The popular saying that a prophet is not honoured in his home manifested in faraway Turkey yesterday, 26th September, 2021 when Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State received multiple awards from Turkish Nigerian Community. The award ceremony which was an epoch making event captured the political dexterity of Governor Ugwuanyi as the most widely accepted state chief executive in Nigeria currently. The Most Peaceful Governor of the Year 2021 Award given to him by Nigerian Community in Turkey attracted the attention of Turkish political leadership and that was a practical testimony of the global perception of his achievements in the area of peace and security.
Surprisingly, Nigerians in Turkey out of genuine excitement devoid of any inducement poured out in their numbers to celebrate a man whose style of leadership has ushered in unprecedented peace and stability in Enugu State. His Peaceful disposition knows no bounds and has stood him out as one of the most loved Nigerian politicians living today.This award and many other recognitions accorded him far and near are reflective of his purposeful leadership qualities which have largely impacted on the society.
Unarguably, Enugu State under the watch of Governor Ugwuanyi has experienced the most politically stable moment. His regime is the first in the history of Enugu State to bring Enugu people under one political umbrella irrespective of party affiliations. The state has witnessed enduring peace and tranquility away from the previous in-house and external political bickerings that had heralded past administrations. For the first time in Enugu State, no war of attrition between the present and the past leaders of the state. Ugwuanyi has been able to bring everybody together and establish a political society where citizens see themselves as members of one large family.This feat was not by accident, but through political maturity and exhibition of high level tolerance by a man whose knack for peace is unparalleled.
In a broader perspective, Ugwuanyi’s recognition as a peace ambassador and highly skilful leader has in several occasions put the burden of tackling seeming intractable problems on him by many political groups. A good example is his many successful assignments to reposition his political party, the PDP, at different occasions when it had issues that seemed unsolvable. The party, having known the capacity of Governor Ugwuanyi when it comes to diplomatic expression usually avails itself of his services in such difficult situations and he had expectedly delivered.
Following the above reality, I would briefly look at his role in Ondo State Governorship primaries some time in 2020 when the party was in a sort of dilemma before Ugwuanyi was invited to reposition the party with transparent Gubernatorial primary elections as a good reference point. His heroic role in stabilizing the PDP in South East as its leader at a time the party was experiencing mass exodus is legendary. It equally suffices to conclude that his outstanding performance in previous assignments where he seamlessly resolved knotty issues necessitated the current task given to him to head PDP’s zoning committee in the run up to its national convention. He has been invited as usual to come and salvage yet another difficult situation that needs his diplomatic ingenuity to handle.
Aware of all these sterling leadership qualities and his unwavering peaceful disposition, the Nigerian Community in Turkey in conjunction with the Turkish political leadership showered multiple awards on him yesterday, 26th September, 2021.They celebrated him with fanfare in faraway Turkey where Nigerians resident in that country gathered in large numbers to show love and appreciation to him.Those sent to represent him in that epoch making event could not hold their tears of joy as Nigerians and Kurds poured undiluted encomiums on him.They struggled to behold and identify with the representatives of this great African legend who has used his gentle mien to reposition his state and region towards political recovery.
In conclusion, Ugwuanyi’s soaring global image has shown that good work cannot be hidden no matter how modest one may be. His humble and peaceful disposition which he has deployed in managing the affairs of Enugu State judiciously will continue to speak for him.Though many at home may, out of parochial political consideration refuse to acknowledge his rare gift of political dexterity and capacity, Nigerians in general and international community unarguably value his services to humanity especially in the area of political development.This harvest of awards and show of love in faraway Turkey yesterday by Nigerians and Kurds is undoubtedly a perfect reflection of that general acceptability. It will not be out of place to therefore conclude that Ndi Enugu are lucky to have a leader like him at a time peace is fast becoming an essential commodity in Nigeria and South East in particular.
Enugu is in the safe hands of God
Bibian Anekwe News added – The task of the leader is to get their people from where they are to where they have not been.” .
Written by
By Jeff Ejiofor
