inspector Emeka Nnaji from Owo in Nkanu East LGA, Mr Empathy felt their pain personally.
Gov Ugwuanyi charged the Nigerian Police to work round the clock and fish out those behind this dastardly act. The Enugu State Police PRO ASP Daniel Ndukwe disclosed that police has swung into action already. He said preliminary investigation has commenced and that they are on top of thier game. He promised speedy investigation and timely dispensation of justice
The wives of the slain gallant officers, Mrs Nwadi Nnaji and Janeth Tion were full of appreciation to Gov Ugwuanyi. They were surprised that they could be so remembered by the governor even when there husbands were not serving in the government house.
Beside the case of these two slain officers, Gov Ugwuanyi have been sympathetic to mourners. In all the places that there been cases of killing either because of Communal dispute or by unknown gun men or armed bandits in Enugu State, Mr Empathy visited them all in person. Be it at Oruku, Owo, Ujodo, Umuode, Nike Uno, Akpugo, Uzo Uwani, Amagunze, etc, Mr Empathy was there life. What a soft hearted man is Gov Ugwuanyi! What else can we say than that truly, Enugu State is in the hands of God.
Bibian Anekwe News added …The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.
Written by
Hon. Leonard Ugwu
A Political Analyst
Media Team Member: Enugu Di n’Akachukwu Movement
