The numerous Development Programs of Governor Ugwuanyi, the peoples Governor of Enugu State, should not be allowed to pass unacknowledged. Children have been rightly described as the most precious gift from God, as such any leader who shows such deep love and interest in the safety, welfare and development of the youths, as Governor Ugwuanyi does, should be recognised and celebrated. The apex body of Igbo ethnic nationality, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, through the National Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, had earlier this year poured encomiums on Governor Ugwuanyi for “introducing youths in his administration thereby making Enugu state a breeding ground for the grooming of prospective Igbo leaders in the South East.” Governor Ugwuanyi hatched the plans for solid landmark achievements in human resource development, mobilization and empowerment by creating Enugu State Technology Hub & Youths Innovation Centre which targets different levels and categories of Youths Empowerment, Skills Acquisitions/Training, Tech & Business Innovations, Agric Business & ICT Solutions.
I once stated in one of my previous write-ups that Governor Ugwuanyi is not just a politician, but also an epitome of statesmanship. Politicians aim at scoring some cheap political popularity, hence are known for the unfulfilled promises they make for the purpose of winning elections, reason they are easily forgotten and consigned to the dustbin of history.
Statesmen, on the other hand, the likes of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, work assiduously to leave lasting legacies and indelible footprints on the sands of history; to be remembered by posterity. It is noted that Statesmen focus on establishing landmarks for the present and the future generations yet unborn. Governor Ugwuanyi’s special emphasis on developing the youths should, therefore, be seen as the biggest investment for the people of Enugu State.
Numerous youths and women leaders have so far received different categories of Support Grants through Governor Ugwuanyi’s Development Initiative Programs at the Enugu SME Centre since the inception of his administration, ranging from Cash grants, Job offers, Free Working Equipment such as Grinding Machines and Zero Interest Human Capital Development Loans. Of particular significance, however, is the Udi Youths Council Programs organized for all Secondary schools in Udi Local Government Area. The program was grouped as follows: Ojebe Ogene, Udi Central, Ugwunye and Udi South Development Centres, just to ensure that no secondary school in the Area was left behind. That Leadership cum Academic Development Program which was put in place by Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration had incorporated Debate, Essay writing and Quiz Competitions. There were provisions for different Awards to the winners of each of the above categories. I ask: “Could there be any better way to prepare our children for greater tomorrow than help them develop their intellect and at same time remove idleness that might lead to their involvement in crimes and social vices?”
According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on SME Development and DG on Enugu SME Centre, Hon Arinze Chilo- Offia, up to 4 different batches of Enugu State youths had undergone Auto-Revamp Innovation Training Program (AITP). Governor Ugwuanyi’s government has taken the bull by the horn by helping the unemployed and underemployed youths become business owners, having fronted over 15 successful Skills Acquisitions Programs in partnership with some private sectors, the beneficiaries of which have gone on to build impressive Startups. Also in partnership with the FG, the State government had launched the Survival Funds Program, covering CAC Formalization Grant, Artisans Support Grant and Payroll Support Grant for protection within the Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. In addition to above, there are also IT Training Programs in which the State Government’s SME has partnered with the private sectors to ensure pool of skilled manpower resources in technical, professional and vocational capacities of the youths; and partnered with the UTIVA for trainings on Programs,
Products and Designs.
On women development, Governor Ugwuanyi desires to tap from the enormous potentials and wealth of experience of the womenfolks as equal partakers in his administration.
He understands very well that women are astute home managers and could easily transfer these qualities into efficient, judicious, effective and prudent control of any positions entrusted under their care. He recognises the wisdom in women empowerment to justify the saying that ”if you train a man you have trained an individual, but if you train a woman you have trained a nation”. It had also been stated that what a man can do a woman can do it and even better; hence about 40% of Ugwuanyi’s sensitive positions across various government establishments in the State are firmly in the hands of the women.
Recently, Ugwuanyi had delegated Nine (9) eminent women from Enugu State to brainstorm and exchange ideas with their counterparts from other states, at a Conference on Leadership development which was held in Kigali the capital of Rwanda. No one should, therefore, be left in doubt about what led to the giant strides recorded by Ugwuanyi’s government. The achievements were made possible because Ugwuanyi is an aggressive investor in the youths and women capacity development and has actively involved same in his governance. Today we are reaping the huge benefits of the Ugwuanyi’s wisdom.
Like husband like wife, the First of Enugu state, Her Excellency Mrs Monica Ugochi Ugwuanyi loves children so much that she invested fortunes in humanitarian services, through her Foundation – Ugochi Touch of Life Foundation (UTOLF). Recently she donated over 51,000 doses of Anti helminthic drugs for the deworming of school children across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State. Her action was in tandem with the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the need for such preventive annual/ biannual public health intervention for children under 12 – 23 months of age and also for the school children aged 5 – 12 years.
There is no doubt that Governor Ugwuanyi has excelled far above all his contemporaries
on the development of the youths and the women, education, security of lives and property, peace and national unity, justice, equity and fairness. With his steady growing profile and clout, I do not require the services of any soothsayer or prophet to tell me that Governor Ugwuanyi is inching towards Nigeria’s top seat, having also exhibited enough pedigree and capacity to shoulder some herculean responsibilities assigned to him at the Party level. Again having demonstrated the spirit of a true nationalism and a bridge builder across the borders, the detribalised Ugwuanyi deserves a shot at the top center.
No amount of thanks should be considered enough to appreciate the Rt Hon Ifeanyichukwu Lawrence Ugwuanyi, the Governor and Papa Ndi Enugu State Gburugburu for his relentless efforts towards changing the fortunes of our people. We also greatly appreciate the hardworking
SSA to the Governor on Mobilization and Empowerment, Hon Mrs Bibian Anekwe. Governor Ugwuanyi has left no one in doubt he has won the confidence of Ndigbo and other Nigerians by his continued rising profile and by exhibiting requisite leadership capacities and competencies, particularly now that the latter are yearning for the coveted seat of the Number 1 citizen
of this country.
Bibian Anekwe News added; “Teaching the next generation of leaders is a big part of leadership.”
OBODO COLLINS OKOLO
Deputy Corps Commander, Retired
A Sociopolitical Analyst
Media Team member of ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
