₦airaland Forum

The Enugu State Government says it will embark on a six-day specific-target polio vaccination to sustain the state’s decades-long polio free-status. Dr George Ugwu, the Executive Secretary of Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday. Ugwu said that the polio specific-target vaccination would take place in Uzo-Uwani Local Government area between Aug. 22 and Aug. 27.

The executive secretary said that a total of 35,775 children from three months to five years had been penciled in for vaccination in the council area within the six days. He said that 29 vaccination teams had been trained and mobilised for the exercise taking place in primary healthcare centres in the council area. According to him, the exercise is intended to ensure the sustenance of the state’s polio free-status and by extension the whole Nigeria.

Ugwu appealed to parents, mothers and caregivers to take their children under five years old with their health cards to the primary healthcare centres nearest to them in the council area. “The ENS-PHCDA, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), WHO, UNICEF as well as Rotary International, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and other stakeholders are to hold fractional inactivated polio vaccine in Uzo-Uwani council area. “This is an immunisation campaign that involves mass immunisation of children three month to five years with polio vaccine and other vaccines by trained and authorised health workers. READ ALSO: Ugwuanyi collates youths data for employment “This immunisation exercise is facility-based, Not house-to-house.

Health workers will be ready at the primary healthcare centres and other public places where children under five years are found in the council area to administer vaccine on them. “The vaccine protects these children from polio-myelitis and other infections which paralyze or kill such infected child,’’ he said. Ugwu also said that within this period, other scheduled routine immunisation activities would also go on in various health centres in all health centres simultaneously. He stressed that: “all vaccines are free, safe and very effective’’, adding that “all health facilities and workers will observe the NCDC COVID-19 preventive measures and protocols.’’ (NAN)

*Court ordered his house demolition - ECDTA

Owners of property adjacent to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu that were demolished recently by one Arch. John J. Emejulu have cried out to the federal government to come to their rescue.

The landlords, who made the call while narrating their ugly experience to newsmen, yesterday, said Arch. Emejulu led armed thugs to destroy their property, saying that his armed thugs also carted some of their belongings. They also alleged that he made monetary demand of N15 million from each of them.

They also said that Emejulu carried out the nefarious act, including the destruction of the concrete perimeter fence of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, purporting to be executing a court order he “mischievously and surreptitiously obtained in 2020, against a subsisting restraining order made in 2017 for stay of execution of the judgment of suit No. E/642/2016”.

The owners of the property maintained that Emejulu’s ulterior motive in surreptitiously obtaining another court in 2020 without disclosing to the court the existence of the Motion on Notice which made an interim order for maintenance of status quo (stay of execution) and which was adjourned for ruling, was glaring, a clear case of contempt of the order of the court and a deliberate act prejudicial to peace and order in the state, calling for criminal prosecution.

Speaking on behalf of the landlords in the neighborhood on the demolition of their property, Mr. Basil Madueke, whose duplex was destroyed, said it was the third time the perpetrator came with armed thugs to demolish their property.

Madueke who led the newsmen round the affected structures, stressed that Emejulu’s level of intimidation and brutality were unbearable.

He added that Emejulu has been terrorizing the neighborhood claiming to be the rightful owner of the entire area including the Enugu airport land, which was also affected by his destruction exercise.

Madueke explained that he, just like most other landlords, rightfully acquired their lands from Best Shelter Limited and have the necessary documents backing them up.

His words: “This is the third time Mr. J. J Emejulu is destroying my property. And I have all the evidence, both pictures and video to back up my claims. So, I call upon the federal government to take immediate action because I demand that this very man should pay for the damage he has caused me and other affected landlords.

“It is not only me, he destroyed many other property, which I can take you around to see.

Also narrating his experience, a tenant of one the affected buildings, Mr. Kingsley Obiora, said that they woke up in the morning on that fateful day and were shocked to see touts pulling down the fence of their compound.

Obiora, who expressed sadness at the incident, added that the armed thugs came into their apartments, destroyed other parts of the building and carted away their personal belongings.

Another landlord, Mr. Joshua Akachukwu Otu, gave similar narrative, describing the incident as embarrassing, as he acquired his property legally.

On Arch. Emejulu’s claim that his residence was arbitrarily pulled down, the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) has debunked the allegation, insisting that it acted in compliance with a subsisting court order, having been found to have been erected on waterway, which posed dangers to the lives and property of the entire neighbourhood.

Consequently, the development control agency made public the court order that authorized it “to demolish the respondent’s (Emejulu) illegal structure located at No. 23/24 Eziokwe Street, Community Estate, Enugu with code No. 003005835.”

The agency in seeking court authorization, prayed the court for an order restraining the respondent from carrying out any such development at that location, and the court granted the application by Motion Ex-Parte stating that “the Applicant is authorized/ directed to remove the respondent’s illegal structure located at No. 23/24 Eziokwe Street, Community Estate, Enugu with code No. 003005835.”

Chairman of ECTDA, Dr. Josef Onoh, while reacting to the allegation that the state government exercised revenge on Emejulu for demolishing about two kilometers of perimeter fence at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, said it was not true.

Onoh said: “It was not a revenge. He destroyed a federal government property which he has to sort out with the federal government, but this is a state function, exercising control of unapproved structures. He was duly given 21 days notice and he was properly served.

“The property stood on a waterway and it had to go. There is another building close to that one, on the same street, which has already been marked for demolition. Tenants in that one have already moved out because the property already has severe cracks from the foundation and we are going to pull it down very soon.

“If you are observant, you would have noted that the Enugu Capital Territory has been carrying out control measures in Enugu capital city and Emejulu’s property cannot be an exception, despite whatever axe he has to grind with the federal government”.

Meanwhile, further enquiries revealed that the building's marking for demolition predated the destruction of the Enugu airport fence as it showed July 8, 2020, which is nearly one month before the airport fence was brought down by Arch. Emejulu.

The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, has offered clarification on the twin duplex demolished by the agency at the Eziokwe Street, Nike Lake Area of the State.

It said the property, which belongs to one Arch. John Emejulu was demolished by the agency on Friday in compliance with a valid court order, having been found to have been erected on waterway, which posed health risk.

Emejulu has been in the news after he destroyed the perimeter fence of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu

Executive Director and chairman of ECTDA, Mr. Ken Onoh, who spoke on the development, Saturday, said the building was brought down owing to a valid court order and not any form of reprisal.

A court order sighted by our correspondent showed that the building was demolished for contravening health safety as it was erected on waterways and had to give way.

Onoh re-echoed the agency’s stand that “the property situated along Eziokwe Street, off Nike Lake road, Enugu, stood on a water way, needed to give way for public safety and was demolished in compliance with a valid court order after it was duly served on the occupant of the house.”

He urged the public to ignore claims that the demolition was any form of reprisal.

Meanwhile, further enquiries revealed that the building’s marking for demolition predated the destruction of the Enugu Airport fence as it showed July 8,2020, which is nearly one month before the airport fence was brought down.

*Says it will deploy all lawful means to protect national security asset

*Aviation Minister applauds Buhari, Ugwuanyi’s intervention

The federal government, on Thursday, vowed to apply all lawful means to prosecute one Arch. John J. Emejulu, who was responsible for the destruction of the concrete perimeter fence, covering about 2km, being erected at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the airport.

Speaking to newsmen after inspecting the site to ascertain the level of destruction, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, expressed deep sadness that the perpetrator could take such an unlawful act by destroying a “national security asset”, at a time the federal government was in the course of delivering the Enugu airport, on August 30, as promised.

Narrating what transpired, Sirika disclosed that “while the procurement (of the Enugu airport rehabilitation) was going on, a certain cantankerous individual by name Arch. J.J. Emejulu came with bulldozers and hundreds of armed thugs and destroyed more than 2km of our fence”.

The Minister, who described the action as unfortunate, unbecoming and unacceptable, said that “he (Emejulu) has given the government the opportunity to show how not to willfully destroy public asset belonging to over 200 million people”.

While reiterating the commitment of the federal government to the reopening of the Enugu airport on August 30, as earlier promised, Sirika, expressed dismay that in spite of the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, to bring the airport back to its glory, with the nation’s limited resources and “at this very austere time”, to contribute to trade and commerce as well as guarantee safety of air travelers, “a certain cantankerous individual appeared from nowhere with bulldozers and destroyed this national security asset”.

“It is a wrong time to test our resolve. The individual will certainly be dealt with maximally without recourse. I am sure he will regret doing this and of course this is also an opportunity for government to show that no one can take the law into his hands and willfully destroy national asset belonging to 200 million of all of us.

“This will certainly be the end of this kind of recklessness. We will not forgive him. The Chief of Air Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General, DSS, others, will be directed to do the needful and bring him to book, so that anybody who would contemplate doing something like this in future will have a rethink.

“We are government in place; we are not a lawless country; we are not in a banana republic, we are in the Federal Republic of Nigeria governed by laws. Certainly, this is not acceptable and I am sure that we are equal to the task of rising in defence of our national asset”, the Minister maintained.

Sirika who thanked President Buhari “for his wisdom to allow this procurement to continue by providing the money, also appreciated the South East Governors especially Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who he said “has helped us in this procurement and has responded to all our requests for the actualization of this laudable project”.

He noted that Gov. Ugwuanyi visited the site of the destroyed fence earlier and was at the airport to meet with him over the matter, stressing that it shows his level of commitment to the realization of the Enugu airport project.

Also on the inspection tour were the Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command, NAF, Enugu, Air Vice Marshal Idi Amin, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Hamisu Rabiu Yadudu, the Enugu Airport Manager, Member representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, Hon. Prince Cornelius Nnaji, Mrs. Cecilia Oguama, the Chairman, South East Governors’ Forum Airport Rehabilitation/Palliative Works Committee, Engr. Chris Okoye, the Enugu State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, his Information counterpart, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, and the Chairman, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Dr. Josef Umunnakwe Onoh, among others.

Enugu State is in the hands of God! #amokelouis

…Honours state’s representative, Mrs. Tor

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has emphasized the vital role of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in implementation and enforcement of the principles of fairness and equity in the distribution of all public posts and socio-economic infrastructure, among the various federating units of the country.

Gov. Ugwuanyi stressed this yesterday, at the Government House, Enugu, when he hosted the Commissioner representing Enugu State, in the Federal Character Commission, Mrs. Ginika Florence Tor, who was recently inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhrai, alongside other members of the Commission.

The governor noted that the Commission is saddled with the responsibility of working out an equitable formula, subject to the approval of the President, for the distribution of all cadres of posts in the public service of the federation and of the states, the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force and other government security agencies, government owned companies and parastatals of the states, etc.

He pointed out that the Commission’s responsibilities, which are apt, underscore the strategic role of the state’s representative, Mrs. Tor, “in ensuring that Enugu State is availed its fair share of posts in civil and public services of the federation”.

While congratulating Mrs. Tor on her new appointment, Gov. Ugwuanyi prayed for God’s guidance and protection, assuring her of his administration’s willingness and readiness to avail her all necessary support and collaboration to maximize the state’s opportunities in the civil and public services of the federation.

“I pray that the good Lord grants you the health, presence of mind, focus and courage to enthrone a new paradigm that will expand the frontiers of Enugu State opportunities in the Federal Civil and Public Services”, the governor added.

In her remark, Mrs. Tor, who was accompanied to the reception by her colleagues in the Federal Character Commission, from Abia, Anambra, Lagos, Cross River, Delta and Nasarawa States, expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for deeming it necessary to honour her in spite of the fact that they are in different political parties.

The Federal Commissioner, who eulogized Gov. Ugwuanyi for his outstanding leadership qualities - his non-partisanship, humility, wonderful personality and sustained commitment to entrenchment of peace and good governance in Enugu State - assured the governor that “we are going to work to the best of our ability to get whatever that is due to Enugu State at the federal level”.

Mrs. Tor thanked President Buhari for reviving the Commission based on “the need to maintain balance, fairness, equity and justice in the country”.

The Enugu representative also acknowledged the commitment of the Chairman of the Commission, Hajiya (Dr.) Muheeba F. Dankaka “in putting a stop to cries of marginalization and under-representation”.

Mrs. Tor disclosed that “She (Dankaka) graciously allowed us to use two weeks to go down to our various states to feel at first-hand how fair and equitable we have been in the conduct of public affairs at the federal, states and local government levels, at the end of which we would report back to Abuja”.

In their separate felicitations, the Federal Commissioners in the FCC present at the event, described Mrs. Tor as a bridge-builder, hardworking and wonderful woman, commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for honoring her, despite their differences in political affiliation.

The event was also graced by the Member representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo, his Enugu East/ Isi-Uzo counterpart, Hon. Prince Cornelius Nnaji, the Caretaker State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Augustine Nnamani, among others.

Enugu State is in the hands of God! #amokelouis

World Breastfeeding Week: Enugu Governor’s wife calls for appropriate feeding of children

The wife of the Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Monica Ugochi Ugwuanyi, has urged mothers, fathers and wives of the Local Government Chairmen to join her in the renewed call for appropriate breastfeeding of children “as one pathway to mitigate environmental degradation that starts with correct breastfeeding”.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi made the call in her message to commemorate this year’s World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2020), themed: “Supporting breastfeeding for a healthier Planet”.

The Enugu State Governor’s wife listed the negative consequences of inadequate breastfeeding on malnourished children, especially when they become adults, to include stunting of growth and likely suffering of chronic diseases.

She added that such health challenges contribute in making populations vulnerable to pandemics such as the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) currently ravaging the world.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi therefore harped on the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding of children within the first hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for six months and introduction of solid food as complementary feeding and continuous breastfeeding for two years of age or beyond.

She disclosed that breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight viruses and bacteria, lowers their (babies') risk of having asthma or allergies, provides the ideal nutrition for the babies and makes them smarter, adding that babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months without a formula have fewer ear infections, respiratory illness and diarrhea.

“Breast milk is a natural, renewable food that is environmentally safe and green because it is produced and delivered to the consumer without pollution, packaging or waste. We need to respect nature, by doing first thing, first! Breast milk is the first food that we consume in life and it is a critical part of sustainable food system”, she emphasized.

While calling for renewed collaboration with relevant stakeholders towards the actualization of appropriate breastfeeding of children, Mrs. Ugwuanyi pointed out that “a warm chain of support from us all will create an enabling environment that empowers all mothers to breastfeed optimally for a healthier planet, saying: “I pledge to bridge the gap for the survival of our children”.

…Calls for intense prayers over nation’s challenges

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has enjoined Muslims and indeed all Nigerians, to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, to rejuvenate their faith in God and pray fervently for the peace, unity, security and progress of the nation, especially as the country battles the novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In his Sallah Message, Gov. Ugwuanyi felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful, and wished them the blessings and guidance of Allah.

The governor urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of love, charity and sacrifice as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

While wishing all Nigerians a peaceful and healthy celebration, Gov. Ugwuanyi advised them to stay safe and adhere strictly to all precautionary measures for the containment of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!

You will probably have read the news. It is on almost every news channel and the thought that something like that happened, repulsed me. Or, how do you bring yourself to the news that over 600 ‘repentant’ Boko Haram combatants graduated in Gombe?

Yes, you heard me right. People who took up arms against the country, and possibly maim and kill innocent Nigerians and soldiers and destroy properties are now free. Not only that, but they also get to enjoy public resources towards rehabilitation until they are graduated, and most likely, reintegrated into the community.

Isn’t that depressing? The same elements who at a point wrought unimaginable destruction on Nigeria and vowed to disrupt the generally acceptable means of governance to foist a crooked ideology on the people. This is to refresh your memory and give you a clear idea of what just happened.

I’ve tried severally, but I’m yet to find anyone to convince me of what really Boko Haram is fighting for. Boko Haram crept to the consciousness of Nigerians after founder Mohammed Yusuf was murdered in a police cell and the group has gone on to become a monster that breaks down public safety and order in the North-Eastern states.

Through the sustained campaign of violence by Boko Haram in more than a decade, Nigeria has lost more than 30,000 people and over two million people were forced to leave their homes. The picture gets grimmer when the economic cost of Boko Haram terror is put into perspective– money running into several billion if not trillions of naira has been expended to the war.

That is how bad Boko Haram turned on the country and to now see that ‘combatants’ of the sect are being pardoned and reintegrated into the same community they sought to destroy, call to question government resolve to deal with criminals. No excuse can ever be enough to dissuade mounting concerns that come with letting people who took up arms against the country go unpunished, and even worse, be reintegrated into the society.

When criminals begin to realize that there are no consequences for their actions, and particularly, waging a needless war against the country, the looming danger is better not imagined. The ‘we’ll get pardoned’ mentality and tendency to be rehabilitated into the society no matter the extent of crime committed will be a motivation for criminals to surge.

Some people, mostly supporters of the All Progressives Congress-led government, have tried to deflate attention from the wrong impression that the handling of Boko Haram ‘combatants’ has created. Even if those Boko Haram’s combatants’ surrendered as claimed, they should at least serve some form of punishment to deter others from repeating a similar act.

This is not only the right thing to do, it is justice. There are families who lost loved ones to Boko Haram activities and more importantly, our servicemen who died in the quest for restoring peace and order, deserves justice. It is not fair to cut lose those who wittingly or otherwise played a role in their massacre on the mere defense that they surrendered. Why doesn’t armed robber get freed whenever they surrender to the authority?

A terrorist is a terrorist, no matter their excuse, and nothing, not even the borrowed toga of rehabilitation done on them, can wash away their guilt. Of course, we should be looking forward, not backward, but we can’t ignore the ugly sight that people who once bear arms against the country are getting superb treatment and comfortable integration into communities. This will only worsen things and put public safety on the extreme.

And that can be seen from the rejection posed by members of communities, who are not ready to welcome rehabilitated Boko Haram ‘combatants’ into their midst. These are people who have experienced first hand the horror of the murderous sect, and the government should at least, listen to them and address their fears.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has signed the revised 2020 budget of N146,374,641,080.00 into law, as against the earlier approved budget of N169,557,658,300.00.

The revised 2020 budget of N146.4 billion represents 13.67 percent reduction in the initial budget size of N169.6 billion, which amounts to N23,183,017,220.00.

The revised budget, which was in response to the negative consequences of the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on the economy, was passed by State House of Assembly on Wednesday, after its presentation to the public for inputs.

According to details of the new budget, the earlier approved recurrent and capital expenditures of N68,790,000,000.00 and N100,767,658,300.00 were revised to N69,790,000,000.00 and N76,584,641,080 respectively, representing 48 percent and 52 percent.

Also in the approved revised budget, the state government made savings of N53,617,927,900.00 and added the sum of N27,455,910,680.

The governor, who signed the budget in the presence of his Deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, members of the House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, members of the State Executive Council, among other top government functionaries, thanked the members of the House for their diligent and expeditious passage of the budget.

Enugu State is in the hands of God! #amokelouis

…Proposes 13.67% reduction of N23.1b

The administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Tuesday, engaged citizens on the proposal to revise the state's 2020 budget and tailor it down to align with the current economic realities occasioned by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government and all 36 states of the federation were mandated to revise their budgets, in line with the templates adopted by the National Executive Council, to be able to adapt to the current situation globally.

Speaking during the public presentation, held at The Dome Event Centre, Enugu, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, represented by his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, said that the budget revision became imperative because of "the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, especially the drastic reduction in government earnings, arising from the sudden collapse of the global demand for price of crude oil".

Mrs. Ezeilo pointed out that the public session with citizens of the state underscores the state government's commitment to participatory democracy and transparency.

The Deputy Governor added that the exercise was also "in fulfillment of our obligations under the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the conditions of the World Bank budget policy support partnership as well as our Open Government Partnership (OGP) obligations.

She maintained that "the budget of the Enugu State Government is 'the business' of all the stakeholders and opinion leaders as well as all Ndi Enugu at home and in the Diaspora", stressing that their brilliant and patriotic inputs and the faithfulness “made our 2019 budget to achieve a performance of 80%”.

She said this was in addition to Enugu’s current enviable rating as one of the six most economically viable states in Nigeria.

Earlier in his remark, the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. David Ugwunta, disclosed that the state government had carried out similar exercise during the preparation of the 2020 budget, which he said, offered citizens the opportunity to make their inputs.

Dr. Ugwunta explained that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic had its negative consequences that resulted in the drop of GDP growth, which brought about increase in inflation.

The commissioner said that the development propelled “the need to look at the 2020 budget and to be able to bring it down and align it to the current economic realities”.

Dr. Ugwunta, therefore, informed the public that the State Government proposed a 13.67 percent reduction in the 2020 budget size of N169, 557,658,300.00, which amounts to N23,183,017,220.00.

He stated that the proposed revised budget estimate is N146,374,641,080.00, while the savings and additional sum required are N53,617,927,900 and N27,455,910,680.00 respectively.

The commissioner further disclosed that the 2020 budget approved recurrent and capital expenditures of N68,790,000,000.00 and N100,767,658,300.00 were revised to N69,790,000,000.00 and N76,584,641,080 respectively, representing 48 percent and 52 percent.

While seeking the cooperation and inputs of state residents, Dr. Ugwunta assured them that the revised budget, if approved, will guarantee the state government’s firm footing to address their development needs and respond to the challenges associated with COVID-19 pandemic.

Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu and other members of the State Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya and other members of the State Executive Council, state traditional rulers led by their Chairman, HRH Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mr. Casmir Ugwu, members of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), President Generals among others.


Enugu State is in the hands of God! #amoke

...Dedicates victory to Ondo People, fellow aspirants

The winner of the Governorship Primary Election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Eyitayo Olayinka Jegede, has commended the Electoral Committee of the PDP led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, for conducting "a very transparent exercise".

Jegede, the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, during ex-Governor Olusegun Mimiko's administration, polled 888 votes to defeat his closest rival, the incumbent Deputy of the State, Ajayi Alfred Agboola, who scored 657 votes.

The PDP Governorship Candidate, who spoke after he was declared winner of the kneely contested primary election, thanked the people of Ondo State, his fellow aspirants and party delegates for the victory.

Announcing the result after the exercise, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who was the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Returning Officer, said that "the exercise was peaceful, free and fair, and was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of our Party, the PDP".

The governor also announced the scores of other aspirants as follows: Ayorinde Olabode Oluwasola (95 votes); Ebiseni Olusola Nehemiah (29 votes); Erewa Godday O. (14 votes); Kunlere Boluwaji (33 votes); Okunomo Benjamin Adebanji (90 votes) and Olafeso Eddy Eniola (175 votes).

Gov. Ugwuanyi, who conducted the election with his colleague from Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Adamu Umaru Fintiri and other members of the Electoral Committee, appreciated the aspirants and delegates for their comportment and commitment to the success of the exercise.

He therefore urged all the aspirants to close ranks and work for the victory of the PDP, in the forthcoming Governorship Election in Ondo State.

"By the powers conferred on me as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Returning Officer for this exercise, I announce that Jegede Eyitayo Olayinka, having scored the highest votes cast and met all the requirements of our Party’s guidelines for the conduct of this election, is hereby declared winner of the PDP Governorship Primary Election in Ondo State, and is returned elected", he said.

Gov. Ugwuanyi administration’s rural health reforms yielding positive results

The sustained efforts of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration towards infrastructural upgrade and rehabilitation of health facilities in the rural communities of Enugu State, are yielding positive results as construction works are in top gear at the various sites.

Below are the ongoing external works/landscaping of the new hospital building at General Hospital Nsukka, Ede-Oballa and the construction of borehole with a 10,000-litre capacity overhead tank, as well as rehabilitation of an existing 10,000-liter capacity overhead tank, for reticulation of water to all existing structures at the health facility.

Enugu State is in the hands of God! #amokelouis