Transformational leadership is a calling, much more than a title. A transformational leader does not care about how he is called. He only cares about what he has been called to do. Your Excellency, Rt Hon. Dr Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, a true man of God in politics, I join my voice with those of numerous fans, family and friends to celebrate you as you mark your seventh year in office. Even in the face of all sorts of name calling by detractors of your good governance initiative, you never cared about what they called you, what matters to you has always been the task God called you to undertake in Enugu.
At my reading on a certain night, called to my mind to enumerate legacies of your administration, having been a habitual promoter of your administration under the umbrella of Enugu Di N’ Aka Chukwu Media team. The ensight popped in like “after all is said and done, how will History remember Gburus?”. What are those legacies that will keep Ndi Enugu nostalgic about your led administration? Then, the numerous of your projects stood monumentally in eyes of my mind, I picked my pen, and my note book, and started jotting what could be described as sporadic influx of thoughts down. Few of what came to mind were the following:
1. The equipment of Enugu state hospitals with the Best infrastructure Edifice to reposition Health Sector in Enugu state.
2). Youth empowerment programs which have seen many youths off the streets such as appointment of youths into various sensitive positions of his government thereby grooming them as future leaders.
3). The completed revitalization of the magnificent Colliery Hospital Enugu,
4). The completion of the Enugu state Diagnostic and Testing Center,
5). The on-going of the construction and development of the Specialist Hospital at Igboano Orba- Nsukka .
6). The Built and commissioned First Ever Enugu state Customary Court of Appeal Headquarters Complex at the Independence Layout Enugu.
7). The done and dusted Construction of Customary court At Nsukka LGA
8). Construction/ Rehabilitation of Roads in 17 Local Government of Enugu state to link rural dwellers to the city.
9). Construction and commission of Obechara Junction-Bishop Shanahan (Enugu Road).
10). Your led Administration’s Rural development drive in Enugu State to link communities.
11). Construction/ Asphalting of the Nsukka Adani Road.
12). The completed Nguru-Akpotoro Obimo Road construction.
13). The completed Construction at Edem Ring Road and many more.
14). Since the inception of Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration, he has paid salaries of Enugu workers on or before 25th of every month.
15). Payment of 13th month as motivation to workers, even without receipt of Federal allocation and due promotion without delay.
16). Construction of over 550 Kilometers of roads across the state such as Agbani-Amuri road, Ogonogoeji-Ndiagu- Akpugo Rd, 49 KM Udenu ring road, Ogbaku road in Awgu LGA , the completion of Nike Lake Junction-Harmony Estate, Adoration road.
17). You activated the 10 million “One community, One project scheme” allowing every community in the state to execute one or two projects of utmost priority.
18). You made appointments across the state irrespective of party affiliations, easy. Even our Enugu based Northern brothers are appointed into your administration.
19). Under your watch, freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed. Refuse the urge to clamp down on perceived oppositions, rather, you accommodate all dissenting voices and divergent views in your government and very friendly with the press to ensure the state move forward.
20). Residents of Enugu can now sleep with their two eyes closed because of the unprecedented peaceful atmosphere enjoyed in the state. Odoziobodo, Dunukenyi, man of peace, you even protect those who think themselves enemies of your led administration.
21). You do not segregate nor discriminate against people, rather, you identify with everyone regardless of status.
22). Through Urban-Rural constructions, you are connecting agro-based rural dwellers to the urban areas for smooth movement of their produce to the city.
23). Why would I forget the award of scholarships to 680 indigent Engineering students of state polytechnic Iwolo and IMT Enugu?
24. I will not fail to mention the constructed and renovated about 590 primary and post-primary school blocks in the state and the employment of over 5,000 teachers.
24). Establishment of the Forest Guard Group, revitalized Neighborhood Watch and even created a new Ministry of Security Affairs.
25). College of Education upgrade to world Class: Colleges of education in the state are now wearing a new face due to serious improvement in the schools to world standard with modern learning facilities.
26). Disbursement of agricultural soft loans to farmers: I know when Tranche of agricultural soft loan was being disbursed to farmers in the rural areas to ensure adequate production of food in commercial quantity for public consumption. This will help relieve stress on the over dependence on the oil sector and encourage economic diversification and stability.
27). Granting of special pardon to inmates. The amiable governor, in your usual magnanimity felt for those who are suffering various degrees of incarceration in the Correctional Centres, you granted them pardon out of your prerogative of mercy. You went further to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into the society while cautioning them to refrain from acts capable of endangering their lives and freedom.
28). Alternative Dispute Resolutions. Our quintessential governor, you deployed good use of your office to settle and bring to rest some age-long controversial community crisis and land disputes among communities in Enugu State.
29). Provision of increased water supplies: The good people of Enugu State will continue to appreciate the governor for the provision of water supply which is one of the essential needs of man. A good number of communities in Enugu State now have privilege to benefit from the project through sinking of boreholes and pipe borne water.
30). State of the art library: With the understanding that Knowledge is power and readers are leaders. Our action governor did not leave any stone unturned in his attempt to make the state library a world class with digital installations to meet global standard.
31). Party wise, we still remember the peaceful conduct of Ondo gubernatorial primary election, the most peaceful, free, fair and credible primaries so far.
32. How can one possibly forget the development of estates like WTC Estate, HIELU Estate, Centenary Estate, Diamond Estate, Valley Estate, Coal City View Estate, to mention but a few which goes to create more room for social-urban advancement and settlement in the state.
33. The massive ongoing projects at the permanent site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital and College of Medicine, Igbo-Eno, being executed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration are advancing progressively with the completion of 6-unit of College of Medicine facility buildings comprising 12, 10 and 8 classroom blocks, 2-unit of 102-room hostel blocks, and construction of access and internal roads. The water supply and reticulation project and external electrical infrastructure are at various stages of completion.
Your Excellency, it is impossible to outline all your feasible and giant projects. Only peace project is enough, just that when peace abound, humans usually forget how expensive and costly insecurity can be.
34. Your administration re-established the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) making sure it keeps it to its toes to meet the safety needs of Ndi Enugu. Which explained the not too long timely controlled gas-leak at Caritas University, Emene, Enugu that was caused by borehole drilling activities.
35. Your love for human capital development equals to none. Was it not few weeks ago that your led administration secured foreign mentorship programs for 28 Enugu students. I don’t want to mention the increased waste evacuation contract budget which has automatically practically increased cleanliness in Enugu.
Thank you, Ezeudo. As your administration is gradually coming to a glorious end, Ndi Enugu should pray that God gift us another governor who will value peace and security above all means of conflict management and resolution. Once more, congratulations on your 7th year in office anniversary, The White Lion.
Bibian Anekwe News added: “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader”.
Written by
*Eze, Izuchukwu (Philips) Ochenwari*
Member, Enugu Di N’ Aka Chukwu Media Team
