…As its Management team led by the Chief Operating Officer, Obi Mbanuzuo, visits Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu
*Says the decision to commence operations in the state was because, “Enugu has shown to be one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria where the economy is growing and Dana Air wants to contribute to the growth of the economy”.
Dana Air now joins Air Peace and Ibom Air in daily flight operations in Enugu.
Also in the delegation were Mr. Edwin Ossai (Head of Security), Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa (Head of Media & Communications) and Mrs. Chioma Anioke (Enugu Station Manager).
…Lays foundation for Amenity Hospital complex at General Hospital Ogrute, Igbo-Eze North LGA
*No significant project has taken place in the health facility since 1956 until governor’s intervention – CMD
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Monday, laid the foundation for the construction of Amenity Hospital complex, located at the General Hospital Ogrute, Enugu Ezike, in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, declaring that there is no going back in his administration’s resolve to continue vigorous pursuit of its rural development agenda in the state.
Gov. Ugwuanyi who disclosed that a lot of development projects are being carried out in the rural communities by his administration, especially in the areas of health, infrastructure, education, among others, to uplift the living standard of rural dwellers, stressed that “our people in the rural areas have suffered enough”.
The governor therefore maintained that “rural development continues”, adding that his administration will leave no stone unturned to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the state, who are largely residing in the rural areas.
He therefore revealed that similar healthcare projects including the Type-3 Primary Healthcare Centres, are in so many communities and villages of the state
In his brief presentation, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, explained that the Amenity Hospital complex, a storey building comprising a ground floor and upper floor with 40 wards and specialized wards for patients with complications, is the first of its kind in Enugu State.
It would be recalled that Gov. Ugwuanyi a few months ago, paid an unscheduled visit to the General Hospital Ogrute, to assess the state of the health facility which was founded in 1956.
The governor, after inspecting the dilapidated facilities in the hospital, expressed dissatisfaction with what he saw on ground and directed the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to commence the evaluation of the facility with a view to rehabilitating it to serve the public better. He also directed the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to restore power to the hospital.
Consequently, the hospital’s access/internal road and the perimeter fence have been constructed while the construction of a Cottage Hospital with Isolation facilities has reached an advanced stage.
Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of the Amenity Hospital complex, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Cyril Nnadi, the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA, Hon. Engr. Ejike Itodo, the lawmakers, the traditional rulers, and other speakers, thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration’s massive intervention in the General Hospital as well as other projects in the rural communities of the council area and beyond.
Presenting a brief history of the General Hospital Ogrute, the CMD, Dr. Nnadi, pointed out that ever since the hospital was founded in 1956, “there has not been any significant project that has been done here, until about three months ago, when His Excellency came here and saw the state of the hospital”.
According to him, “it was in such a bad shape that one can’t even drive into this hospital. But after the governor’s visit; in fact within a twinkle of an eye, we can see everything being transformed; the road, the fence, the borehole, and there is a Cottage Hospital with Isolation facilities being constructed here at the moment, which is almost completed. In fact it is like a dream come true.
“The state government is about to construct a special diagnostic laboratory for this General Hospital. So, our people are very happy and grateful to our governor and we say thank you”.
Also present at the event were the Deputy Chief Whip of Enugu State House of Assembly and member representing Igbo-Eze North 1 Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ethel Ugwuanyi, the member representing Igbo-Eze North 11 Constituency, Hon. Innocent Ugwu; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Malachy Okwueze; the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, his Rural Development counterpart, Hon. Prince Emeka Mamah, the Special Adviser to the Governor on PDI, Mrs. MaryRose Obiageli Abba, and other Special Advisers to Governor, Rt. Hon. Matthew Ugwueze and Hon. Okechukwu Kentus Eze, among others.
The Enugu State Infectious Disease Hospital, formerly known as Colliery Hospital Enugu, getting set to commence operations for isolation and treatment of patients with infectious diseases, courtesy of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration’s massive rehabilitation and construction of new structures at the health facility.
#YellowFever Update: After confirmation of Yellow Fever outbreak in Ette and Umuopu Communities in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, and in compliance with the directives of His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Enugu State Government has in line with the laid down guidelines to combat such an epidemic, commenced the following:
1. Activation of the Enugu State Ministry of Health Emergency Operations Centre for Yellow Fever
2. Prepositioned General Hospital Ogrute Enugu-Ezike, and commenced treatment, with Ambulance Service for emergency.
3. Begun Active Case Surveillance to obtain necessary information on the epidemic for further decision making
4. Constitution of the Enugu State Multi-Sectorial Technical Working Group for the Yellow Fever Epidemic
5. Commenced immediate Mass Vaccination for Yellow Fever in the affected Communities
6. Immediate Fumigation against the Mosquito Vector with the appropriate Chemicals in the affected Communities
7. Risk Communication in the affected Communities
8. Formal notification of the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the National Arbovirus and Vectors Research Centre for a sustained response since Yellow Fever has also been reported in other states in Nigeria.
We thank the Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, President Generals of town Unions, other stakeholders and the good people of Enugu State who have in so many ways contributed to this expedited response to the epidemic in Enugu State.
Public Health Advisory: If you have been recently vaccinated against Yellow Fever, you do not need to be vaccinated again. Yellow Fever is transmitted through mosquito bites, thus remove its breeding sites around you.
If you are not feeling well, please visit a nearby hospital
Dr Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi Hon. Commissioner of Health
Immortalises victims, donates 18-seater bus at Requiem Mass
…Visits accident scene
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Monday, joined the Catholic faithful and families of the deceased pupils of Presentation Nursery and Primary School, Awgu, and other victims who lost their lives in a recent fatal road accident in Awgu Local Government Area of the state, to celebrate a Requiem Mass for them at the school premises, in Awgu town.
Gov. Ugwuanyi who described the eight pupils as "angles" bade farewell to them, their late teacher, Emmanuella Chukwugbo and the school bus driver, Chukwu Basil, as well as other victims.
The governor said that his administration was saddened, devastated and overwhelmed with grief by "the eventual realisation that we had lost eight young innocent school children, one teacher and the school bus driver to this tragedy".
Laden with grief, the governor lamented: "Our children; our angels; had gone too soon and too suddenly; for no fault of their own. “They were too innocent to have offended anyone; too young to have known sin; they only attended the day’s school; to acquire knowledge and high moral values; Yes, they were on their way home; to unite, as usual, with their beloved parents and siblings; a journey home that was never completed; what a tragedy!
According to him, “As Christians, we submit to the will of the most High God, who alone, knows why it happened. We accept our faith and find consolation in the conviction that our deceased angels are early arrivals in heaven; already seated in the midst of the heavenly host, praising God and glorifying his name”.
Disclosing that his administration, on the heels of the tragedy, had visited the recuperating survivors in the hospitals, Gov. Ugwuanyi extended “our condolences to the families of the deceased and our solidarity to the Catholic Diocese of Awgu” and prayed for divine healing and quick recovery of the injured as well as the fortitude for the families of the departed souls to bear the painful losses.
While sympathising with the management of the school, Gov. Ugwuanyi donated a brand new 18-seater bus to the school and promised to erect a monument at the scene of the accident to immortalise the school children.
The governor thanked all those who toiled to save the accident victims and reduce casualty such as “the Bishop of Awgu Catholic Diocese, the Federal Road Safety Corps, Enugu State Command, Ministries of Transport and Health, Enugu State, Awgu Local Government Council Chairman and the attending health care workers in the hospitals, volunteers, men and women of good will” and thereafter shared a touching true-life story of Horatio Spafford (It is well with my soul) “to console us in this difficult period”.
Earlier in his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Awgu Diocese, Most Rev. John Okoye consoled the families of the victims and urged them to take solace in the scriptures and “in our Lord Jesus Christ”.
He therefore appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration’s empathy, support and solidarity since the tragedy, adding that “the governor did not only call to console us that fateful day; he sent his deputy to us the next day and as soon as he concluded his meeting with other South East leaders, on Friday, the governor physically made his way to the Teaching Hospital to empathise with the survivors and paid their medical bills.
“Your gestures touched us very deeply and we can’t forget them”, the bishop said. The clergy and dignitaries at the event include the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most. Rev. John Obodo, the Anglican Bishop of Awgu/Aninri, Rt. Rev. Benson Chukwunweike, the Chief Whip of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs. Jane Eneh.
Others include the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Sir. Obi Karma, their Culture and Tourism counterpart, Hon. Ugonna Ibe, the Chairman of Awgu LGA, Hon. Pedro Nwankwo, the Enugu State President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Ogbonna, etc.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, today, unveiled the first phase of the newly upgraded Nike Lake Resort Enugu, to continue playing its leading role as one of the finest and most outstanding hotels in the entire South East geo-political zone.
Speaking at the event, the Board of Directors and Management of the hotel, led by Dame (Barr.) Ugochi Madueke, deeply appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for his audacity, vision and political will in upgrading the hitherto dilapidated hotel, in consonance with modern trends.
The Board Chairman, who disclosed that the hotel has been rebranded and upgraded for full operation, while further work is still in progress, stated that through Gov. Ugwuanyi administration’s interventions (phase one) a lot have been achieved in restoring the centre for tourist attraction and relaxation to its past glory.
Some of the interventions, according to her, include:
*Overhaul of the furniture and sanitary wares in 92 rooms.
*Replacement of hitherto existing rugs in the rooms with floor tiles
* Installation of CCTV Cameras
*Replacement of outdated kitchen equipment with modern ones
*Construction of a modern entrance gate for efficient service delivery and effective security operation.
*Remodeling of the entrance view with brick stones and mounting of designed chain-link fence.
*Water reticulation system for adequate water supply.
*Renovation of the ‘Omenala’ Bar, adjacent to the lake view, with cultural crafts, et cetera, to depict the ambience the relaxation centre adores.
*Improved welfare package for staff of the hotel, among others.
In his remark, Gov. Ugwuanyi who was impressed with the progress of work commended the Board, Management and Staff of the hotel for living up to expectations and charged them to “take this hotel to the next level”.
Dignitaries at the event include the former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke (Rtd); the Deputy Speaker of House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu; the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Festus Uzor; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ugonna Ibe; his Youths and Sports counterpart, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe; Council Chairmen of Enugu East, Uzo-Uwani, Oji River, Awgu, Udi, Aninri LGAs led by the State ALGON Chairman, Hon. Solomon Onah of Udenu LGA.
Others include Member representing Igbo-Etiti East Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ezenta Ezeani; his Oji-River counterpart, Hon. Jeff Mbah; HRH, Igwe Julius Nnaji; Chief Anayo Onwuegbu, General Manager of Coal City Transport Services, Hon. Kenneth Eziedo, etc.
EndSARS protests: Enugu panel engages religious leaders on call for memoranda
…Asks victims to submit complaints on or before November 19
The Administrative Panel of Inquiry constituted by the Enugu State government to look into the recent loss of lives and other grievous bodily injuries to private citizens and security personnel, resulting from the hijack by miscreants of the otherwise peaceful #ENDSARS protests, and recommend compensation that may be paid to them, has reminded the general public that the submission of letters of complaint and memoranda by victims is still ongoing and closes on November 19, 2020.
The panel gave the reminder when its members led by their Chairman, Justice Fredrick Obieze (Rtd.), paid advocacy visits to leaders of various religious groups in the state, on the genuine intention of the state government to ensure that victims are compensated appropriately as well as the need to engage them for adequate and timely information dissemination through all their places of worship to enable people access the panel for submissions.
According to the panel, “the letters and memoranda which should be in two (2) copies and/or a soft copy should be submitted on or before November 19, 2020 at the Conference Room, Office of the Head of Service, State Secretariat Enugu. Email: endsarspanel@gmail.com”.
It requested interested members of the public to call the following numbers: 0806 846 7334, 08126270512, for further inquires.
The religious leaders visited include the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. C.V.C Onaga, Archbishop Emmanuel O. Chukwuma of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Christopher Edeh of the Methodist Church Nigeria and the Sarki Hausa in Enugu, among others.
Members of the panel, who are also mandated to look into the related destruction of properties of private citizens and security infrastructure in Enugu State, were Professor Frank Ezugwu (Provost, ESUTH College of Medicine) - Member; Professor Agozie Ogbodo (Dean, Faculty of Law, Godfrey Okoye University) - Member; H.R.H. Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu(Traditional Ruler of Ibagwa Nike) - Member; Professor Ngozi Ejionueme (Head, Department of Marketing, ESUT) - Member.
Others are Rev. Emmanuel Edeh (CAN Chairman in Enugu State) –Member; Chief Frank Maluze (Chartered Estate Surveyor and Valuer) – Member; Comrade Modester Onwuha (Vice-President, SUG, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus) - Member; Barrister Ben. Chinedu Oloko (Private Legal Practitioner representing the Youths) – Member and Mr. Charles Abugu (Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service) – Secretary.
The Enugu State Government has confirmed that Yellow Fever is the cause of deaths from a reported strange illness in Ette Uno and Umuopu communities of Enugu Ezike town in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state.
A statement by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, stated that the disease was confirmed "through verifiable diagnostic tests".
Dr. Obi explained that "Yellow Fever is not a new disease but one of public health importance internationally and in Nigeria" adding that "It is one of the diseases controlled for in the Nigerian set of routine and mass immunizable diseases."
According to him "a suspected case is anyone with a sudden onset of fever who develops jaundice (yellowness of the eyes) within 14 days it is verifiable by diagnostic tests".
The Health Commissioner therefore disclosed that "the Enugu State Ministry of Health has called for an immediate Emergency Operations Centre Meeting this morning at 10am, with representatives from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other implementing partners in the state, to articulate specific next steps to effectively respond to and control this disease in Igboeze North LGA, and prevent its spread in Enugu State".
His words: "We are collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health and with nearby states to prevent its spread within Nigeria. The General Hospital, Enugu Ezike, and other hospitals in the state are prepared to provide the supportive treatment needed for Yellow Fever.
"It is transmitted by the aedes or haemogogus specie of mosquitoe, causes symptoms within 3 - 6 days of infection, which range from a mild febrile illness in some individuals to a more toxic illness that can, unfortunately, lead to death in others. Only 15 percent of infected persons enter this toxic phase.
"This is a time to continue in earnest the hygienic practices that we have become used to due to the COVID -19 pandemic, while now improving our environmental hygiene practices; keep our surroundings clean and free of overgrown bushes, ensuring that we do not allow containers and gutters around us to collect water for long periods which allows mosquitoes to breed. We should protect our homes by screening doors and windows with nets, and ourselves by sleeping under mosquito nets and wearing clothes that limit mosquito bites.
"Most of all, if you recognize the above symptoms in yourself or a loved one, please visit the nearest hospital".
BUILDINGS: *Renovated the House of Assembly Complex *Rehabilitated and re-asphalted the popular Michael Okpara Square, Enugu *Completed the new Lion Building, Government House, Enugu, with additional works such as landscaping and installation of floodlights and security lights *Renovated the Deputy Governor’s office, Abuja Building, parking lots, and fuel Dump, within the premises of the Government House, Enugu, among others *Ongoing completion work on the International Conference Centre, Enugu *Construction of the first phase of the Enugu State Secretariat annex in Nsukka satellite town *Construction of the Nsukka Township Stadium *Fencing and massive works of arts at the Unity Park, formerly known as Forest Reserve, Enugu, to serve as a tourist attraction and a place for relaxation and recreation *Construction of 10 units of Executive Guest House at the old Governor’s Lodge, G.R.A, Enugu, for routine guests of the state government *Construction of first Christian Chapel of Worship at the Government House, Enugu *Remodeling of the Old Government Lodge and construction of Annex, GRA, Enugu *Construction of 24 units of Guest Flats at Old Government Lodge, GRA, Enugu
RURAL DEVELOPMENT: *Uncommon rural development policy, concentrating more infrastructure in the rural and long-neglected communities, such as simultaneously executed 35 grassroots development projects across the 17 LGAs and the N10 million “one community, one project” scheme in each of the 471 autonomous communities in the state
HEALTH SECTOR: *Completed the state-of-the-art Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre, Enugu *Construction and renovation of district hospitals and health centres in the state, especially in the rural areas under the primary healthcare programme *Upgraded Udi District Hospital and Poly Clinic, Asata to General Hospitals, after their rehabilitation *Constructed a Tertiary Hospital in Igbo-Eno, Enugu North Senatorial District, to serve as one of the facilities for the ESUT College of Medicine that has been relocated to Nsukka.
*Massive construction/reconstruction of the Enugu State Infectious Disease Hospital, Enugu, formerly known as Colliery Hospital Enugu, for isolation and treatment of patients with infectious diseases.
*Launch of the Universal Health Coverage *Intervened and integrated faith-based rural health facilities into the Free Maternal and Child Health Programme *Massive construction of 7 units of Type 3 Primary Health Care Centre in 7 LGAs, and upgrade and rehabilitation of the General Hospital Ogrute, Enugu Ezike, and Nsukka District Hospital, among others.
* Ongoing massive construction of a Specialist Hospital for the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno, in Enugu North Senatorial District.
*Site clearing for the construction of 2 nos. 12-classroom faculty buildings, 2 nos. 10-classroom faculty buildings and 2 nos. 8-classroom faculty buildings, for the ESUT College of Medicine, in Igbo-Eno, adjacent to the Specialist Hospital, as well as the ongoing construction of industrial water borehole projects.
*Construction of Cottage Hospital with isolation wing in Awgu, Oji River, Ogrute (Enugu Ezike) General Hospitals, and also in Orba, Udenu LGA
RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC: *Released N350 million to the state’s COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Rapid Response Team *Establishment of Isolation and Treatment Centres for COVID-19 in Nsukka and the ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu *Equipped the ultra-modern Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre and designated it as an isolation and treatment centre *Massive reconstruction and construction of new structures at the Colliery Hospital, Enugu, now an Infectious Disease Isolation and Treatment Centre *Approved welfare packages for all health workers in the state as incentive to battle COVID-19 *Purchased two additional ambulances and one incident vehicle *Enforcement of the Presidential directives on nationwide curfew and inter-state movement restriction order. *Rehabilitation of facilities and provision of essential supplies in 34 health facilities across the 17 LGAs, to scale up delivery of linked services and preparedness against community spread of COVID-19 pandemic by the Enugu State Save One Million Lives (SOML) Project.
*Life assurance policy for frontline workers
*Distribution of palliatives to persons, vulnerable groups, poorest of the poor and religious groups.
*Granted tax relief and incentives to taxpayers in the state to cushion the adverse economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents, especially ordinary masses.
WORKERS’ WELFARE: *Enhancement of civil servants’ welfare *Among the first to implement the new Minimum Wage in Nigeria *Regular payment of workers’ salaries on the 23rd of every month and retirees’ pensions before the end of the month *Payment of the 13th month salary to workers as Christmas bonus *Payment of 54 percent equity contribution for 100 lucky civil servants who won the 100 units one bedroom apartments at Elim Estate, Enugu through open lottery.
SECURITY: *Procured and donated 100 units of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) patrol vans with communication gadgets to the security agencies to aid their operations *Employed 1,700 Forest Guards, first in the South East geo-political zone *Repositioned the Vigilante/Neighbourhood Watch groups and purchased 260 security vehicles for their Community Policing operations. *Procured and distributed 260 motorcycles and 300 bicycles to the 260 electoral wards in the state, to complement and facilitate the operations of the Forest Guards *Construction of the 76 Police Mobile Force Squadron Facility at Ekwegbe, Igbo-Etiti LGA
FIRE SERVICE: *Procured five (5) IVM fire-fighting trucks for the five ultra modern fire service stations across the three senatorial districts of the state, newly constructed by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, after 56 years *Recruited 66 firefighters to the workforce of the state fire service and provided them with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for safety, etc.
INTERVENTIONS IN THE STATE JUDICIARY: *Constructed the first Enugu State Customary Court of Appeal Headquarters complex in Enugu *Construction of 14 new court buildings and open registries in the judicial divisions and magisterial districts across the state *Construction of 34 modern Customary Courts across the state, two (2) per LGA *Massive renovation of the State Judiciary Headquarters complex, Enugu *Renovated the former DAD Building Enugu and converted same to the State Ministry of Justice Headquarters *Establishment of Multi-Door Court House in Enugu, among other interventions.
EDUCATION: *Recruited over 5000 primary and secondary school teachers *Constructed, renovated and equipped 897 classroom blocks and other school projects under Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB). *Procured and distributed 22,150 lockers and 22,150 chairs for primary school children, 1,228 tables, 1,228 arm chairs and 2,456 armless chairs for the teachers, as well as 1130 marker boards for teaching and 1,960 ceiling fans, for conducive learning environment (under ENSUBEB) *Procured and distributed 12, 480 writing desks and chairs for primary school pupils in the state and 868 tables and chairs for teachers to improve the standard of learning (ENSUBEB). *Massive construction and reconstruction of classroom blocks, offices and hostels in the secondary schools across the six education zones of the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB) *Supplied Science equipment to 135 secondary schools (under PPSMB) *Supplied and installed computers to 200 secondary schools (under PPSMB) *Converted 1,000 volunteer teachers to permanent staff and release of all outstanding arrears of promotion to date (under PPSMB) *Initiated a process for the construction and renovation of more classroom blocks *Ongoing construction of the state-of-the-art administrative building of the first degree-awarding institution in Education in the South East zone, the Enugu State University of Education in Ihe, Awgu LGA, established by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration to serve as a centre for training of teachers for primary, secondary and tertiary education. *Massive infrastructural development and upgrade of facilities in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu *Transition of IMT into a degree-awarding institution and the holding of its first convocation, after 11 years *Numerous education transformational interventions in other state-owned tertiary institutions, namely the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); the Enugu State College of Education Technical (ESCET); and the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo.
EMPOWERMENT: *Empowered 3,600 traders with N50,000 each under the Enugu State Traders Empowerment Scheme *Empowered 750 youths in skills acquisition under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme *Offered scholarship to 680 indigent engineering students of Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, Ezeagu L.G.A. and the IMT, Enugu *Awarded scholarship to 22 post-secondary school indigent students presently studying at Mewar University, India *Engaged 1000 youths to clean up the state, under Enugu Clean Team Project, with additional 1000 workers underway
* Granted Bursary allowance to 246 students of the state at the Nigeria Law School.
* Waived the payment of Personal Income Tax as well as Market Tax, for all traders in the major markets of the state, since the inception of the administration, in May 2015, with a recent resolve to sustain the pro-poor policies till the end of the tenure.
AGRICULTURE, WATER, HOUSING, INVESTMENT PROMOTION *Procured twenty (20) tractors for Mechanized Agriculture *Launched the Coal City Rice, Enugu – a highly sought-after staple in the South East and beyond *Approved the establishment of two World Bank projects, namely IFAD and APPEALS programme for women and youths agricultural empowerment and pays the state’s counterpart funds regularly. *Rehabilitated facilities at Ajali and Oji River Water Treatment Schemes which has consequentially improved the supply of water to Enugu metropolis and its environs *HELIU Residence project – a world class Residential Estate with infrastructure worth N25 billion embarked upon by the state government in partnership with Fit-Consult and China Shenyang International Economic and Technical Cooperation Limited, Shenyang, China through Public Private Partnership (PPP) to provide quality and affordable houses to address the accommodation deficit in Enugu because of high inflow of people into the state. *Site and services of Valley Estate, GRA, Enugu; WTC Estate; Victory Estate; Trinity Estate; Fidelity Estate adjacent to the popular Ebeano Tunnel with massive erosion /flood control work, Diamond Estate, Rangers Estate, among others. *The Enugu Industrial Park – FTZ (ENPOWER Free Trade Zone) at the 9thMile Corner, Enugu, to be known as Lion Business Park, modeled after the Dragon Market in Dubai.
SPORTS: *Gov. Ugwuanyi’s love and support for sports saw Rangers International Football Club of Enugu lifting both the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title after 32 years and 2018 AITEO Cup after 35 years
ECONOMIC RATINGS:
*Rated among the six (6) economically viable states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations, by Economic Confidential. *Rated as the second most advanced state in Nigeria on the Ease of Doing Business by the World Bank Group. *9th best performing state in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the year 2019. *Best state in the judicious utilization of the bailout funds (Senate Verdict) *Enugu listed alongside Lagos and Rivers as the only three states out of the 36 states of the federation that have fulfilled obligations to their workers (BudgIT). *Listed among the seven states that are solvent with impressive over 30 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund additional economic activities (Economic Confidential magazine verdict). *The fifth most competitive state in Nigeria, according to the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria *The third most debt sustainable State in Nigeria *The first state in Nigeria to publish its Audited State Final Account for consecutive three years. *First in the South East geo-political zone and ninth in the country based on IGR as against Federal Allocation. *One of the twelve states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF GOVERNOR IFEANYI UGWUANYI’S DEVELPOMENT STRIDES IN ENUGU STATE, AMID CHALLENGES
On May 29, 2020, the people-oriented and visionary administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State marked its 5th Anniversary. On August 27, 2020, the Coal City State celebrated the 29th Anniversary of its creation. The epoch making events presented a veritable opportunity to reappraise the governor’s giant strides anchored on peace and good governance, despite the avalanche of challenges befalling the state and the country.
The Economic Confidential in its 2019 Annual States Viability Index, released on July 26, 2020, listed Enugu among the six (6) economically viable states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations. Listed alongside Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kwara and Kaduna as viable states, Enugu, which, according to the index report, generated N31 billion compared to Federation Account Allocation (FAA) of N103 billion representing 29 percent, was good enough to beat all oil producing states except Rivers.
A few months ago, precisely on May 22, 2020, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) published its 2019 states' ranking in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). One of the states which recorded impressive performances, according to the report, was Enugu.
Enugu State, with no oil, was the 9th best performing state in terms of IGR. Its slightly over N31billion was also good enough to beat all oil producing states except Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom.
Prior to these remarkable ratings, Enugu State was rated by the World Bank Group as the second most advanced state in Nigeria on the Ease of Doing Business and third on the Ease of Starting Business. The state was listed by BudgIT alongside Lagos and Rivers as the only three states out of the 36 states of the federation that have fulfilled obligations to their workers. It was also listed among the seven states that are solvent with impressive over 30 percent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund additional economic activities, by Economic Confidential. Equally of note is the report of the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria, which listed Enugu as the fifth most competitive state in Nigeria, and the third most debt sustainable state in Nigeria. It is also on record that Enugu was rated as the first state in Nigeria to publish its Audited State Final Account for three consecutive years; first in the South East geo-political zone and ninth in the country based on IGR as against federal allocation.
What makes these records outstanding is that just four years earlier when Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State took over the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2015, the country was in recession, following the drastic drop in crude oil prices in the international market.
Consequently, the state with its lean resources was confronted with paucity of funds, high inherited debt profile and other huge wage bills to be serviced. The economic realities were daunting that many were of the opinion that it was not the best time to be a governor.
The country’s economic challenges adversely affected the states’ allocations from the federation account, to the extent that there were limited funds to attend to development issues and other sundry needs of the public.
Enugu’s purse grew leaner as federal allocations dwindled to an all-time low - a source of worry the past governor of the state, Mr. Sullivan Chime acknowledged during a thanksgiving Mass to commemorate the end of his administration.
This posed a serious threat to the speedy actualisation of the governor’s vision for the state as contained in his administration’s four-point agenda.
The situation was so dire that 27 states, excluding Enugu, could not pay workers’ salaries, let alone embark on capital projects. One by one, governors resorted to bailout funds unlike their predecessors who had access to the excess crude oil funds which enabled them to execute capital projects.
Despite all the challenges, Ugwuanyi remained undaunted and focused in his vision to build the Enugu State of the founding fathers’ dream, where everybody irrespective of class, religion or political association is given equal right and access to dividends of democracy, in a peaceful and secure environment.
Consequently, his administration has been championing an unprecedented rural development drive which has made it possible for the rural dwellers and the long-neglected communities to enjoy democracy dividends in a way they have never experienced before.
But five years down the line, Gov. Ugwuanyi through his sound vision, administrative ingenuity, peace and good governance initiatives, has turned the tide for the better. The results of his sheer dexterity and commitment are evident in his five-year stewardship, some of which are highlighted below:
ROADS: *Constructed/rehabilitated over 600km of roads across the state, mostly in the rural areas. *Rehabilitated and remodeled the ancient, historic and undulating 11km Milliken Hill-Ngwo-9th Mile road. *Constructed the 12km Opi-Nsukka dual carriageway up to University of Nigeria (UNN) gate *Constructed the Ebonyi River Bridge, Ikem *Constructed the 31km Udenu Ring road with two high-tech bridges *Rehabilitated the Iva Valley roads in Enugu North LGA *Constructed the 8.8km Nkalagu-Eha Amufu road in Isi-Uzo LGA, neglected for over 35 years *The construction of the 26.66km Ukpabi-Nimbo-Ugbene Ajima-Eziani road in Uzo-Uwani LGA (RAMP-2) *The construction of the 22.443km Neke-Mbu-Ogbodu Aba-Obollo Etiti inter-community road linking Isi-Uzo and Udenu LGAs (RAMP-2)
* The 16km erosion ravaged Eha-Ulo/Eha-Etiti/Eha-Ndiagu-Mbu road and 24km Premier Junction-Umabor-Mbu road (RAMP-2), covering 40km, being constructed across thick forests and difficult terrains.
*The ongoing 8.580km road project linking Ihe with Ogbaku Town in Awgu Local Government Area (RAMP-2) *Constructed the 13km Nike Lake junction-Harmony Estate-Amorji Nike-Adoration Pilgrimage Centre-Orie Emene road linking the ever-busy Abakpa Nike with Emene satellite town in Enugu East LGA *Reconstructed the Nike Lake Road and Abakpa Nike Road in Enugu East LGA, which were marred by traffic gridlock in the past *Constructed the Amaeke-Ngwo-Nsude-9th Mile and Amankwo-Amaeke-Amah Brewery Junction-9th Mile bypasses in Udi LGA *Reconstructed the Airport Roundabout/Orie-Emene/St. Patrick’s College/Eke-Obinagu Road in Enugu East LGA *Reconstructed the Enugu Road (Nsukka) Junction-Umuezebi-Nru Junction-University Gate road, the Post Office Roundabout-Odenigbo Roundabout-Ogurugu Road-Ikenga road and the Obechara Road Junction-Umakashi-Mechanic Village-Ikenga Hotels Junction road, all in the University town of Nsukka. *Constructed the 8.2km Inyi-Akpugoeze road in Oji River LGA *Constructed the Ituku Road in Awgu LGA and the Amurri road in Nkanu West LGA *Simultaneously executed 35 grassroots development projects across the 17 LGAs *Rehabilitated urban and rural roads in Emene, Abakpa-Nike, 9th Mile Corner and the University town of Nsukka *Rehabilitated more internal roads in the University town of Nsukka, covering over 11km. *Rehabilitated the old UNTH-Bunker road, Enugu; constructed the Holy Trinity Street -Bishop Michael Eneje Street, Independence Layout; Mount Crescent, GRA; Orofia Street, off Nza Street, Independence Layout; Dental School-Tipper Garage road Trans Ekulu, Enugu; Ugwuaji-Loma Linda-Timber Shed road, Maryland, Enugu; Nwafia Street, Independence Layout; Mbanefo Street, New Haven; The Secretariat Road, G.R.A; Court Avenue by new State Secretariat; Ibuza Street at Independence Layout; Isi Uzo Street at Independence Layout; Owerri Road; Poly Clinic Road, Asata; Carter Street, off Ogui Road, etc.
The Enugu State Government has distributed quality agricultural inputs for dry season farming to two thousand poor and vulnerable farmers in the rural areas, under the World Bank-Assisted CARES Programme.
Speaking during flag-off of the distribution of the agricultural inputs which ranged from cassava stems, rice seeds, fertilizer and herbicides, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, stated that the intervention was aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, employment generation and stimulation of rural economy.
The deputy governor disclosed that the event was informed by a key pillar of the CARES programme which recommends support to farmers with quality farm inputs such as high yielding seed varieties in order to ensure sustainability of food production as well as livelihoods of farming families.
“The improved inputs for distribution in this event were acquired by the state government in line with the recommendation of the State CARES Committee that the agricultural inputs intervention targets agriculture value chains in which the state has comparative advantage, namely rice farming and cassava farming”, she explained.
Disclosing that the exercise will be replicated in the other two senatorial districts, Mrs. Ezeilo added that the initiative was to mainly reach the poor and vulnerable farmers “for economic empowerment, poverty alleviation, reduction of conflict-inducing social inequalities, boosting agricultural productivity and stimulating the rural economy of the state”.
While commending the State CARES Committee headed by the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Adaonah Kene-Uyanwune, for living up to expectations, the deputy governor maintained that “the state government is making farming an all season activity in order to further broaden and stabilize the role of farming as a source of sustainable employment, livelihood and constant supply of raw materials for our industries and for export”.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Matthew Idu, pointed out that the exercise was to increase food production, stressing that it was one of the measures to address the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hon. Idu therefore urged the agric supervisors to ensure maximum utilization of the inputs, warning against selling of the products.
The event was also witnessed by the Chairman, House Committee on Health and Agriculture, Hon. Sam Ngene, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, his transport counterpart, Hon. Mathias Ekweremadu (Jnr.) and the SPA on Agriculture, Engr. Mike Ogbuekwe, among others.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Wednesday, passionately appealed to men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to fully renew their ultimate commitment towards the provision of security of lives and property by returning to their duty posts across the state.
Gov. Ugwuanyi made the appeal when he visited the Senior Police Officers Mess, Agbani Road, Enugu, to address and commiserate with the members of the Enugu State Police Command, over loss of lives of private citizens and security personnel, grievous bodily injuries as well as destruction of private and public properties including security infrastructure.
The governor who described the mayhem unleashed by miscreants and hoodlums that hijacked the hitherto peaceful #EndSARS protests as “an unusual and challenging period for the Police Force” pointed out that it was needless and “an ill-wind that blew no one any good”.
Gov. Ugwuanyi stated that his administration “in our sensitivity to the mood and pains of the society under our watch,” has set up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to determine the loss of lives and other damages and has also taken time to inspect the various degrees and nature of damage arising from the hijacked protests.
He added that his administration earnestly awaits the recommendations of the panel, reiterating its commitment to implement same with a view to soothing the pains of the security personnel and private citizens who were victims of the mayhem.
Noting that the psyche of the officers and men of the Police Force have been assaulted by the recent sad experience, the governor, who called for a minute’s silence for the deceased, expressed concern that “the self-evident low morale of the Police Force occasioned by the fallout of the #EndSARS protests has, in our judgment, increased the likelihood of crime in the state.
“I therefore passionately implore you to fully renew your commitment to the provision of security of lives and property in the state, as was the case before the protests. The good people of Enugu State had, before now, enjoyed your excellent policing service and wish that you come fully on stream and return to all the security posts in the state”, he said.
While thanking the people of Enugu State for their prayers, support and solidarity “in this challenging period”, Gov. Ugwuanyi equally urged them to renew their cooperation and partnership with the personnel of the security agencies to sustain the tempo of peace and good governance in the state.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Abdurrahman, expressed the deepest appreciation of the Command to Gov. Ugwuanyi for his humility, sense of responsibility, concern, care and love.
Abdurrahman also commended the governor for finding it necessary and expedient, in spite of his tight schedule, to come and commiserate with the men and officers of the Command, over the unfortunate fallout of the #EndSARS protests.
The CP maintained that the visit signified that “we are under a very comfortable hand and care”.
He therefore urged the police officers to pray for the governor as well as extend “our love, dedication and patriotism to him to enable him comfortably discharge his responsibilities that God has placed on his shoulders”.
The Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Engr. Abel Uchenna Nwobodo, has denied the story trending on the social media alleging that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi constructed a community charging centre in Nara community of the council.
In a statement, Engr. Nwobodo described the story as “misleading, false and mischievous and a joke taken too far”.
The council chairman stated categorically that “the governor and his administration are not involved in the project”.
He disclosed that “the said project is a private initiative of an illustrious son of Nara in Nkanu East LGA as a means of contributing to the development of the community, which has nothing to do with any government”.
Nwobodo therefore called on the general public to disregard the story as it was meant to mislead and misinform.
See full text of the statement:
“PRESS STATEMENT November 3, 2020
“ENUGU STATE GOVERNOR, RT. HON. IFEANYI UGWUANYI, DID NOT EXECUTE COMMUNITY CHARGING STATION
“My attention has been drawn to the misleading story trending on social media, alleging that the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, executed a community charging centre tagged: “Gburugburu Community Charging Station”, in Nara, Nkanu East Local Government Area.
“I wish to state categorically that the story is false and mischievous and a joke taken too far, as the governor and his administration are not involved in the project.
“The said project is a private initiative of an illustrious son of Nara in Nkanu East LGA as a means of contributing to the development of the community, which has nothing to do with any government.
“I therefore call on the general public to disregard the story as it was meant to mislead and misinform”.
Enugu State Government has lifted the 13-hour curfew imposed on Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas, in the wake of the untoward activities of hoodlums and miscreants, who hijacked the otherwise peaceful #ENDSARS protests in the state.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, the decision to lift the curfew was "after a considered review of the overall situation in the three local government areas" and in furtherance of the state government's commitment to "total return of normalcy and sustained economic activity in the overall interest of Ndi Enugu".
Aroh therefore announced that "the 13-hour curfew imposed on the three (3) local governments of the Enugu Capital Territory namely Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas, is hereby lifted with effect from 6am on Monday, November 2, 2020".
The Information Commissioner added that consequently "normal social and economic activities will resume effective from 6am on Monday, November 2, 2020, without prejudice to all existing regulations put in place by the Federal Government as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
"Ndi Enugu are therefore advised to go about their lawful social and economic activities, while remaining vigilant and law-abiding as usual" he said.
Gov. Ugwuanyi, Nwodo, other Igbo leaders, youths, visit school children involved in road accident, hospitalized in UNTH
…As gov offers to pay all medical bills
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, this evening, led prominent Igbo leaders such as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; the Deputy Minority Leader and member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu; Member representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji; Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu; wife of the former Premier of the Eastern Region and Nigeria’s first President, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof Uche Azikiwe; leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), former Minister of Women Affairs, Chief Mrs. Josephine Anenih, Enugu State youth and student leaders, among others, to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla, to empathize with the students of Presentation Nursery and Primary School, Awgu Local Government Area and other victims, who were involved in a recent road accident.
Gov. Ugwuanyi, who wished the school children and other victims quick recovery, consoled the parents of the kids to have faith in God as his administration will do anything possible to ensure that they fully recover.
The governor therefore announced that the state government will take care of all their medical bills to any level and urged the management of the hospital to give the victims adequate medical attention.
Other personalities who accompanied the governor were the Chief Whip of Enugu State House of Assembly and member representing Awgu North Constituency, Hon. Mrs. Jane Eneh, the Chairman of Awgu LGA, Hon. Pedro Nwankwo, the founding Director of Women's Aid Collective (WACOL), Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, etc.
The leaders of the South East geo-political zone comprising the governors of the zone, national assembly members, ministers, clergy, traditional rulers, Igbo leaders and women leaders, rose from a closed-door meeting at the Government House, Enugu, on Thursday and resolved to engage the youth to ensure a sustainable peace in the zone as well as “a glorious future for our children”.
The Igbo leaders sympathized with all the victims’ families of the #EndSARS protests, including the Police and other security agencies “as well as all those who lost their loved ones and properties during the recent disturbances”.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum (SEGF) and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, stated that “the state governors are committed to addressing the concerns of our young people that are peculiar to various states and will engage the federal government and their colleagues in other states to address the other issues that are national”.
The SEGF chairman disclosed that “each state in the South East zone will set up a fund to assist the victims of the crisis, including the Police, the Army and other security agencies as well as civilians”.
The South East leaders advised the youth that “while our governors are working hard to meet their demands, the destruction of public and private properties and killing of security agents and civilians will never be allowed to continue”.
While offering to protect all ethnic groups living in the South East, the leaders thanked other parts of Nigeria for protecting Igbos in their areas too.
“We therefore, direct all Igbos, both in and outside Nigeria, to go about their businesses and should not participate in any form of unlawful protest and criminality”, they said.
Also present at the meeting were Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Imo State Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Sam Egwu, Senator Uche Ekwunife.
Others include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Uchechukwu Ogah, Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, the Obi of Onitsha, HRM, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Amb. Mrs. Justina Eze, etc.
…Says Ugwuanyi only governor that gave students palliatives during COVID-19 lockdown
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has applauded the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, for swiftly commencing action towards securing justice for late Ejike Okeke, a student of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, who was unfortunately hit by a stray bullet during the #EndSARS protest hijacked by miscreants.
In a statement jointly signed by the Deputy Coordinator, NANS Zone B (South-South, South-East) Comr. Darlington Ugwuegbe and NANS Chairman, Enugu State, Comr. Romanus Ogene, the Nigerian students expressed satisfaction that “the Gov. Ugwuanyi-led administration has immediately swung into action, dispatching government delegation to pay condolences to all bereaved families of the #EndSARS protest and initiating an investigation panel geared towards identifying perpetrators of these crimes”.
They added that the state government has also gone further "to demonstrate pro-activeness by setting up a panel on victims of #EndSARS protest, to investigate and ascertain peculiar cases surrounding every victim of the protests and report for urgent government action”, in line with their demands.
NANS stressed that “these urgent actions by the Gov. Ugwuanyi administration clearly demonstrate responsiveness and forthrightness of government”, and have gone further to reaffirm “our faith and trust in the current administration”.
According to NANS leaders, “As the highest students leadership body, we are also elated that the government of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has ushered Enugu State students into a new phase of inclusion where classroom students will be involved and carried along in every committee, panels, boards and delegation. From where we stand, it demonstrates the administration's belief in the latent potentials of a student.
“Instructively, while there is the long argument about palliatives, the leadership of Enugu State students vehemently refuses to tread the ignorant path remembering that Gov. Ugwuanyi remains the only governor in Nigeria that gave students palliatives during the COVID-19 lockdown, a gesture that Enugu State students will not forget in a hurry.
“We clearly understand that this is a trying time for our dear state and our nation but we trust in the strength of the governor's compassionate character to manage all emotions and sentiments that have been stirred up by the events of the past few days.
“Finally, we urge the members of the constituted panel to strive to live up to the demands of their mandate while we continue to maintain relations with the state government to ensure that investigations are fruitful”.
Gov. Ugwuanyi sympathises with families of #EndSARS victims
…Inaugurates panel on findings, compensation
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Wednesday, conveyed the sympathy of his administration to the families of private citizens and security personnel who lost their loved ones to the unfortunate violence and criminality precipitated by the hijack of the otherwise peaceful #EndSARS protests by miscreants.
The governor also conveyed his administration’s compassionate consideration to private citizens and security personnel who suffered grievous bodily injuries during the mayhem as well as private citizens’ properties and security infrastructure.
Gov. Ugwuanyi made the solemn expressions when he inaugurated the nine-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry he constituted on Tuesday “to determine the loss of lives and/or other grievous bodily injuries to private citizens and security personnel as well as destruction of properties of private citizens and security infrastructure in Enugu State resulting from the hijack of the #EndSARS protests by miscreants”.
The governor who expressed gratitude to God for the significant return to normalcy in the state, gratefully acknowledged the wise counsel of the traditional rulers, religious leaders and stakeholders “who in the heat of the mayhem, lent their voices to the call for restraint and responsible citizenship”.
He also applauded the youth for rising “in defense of our coal city”, adding that “the freewill cleaning of the post-protest debris on our streets by volunteers and donors is deeply appreciated”.
According to him, “Our administration has elected to mitigate the pains of the loss of lives of private citizens and security personnel, their grievous bodily injuries and destruction of properties of private persons and security infrastructure occasioned by the hijacked #EndSARS protests”.
Disclosing that he constituted the panel pursuant to Executive Order No. 04 of 2020, dated 27th October, 2020 “made in exercise of my powers under Section 4, Subsection 1 of the Commission of Inquiry Law Cap. 24 of the Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004”, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed confidence that “the members of this panel have the expertise and gravitas for this assignment”.
He therefore enjoined residents of the state to avail the panel the cooperation and support for expeditious delivery on its mandates, and remain vigilant and peaceful.
Members of the panel, which has sixty days to conclude and submit its report include - Justice Fredrick Obieze, (Rtd.) - Chairman; Professor Frank Ezugwu (Provost, ESUTH College of Medicine) - Member; Professor Agozie Ogbodo (Dean, Faculty of Law, Godfrey Okoye University) - Member; H.R.H. Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu(Traditional Ruler of Ibagwa Nike) - Member; Professor Ngozi Ejionueme (Head, Department of Marketing, ESUT) - Member.
Others are Rev. Emmanuel Edeh (CAN Chairman in Enugu State) –Member; Chief Frank Maluze (Chartered Estate Surveyor and Valuer) – Member; Comrade Modester Onwuha (Vice-President, SUG, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus) - Member; Barrister Ben. Chinedu Oloko (Private Legal Practitioner representing the Youths) – Member and Mr. Charles Abugu (Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service) – Secretary.
The panel’s terms of reference include “to identify private persons and security personnel who lost their lives and recommend compensation that may be paid to their families” and “to identify private persons and security personnel who sustained grievous bodily injuries and recommend compensation that may be paid to them”.
Other terms of reference are “to determine private properties and security infrastructure destroyed and recommend compensation and/or remedial measures” and “make any recommendations arising out of the evidence, considerations or findings of the Administrative Panel in relation to the matters set out in paragraphs a – c above that the panel considers appropriate”.
Responding on behalf of other members, the panel’s Chairman, Justice Obieze (Rtd.), thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for the confidence he reposed in them and promised that they will discharge their duties creditably and in accordance with the law.
The office of the President on Thursday declined comment when asked why the law establishing Nigeria’s anti-trafficking agency, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), was jettisoned in selecting the agency’s new head.
Calls and a text message to the known line of presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Thursday, were not acknowledged or replied.
Mr Shehu had, on Tuesday, announced the appointment of Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim as the new director-general of NAPTIP.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim as the new Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) December 1, 2020
She was appointed after incumbent Julie Okah-Donli was suddenly sacked, having not completed her four-year tenure as she was appointed in April 2017.
PREMIUM TIMES, however, found that both officials do not have the required qualifications for the agency’s top job.
Section 8(1) of the NAPTIP Act 2015 mandates the director-general of the agency to be from the directorate cadre of the public service or its equivalent in any of the law enforcement agencies.
Before being appointed, Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim was a political appointee, working for the minister of state for education as a special adviser on strategic communication.
Before being appointed, Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim was a political appointee, working for the minister of state for education as a special adviser on strategic communication.
TEXEM Advert On the other hand, Mrs Okah-Donli, a lawyer, was a legal adviser of the Nigerian Capital Market Institute, an executive assistant to former Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa, and head of the Abuja branch and northern region for UBA Trustees.
The spokesperson to Abubakar Malami, the minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, Umar Gwandu, directed all inquiries on the NAPTIP matter to the ministry of humanitarian affairs, whose spokesperson, Halima Oyelade, again declined comment.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, is also yet to reply to a message sent to him seeking comment.
Nigerians on twitter have meanwhile been asking why the sacked director-general was appointed in the first place despite her work experience not fulfilling the legal requirements for the job.
They also blamed the president for lack of due diligence in the latest appointment.
Some commentators demanded that Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s appointment be revoked, while a qualified director-general is appointed for NAPTIP.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has constituted a 9-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry to look into the recent loss of lives and/or other grievous bodily injuries to private citizens and security personnel, resulting from the hijack by miscreants of the otherwise peaceful #ENDSARS protests.
The panel will also look into the related destruction of properties of private citizens and security infrastructure in Enugu State.
According to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, the panel was constituted by Gov. Ugwuanyi “pursuant to Executive Order No. 04 of 2020 dated 27th October, 2020, made in the exercise of his powers under Section 4 (1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law Cap. 24 of the Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004”.
Prof. Ortuanya stated that the terms of reference of the panel, which has sixty days to conclude and submit its report to the governor, are “to identify private persons and security personnel who lost their lives and recommend compensation that may be paid to their families” and “to identify private persons and security personnel who sustained grievous bodily injuries and recommend compensation that may be paid to them”.
Other terms of reference are “to determine private properties and security infrastructure destroyed and recommend compensation and/or remedial measures” and “make any recommendations arising out of the evidence, considerations or findings of the Administrative Panel in relation to the matters set out in paragraphs a – c above that the panel considers appropriate”.
The SSG disclosed that membership of the panel, which will be inaugurated on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at the Government House, Enugu at 1pm include - Justice Fredrick Obieze, (Rtd.) - Chairman; Professor Frank Ezugwu (Provost, ESUTH College of Medicine) - Member; Professor Agozie Ogbodo (Dean, Faculty of Law, Godfrey Okoye University) - Member; H.R.H. Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu(Traditional Ruler of Ibagwa Nike) - Member; Professor Ngozi Ejionueme (Head, Department of Marketing, ESUT) - Member.
Others are Rev. Emmanuel Edeh (CAN Chairman in Enugu State) –Member; Chief Frank Maluze (Chartered Estate Surveyor and Valuer) – Member; Comrade Modester Onwuha (Vice-President, SUG, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus) - Member; Barrister Ben. Chinedu Oloko (Private Legal Practitioner representing the Youths) – Member and Mr. Charles Abugu (Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service) – Secretary.
(Viewer discretion) Unbelievable! So these heartless hoodlums who claimed to be #EndSARS protesters gruesomely murdered and burnt police officers beyond recognition in #EnuguState & nobody is talking about it... @Coal_City @mcginger22 @GovUgwuanyiNews
#EndSARS protests in Enugu: A message to biased social media character assasins!
Those who are running their mouths on social media, misleading the public, what do you have to say about these heart-rending pictures of Inspr. John Jesse Abba, (the Armourer) and PC Emmanuel......Ogboji, from the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) who were gruesomely murdered and burnt beyond recognition at T-junction, Abakpa and Emene, in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, by these wicked hoodlums and criminals who paraded themselves..as #EndSARS protesters.
These barbaric miscreants were the same set of armed hoodlums that headed to Queens School Enugu on Saturday with the aim of forcefully gaining entrance into the school to rape and kidnap the female students staying in the school's dormitories. Thank God...for the swift intervention of the security agencies.
The questions now begging for answers are these:
*Are police officers not human beings any longer?
*Why are these social media warriors who take delight at falsely accusing the government and misleading the gullible......public, not speaking out for those security personnel who were gruesomely murdered by armed hoodlums and criminals in Enugu State, in the name of #EndSARS protests?
*Why is it that none of those ranting on social media has come out to comdenm these henoius and dastardly...acts of violence, killings, lootings and wanton destruction of public and private property by these heartless elements in Enugu State disguising as #EndSARS protesters.
Please, let's not play politics with everything because God Almighty is watching all of us.The truth shall also prevail!
*We were mobilized to protect school girls from hoodlums, criminals *Miscreants killed, burnt policemen, stations, others
One of the soldiers mobilized by the military to protect the innocent female students at Queens School Enugu, last Saturday, following a security report that armed hoodlums and criminals parading themselves as #EnuguSARS protesters wanted to invade the school in search of COVID-19 palliatives, has opened up on what transpired, contrary to the stories being peddled on the social media, IGBERE TV reports.
The soldier who spoke to our correspondent in confidence disclosed that there was no directive from anybody, as being mischievously peddled on social media, to shoot or kill the hoodlums and criminals who in their numbers, some with weapons, attempted to overpower the security agencies and forcefully invade the school, where the young girls are staying.
The military officer stated categorically that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi did not give them any directive, explaining that "what happened was a case of stray bullet which the hoodlums themselves have questions to answer "because they had dangerous weapons like guns as they were forcefully approaching us to overpower us and go into that school where these girls we were ask to protect were".
It would be recalled that the principal of Queens School Enugu, Mrs. Ada Nweke, had in a video, sent SOS to the security agencies to come to the rescue of the traumatized girls following the forceful attempt by the hoodlums and criminals to invade the school.
Mrs. Nweke who stated that there were no COVID-19 palliatives still in the school as they had been distributed to the 17 Local Government Areas in August, stressed that “we don’t want what happened to the Chibok girls to happen to these students”.
Prior to the alarm raised by the principal, it was widely reported that the hoodlums and criminals’ aim was to invade the school, in the disguise of #EndSARS protest looking for palliatives, and then rape and kidnap the female students similarly to what happened to the Chibok girls.
When asked who then directed them to mobilize to the school, the officer said: "This question has a straight answer. The world knows where we take directives from. The military just like other security agencies are exclusively under the control of the federal government and we take instructions from our heads.
"So I don't know what you mean whether it was the governor that directed us or not. We know who directs us, and even you here asking me this kind of question know too. No governor directs the military or its officers. Please take this message home and stop asking such questions".
On the 24-hour curfew imposed, the soldier pointed out that "it was unfortunate that these people refused to stay at home and obey the curfew imposed by the state government. They saw us pleading with them to go home but they kept forcing their way to overpower us.
"Are you not aware that these miscreants killed two policemen in this state and burnt one in the process of this protest? They burnt police stations, looted and destroyed a lot of properties belonging to innocent people.
"What have you said about it? Did you report it? Did you see it circulated anywhere on social media by those peddling these lies against the governor and security agencies. Or are security personnel not human beings like you?
"So if a security man is killed by hoodlums it is not news worthy to be spread on this una social media?
“Please go and advise these youths to stop exposing themselves to dangers because as I am talking to you here, a directive has come from the Presidency again that both the military and police should mobilize across the country to stop these lootings, killings and destruction of public and private property.
"Go and warn them before they start accusing the state governors or other persons".
Travel › Dana Air Commences Daily Flights To Enugu From Lagos And Abuja. by OEPHIUS(op): 10:06pm On Nov 16, 2020
