₦airaland Forum

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has approved the release of the sum of N24,600,000.00 (Twenty-four million, six hundred thousand naira only) to the Enugu State Scholarship and Education Loans Board (ESSELB) for Bursary allowance to 246 students of the state at the Nigeria Law Schools.

A statement by the Executive Secretary of ESSELB, Barr. Levis Uche Abonyi, disclosed that the beneficiary students will get the sum of N100,000 (One hundred thousand naira) each.

Barr. Abonyi stated that those eligible for the offer “must be indigenes of Enugu State and in the Nigerian Law Schools”.

The ESSELB Executive Secretary added that other requirements expected from the would-be beneficiaries include “a valid Admission letter; a valid Law school ID card; a Local Government Area identification letter dully signed by the Scholarship Board staff at their L.G.A and recent passport photograph”.

He said that all applications must be made online through the Board's website www.esselb.en.gov.ng and asked the affected candidates to call the helplines: 09044022730,09045085589,09054915257,07053900572 or visit the office at No 28 Okpara Avenue (old CCB building near EEDC) for application voucher.‎

Enugu State Scholarship Board – Promoting Education through scholarship

“Upload all the above required documents to Enugu State Scholarship Board Portal. Follow us on Facebook – ‘Enugu State Scholarship and Education Loans Board-ESSELB’ for more information on date of screening and presentation of cheques," Barr. Abonyi further said.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!

…Expresses satisfaction with work

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, on Tuesday, said that the ongoing rehabilitation of the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, will be completed on August 30, 2020 for the reopening of the airport.

Senator Sirika, who addressed newsmen shortly after inspecting the ongoing works at the airport, said that the rainy season was largely responsible for the delay in the completion of the runway rehabilitation.

The Minister inspected the project with the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, who represented Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Hamisu Rabiu Yadudu, the Enugu Airport Manager, Mrs. Cecilia Oguama, the Chairman, South East Governors’ Forum Airport Rehabilitation/Palliative Works Committee, Engr. Chris Okoye, the State Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, the Chairman, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Dr. Josef Umunnakwe Onoh, among others.

Sen. Sirika, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done, added that the Enugu airport runway, on completion, will be one of the best in the country.

He stated that the federal government “wanted to make a very quick intervention in this procurement, to ensure that this once dilapidated runway was completely rehabilitated for safety”, regretting that the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) hindered the progress of work, as “the workers took to their heels to ensure they remain safe”.

According to the Minister, “we are back to site and we have made tremendous progress. What is left is little. We have completed about 90-95 percent of the job (pavement wearing course of the runway). The perimeter fence and the road are ongoing and other works to ensure that this airport, including the air field lighting, is delivered for day and night operations.

“You know we are now in the rainy season and just like COVID-19, the rainy season is also a monster in construction or procurement of this nature. But the Contractor is doing extremely well likewise the Consultant. So, I am very happy at the rate at which they are going and I am very confident that this procurement will be delivered on the 30th of August 2020. This, of course, is with due consideration to the weather”.

Sen. Sirika used the opportunity to commend the South East Governors, “especially His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who has always been here and shown commitment and has done everything he said he would do”.

He reassured the public that the airport will be delivered to standard for reopening as scheduled.

NIKE LAKE RESORT HOTEL, ENUGU, UNDERGOES MASSIVE TRANSFORMATION

The administration of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State is presently carrying out massive transformation of one of the finest and most outstanding hotels in the entire South East geo-political zone, the Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu.

The newly inaugurated Board of Directors of Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, led by Dame (Barr.) Ugochi Madueke, through the intervention of the state government, has introduced far reaching reforms in the management of the hotel.

The board is also upgrading and overhauling facilities in the hotel in consonance with modern trends, to enhance its leading roles as a tourist attraction and centre for relaxation.

The ongoing interventions in the hotel include:

*Overhaul of the room furniture and sanitary wares (phase one).

*Laying of floor tiles in place of the existing rugs (phase one).

*Procurement of modern kitchen equipment to replace the outdated ones.

*Installation of CCTV Camera

*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.

*Massive renovation of the ‘Omenala’ Bar, adjacent to the lake view, with cultural crafts, et cetera, to depict the ambience the relaxation centre adores, among others.

It would be recalled that Governor Ugwuanyi, four months ago, inaugurated the seven-member Board of Directors and tasked them to work with the management of the hotel to restore its past glory.

During the inauguration, the governor described the hotel as “a flagship asset of the Enugu State Government, with beautiful and serene ambience complemented by a natural perennial lake” adding that it “is like no other and its capability for offering the comfort of home away from home, is without doubt”.

He disclosed that his administration, in its concerted effort to improve the infrastructure of the hotel, has invested a lot of resources in the restoration of power management system “and is currently implementing turnaround maintenance of the hotel water facility and plumbing works to return the hotel to full functionality”.

Gov. Ugwuanyi pointed out that his administration plans to commence a comprehensive but gradual rehabilitation of other infrastructure of the hotel to return the great legacy to profitability.

He therefore charged members of the Board to rise to the occasion and fulfill the expectations of the state government and people of the state regarding the hotel.

Other members of the Board are Barr. Francis Nnamani, Chijioke Jude Ugwu, Chris Ezema, Engr. Okechukwu Michael Igbonekwu, Mrs. Uche Onwuzu and HRH Igwe (Engr.) Chukwudi Ejeh.


Enugu State is in the hands of God! #amokelouis

Simplyleo:
But from the way some people have been beating chests, one will think each of the communities has a University Teaching Hospital.

Simplyleo:
Just commencing construction of Primary Health Centres?

I thought they had University Teaching Hospitals in each LGA.

…Warns that the virus is real, killing people

…Harps on compulsory use of face masks, others

The Enugu State Ad hoc Expert Medical Advisory Committee (EMAC) on de-escalation of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) transmission has advised the state government to put in place stricter enforcement measures that will help contain the spread of the virus in the state .

Briefing newsmen in Enugu on their findings so far, Prof. Emmanuel Ejim, who is the Chairman of the 12-man committee, recently constituted by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, harped on the urgent need for the enforcement of “compulsory wearing of face masks, observing of physical distancing and ensuring hand hygiene”.

The committee, which has a two-week duration to submit its report, was mandated to engage with leaders of various religious groups, market associations, professional associations, labour unions, National Union of Road Transport Workers Enugu State Chapter, Association of Tricycle Riders Transport Union, civil society groups, organized private sector and all other relevant stakeholders.

It was also mandated to “recommend urgent and effective measures for de-escalation of transmission of Coronavirus infection in Enugu State, with due regard to all extant Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols for containment of the spread of the COVID-19”.

During the press briefing, Prof. Ejim said that their findings revealed that the stakeholders they interfaced with acknowledged the existence of COVID-19 but expressed concerns that the commitment and capacity to enforce the necessary preventive measures “were all being undermined by several factors that we continue to unearth”.

He pointed out that “a key recommendation therefore, will be for the government to broaden and deepen the enforcement of the use of face masks amongst citizenry and penalize defaulters so as to drive home the importance of these key preventive measures”.

The Chairman who expressed worries that many people do not still believe that COVID-19 is real, disclosed that the stakeholders were of the opinion that “seeing is believing” and that the government should involve the services of the neighborhood watch groups and forest guards in enforcement of COVID-19 prevention advisories in the rural areas “where it seems very little has changed despite the escalation of the outbreak”.

While employing the media to cooperate with the government in creating more awareness that the pandemic is not a “scam”, Prof. Ejim stressed that “this is clearly an indication of a suboptimal risk communication and a challenge all of us must face head on, if we are to save our lives and that of those in our communities”.

According to him[b], “we therefore have evidence from stakeholders across the markets, transport sector, healthcare system, religious bodies and the security operatives to call on government to strongly consider putting in place stricter enforcement measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state”.[/b]

The chairman explained that chief among the measures is the universal use of breathable (cloth) face masks by all, stating that “this remains the top evidence-based intervention that demonstrably reduces the transmission of COVID-19; particularly when combined with strict social distancing and restriction of crowding”.

His words: "Relatedly, this explains clearly why public gatherings for worship and celebrations need to be curtailed in scale, number of attendees, frequency of occurrence and length of time. Reduction in all these variables with regards to public gatherings will limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

Additionally, elaborate burial ceremonies in an era of high rates of probable COVID-19 cases who may have passed on before a test result was done, puts the public at risk and therefore needs to be rethought"

Noting that the outbreak has continued to be a serious concern for all responsible citizens, Prof. Ejim consequently called on “our brothers and sisters to adhere to publicized preventive measures of social distancing, universal face mask use, hand hygiene practices and most importantly self isolating at home if “one” has lost his/her sense of smell/taste or if you have a fever”.

In his brief remark, the committee secretary, Dr. Chinemerem Dan Onwuliri, emphasized “the need for the people of the state to conduct their own personal risk assessment” to enable them regulate their daily public activities in order to reduce the spread of the viral disease.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!

In furtherance of his administration’s efforts in cushioning the effect of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic on residents of Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has granted tax relief and incentives to taxpayers in the state.

The governor’s decision was contained in a statement by the Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Prince Emeka Odo.

Odo noted that “The Enugu State Government has since the inception of the current administration, in May 2015, waived the payment of Personal Income Tax as well as Market Tax, for all traders in the major markets of the state”.

The Chairman added that the waivers “which are part of the administration’s pro-poor policies” are still in force and will be sustained till the end of the tenure.

Other COVID-19 tax relief and incentives approved by Gov. Ugwuanyi, according to Odo, are as follows: “The deadline for the submission of Form A for employees and Annual Returns in accordance with Section 41 (3) and 81 (1-3) of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) 2011 as amended for companies and institutions operating in Enugu State has been extended to 30th July, 2020.

“A waiver of penalty and interest charged for late remittance of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions is hereby granted from January to December 2020 for all sectors. A 50% discount on all assessed Capital Gains Tax (CGT) from now till December 2020. A 50% discount on all Personal Income Tax Assessment issued to owners of schools and hotels for Year 2020.

“A 50% discount on all assessed Land Use Charge payment for Year 2020. This discount will expire on 31st of December 2020. A waiver of penalty and interest on Land Use Charge for Years 2018 and 2019 once payment is made before December 2020”.

The Chairman stated that “all our esteemed taxpayers are encouraged to obtain their Enugu State Social Benefit Number (ESBN) as it remains the unique identity prerequisite for obtaining electronic Tax Clearance Certificate (e-TCC)”, stressing that “ESBN is free”.

He pointed out that “our liaison offices at Abuja and Lagos are open on a daily basis except weekends and public holidays for easier access to taxpayers” and went further to ask all taxpayers to “make their payments into any Commercial Bank with ENSG IGR Paydirect Platform”, warning: “You must not pay by cash to anyone”.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!

Consequent upon the recent spike in the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has approved the immediate constitution of an Ad Hoc Expert Medical Advisory Committee on urgent and effective measures for de-escalation of the pandemic in the state, as recommended by Enugu State Chapter of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, the committee will “engage with leaders of various Religious Groups, Market Associations, Professional Associations, Labour Unions, National Union of Road Transport Workers Enugu State Chapter, Association of Tricycle Riders Transport Union, Enugu State, Civil Society Groups, Organized Private Sector and all other relevant Stakeholders and recommend urgent and effective measures for de-escalation of transmission of Coronavirus infection in Enugu State, with due regard to all extant Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Protocols for containment of the spread of the Coronavirus infection (COVID-19)”.


The ad hoc committee, which has a Consultant Cardiologist and Professor of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Prof. Emmanuel Ejim, as Chairman, will also “take any other reasonable steps that may be incidental to the attainment of the objective above”


Other Members of the committee that has two weeks to submit its report are:

2. Rev. Can. Dr. Ifeanyi Onah -
Chief Consultant Plastic
Surgeon and Head,
Infectious Disease Unit,
National Orthopedic Hospital,
Enugu

3. Dr. Nneka Unaogu -
Consultant Psychiatrist/Head,
Research and Training
Federal Neuropsychiatric
Hospital, Enugu

4. Dr. Nnamdi Nwosu -
Consultant Respiratory
Physician, UNTH, Enugu

5. Dr. Joseph Enebe
Consultant Obstetrician and
Gynecologist, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital,
Parklane, Enugu

6. Dr. Obinna Anikwe
Consultant Urologist, University
of Nigeria Teaching Hospital
and Secretary, Enugu State Guild of Medical Directors

7. Dr. Obinna Nduaguba
Consultant Pediatrician, Enugu
State University Teaching
Hospital, Parklane, Enugu

8. Dr. Onyinye Chime -
Consultant Public Health
Physician, Enugu State
University Teaching Hospital,
Parklane, Enugu

9. Dr. Aneke Emmanuel
Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, University of
Nigeria Teaching Hospital and
Secretary, Nigerian Medical
Association, Enugu State
Chapter.

10. Dr. Chinemerem DanOnwuliri
Public Health Physician,
Department of Community
Medicine, University of Nigeria
Teaching Hospital, Enugu

11. Dr. Okafor Sunday -
Registrar, Public Health Physician
Department of Community
Medicine, University of Nigeria
Teaching Hospital,
Enugu/Ass. Secretary, Nigerian
Medical Association, Enugu
State Chapter

12. Dr. Emeka Onoh -
Public Health Physician,
Department of Community
Medicine, University of Nigeria
Teaching Hospital, Enugu

Enugu State is in the hands of God!

…Moves to turn around facilities at Oji-River General Hospital

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, in furtherance of his administration’s efforts to upgrade and rehabilitate health facilities across the state, on Friday, inspected the dilapidated facilities at the General Hospital Oji-River, which has a section designated as leprosy services settlement centre.

Gov. Ugwuanyi, who expressed dismay at the state of the facilities at the hospital, having been neglected for many decades, promised that his administration will, as a matter of urgency, carry out major upgrade and rehabilitation works at the health facility.

The General Hospital Oji-River, formerly known as Leprosy Mission Hospital, according to the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, who was among the dignitaries that received the governor on arrival, was established in 1954 by the then Church Missionary Society (CMS), now Anglican Church.

Dr. Agujiobi added that the management of a section of the hospital was taken over by the old Anambra State Government in 1977, then designated as Oji River Sub District Hospital, and now under the management of the Enugu State Government as General Hospital Oji-River.

Speaking further, Gov. Ugwuanyi pointed out that the outbreak of the Coronovirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has reset the world thinking about health, disclosing that the minimum his administration can do is to upgrade and rehabilitate health facilities in the state.

The governor, who also inspected the Agbalenyi/Enugu-Onitsha Expressway link road, newly reconstructed by his administration, reiterated the state government’s commitment to quality and affordable health care delivery in the state and assured the jubilant people of Oji River Local Government Area that work will soon commence on the hospital.

Stakeholders of Oji-River LGA who received the governor include the Member representing Oji-River Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Jeff Mbah, the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe, the Council Chairman, Hon. Franklin Udemezue, the acting State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cletus Akalusi, the immediate past Chairman of the Council, Hon. Harrison Okeke, former Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Hon. John Obidinma, Mrs. Joy Odike, traditional rulers, among others.


Enugu State is in the hands of God! ##

FROM ENUGU STATE POLICE COMMAND…

COVID-19 Containment Orders: Enugu Police move against violators

…Say all preventive measures still in force

*As CP warns that offenders will be arrested, prosecuted

The Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has expressed dismay at the spate of flagrant violation of the restriction orders issued by the federal and state governments as well as the guidelines for the containment of the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) as advised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other health establishments.

Consequently, the Command, through a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe Ekea, on behalf of the State Commissioner of Police, reminded residents of the State that “except where approved modifications exist, the stipulated restriction/containment orders are still in force”.

Reaffirming “its continued commitment to enforce the orders without fear or favour”, the Command listed the existing government directives as follows:

“*Border closure and inter-state transportation/travels ban, except for exempted essential goods and service providers;

“*Overnight curfew between 2200hrs – 0400hrs (10pm-4am), except for exempted essential service providers;

“*Suspension of all cultural and social gatherings, including marriage and burial ceremonies, masquerade festivals, drinking bars, night clubs, cinemas, gyms and all group sporting and recreational activities;

“*Closure of all educational institutions;

“*Closure of the Akwatta Section of Ogbete Main Market;

“*Markets to operate from 0800hrs to 1600hrs (8am-4pm), with the strict observance of all regulatory and preventive measures, including maintenance of social and/or physical distance, mandatory wearing of face masks by sellers/buyers, provision of hand washing facilities or sanitizer by shop owners/traders, etc;

“*Public religious places of worship to observe all the stipulated preventive guidelines during worships including, social and/or physical distancing, mandatory wearing of facemask, provision of hand washing facilities and/or sanitizer, each worship session to last for one (1) hour only, with worshippers not exceeding twenty (20) per session;

“*Restaurants and eateries to observe all the stipulated preventive protocol/guidelines of social and/or physical distancing, mandatory wearing of facemask, provision of hand washing facilities and/or sanitizer and no eat-in for customers – TAKEOUT ONLY;

“*Compulsory wearing of facemask in public places; and

“*Public transport operators rules on passengers’ conveyance in each instance remains:

a). Tricycle (Keke) – not more than two (2) passengers,

b). Commuter Buses – not more than two (2) passengers per seat,

c). City Cab – not more than three (3) passengers.”

The statement further stated that “the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman MCPSS, MCJ, MNIM, while enjoining residents to remain law-abiding and compliant with these orders, has warned that any person(s) found violating them will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly”.

“To this end, the Commissioner has warned and directed all Area Commanders, DPOs, Heads of Tactical/Operational Departments and Formations to redouble their efforts to strictly and professionally enforce the orders to the letter.

“Meanwhile, residents of the State have been called upon to take responsibility to stay safe, be vigilante and promptly call the Command’s emergency hotlines on 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 or 08098880172 for security complaints, reports and/or suggestions. They have also been enjoined to report any suspected case(s) of the COVID-19 infections to NCDC by calling its State or National emergency numbers on 08182555550 and 09022333833 or 080097000010 respectively”, it added.

Enugu State is in the hands of God! ##

For the first time in a long while, a Nigerian state is rethinking dividend of democracy and offering empowerment opportunities to those who truly need it, particularly the unemployed youths.

Of course, the youths constitute almost half of the Nigerian population and engaging them productively implies more productivity, positive impact on the gross domestic product (GDP), and most importantly, reduction in crime and restiveness as well as ensuring that they are ready for the new digital future

It is against this background that the Enugu State Government set up the Enugu Youth Empowerment Scheme (e-YES), an innovative initiative aimed at empowering youths living in the state with training in digital skills. As well, the forward-looking government invented e-YES in recognition of the place of technology and digitization, which are obviously the new currencies in the world today.

The scheme is an initiative of the Enugu SME Center, under the Enugu Human Capital Development Loan Program, and as it rolls out, thousands of youths are expected to be trained and empowered with digital skills in areas such as: Advertising, Digital Marketing, Internet Promotion, SMS Marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), PPC, and Analytics. Others skills in the scheme include: Mobile Advertising, Email Marketing and Content Marketing.

The scheme, according to the Enugu SME Center, is open to all Enugu State youth and jobseekers that have interest in acquiring digital skills. But the intrigue of the initiative is that the program is guaranteeing the participants training loans, certificates and jobs with private sector to repay the loans.


“Upon completion of the training, participants will be placed into jobs, and within an agreed number of months are obligated to pay back the cost of the training through their respective salaries. This way, they can not only contribute to the economic development of Enugu State and Nigeria at large”, but funds can be recycled to train other youths, the Enugu SME Center said.

Speaking on the initiative, which is part of his critical human development projects, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, executive governor, Enugu State, declared, “Our commitment in develop human capital and ensuring that businesses thrive is reflected in our World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking, which moved from 27th to 3rd”. In line with his principal, Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser, SME Development Head, Enugu SME Center, added that, “Human capital development is important in improving and enhancing the quality of life of the people as well as the private sector ecosystem”. Explaining the rationale for the training-for-jobs scheme , Chilo-Offiah said that they are high-income skills that would enable trained youths to thrive in today’s digital-first world, become innovative entrepreneurs and strategic valuable assets to Enugu State and the international community at large.

According to the Special Adviser/SME Development Head, Enugu SME Center, “Technology will continue to drive change in the workplace, and for one to be a game-changer, one must be able to use technology to solve everyday problems. With this initiative, the Enugu SME Centre is giving the youth an edge, starting now”.

However, to ensure the anticipated result, Enugu SME Center has engaged certified and experienced trainers with affiliation to the Digital Marketing Institute of Ireland; a globally recognized digital training body, to equip the youths with the gainful digital skills. One of the trainers is Wild Fusion Digital Centre, a Nigerian-based digital and technology company.


Speaking on their readiness to deliver quality, Abasiama Idaresit, CEO, Wild Fusion Digital Centre, noted that the outfit has an international certification and validation to deliver quality digital marketing training and job placement for the participants of the program.

“We have trained over 4,000 students since 2014, who are gainfully employed and delivering value to their employers”, Idaresit explained.

He stated that “participants will be provided jobs in the private sector and a;lso to provide service for MSMEs, Startups and other such businesses across Nigeria and the globe. Being that we live in a digital age, it is easy for someone to provide service for a company irrespective of geographical location and earn foreign exchange while still residing in Enugu state. This initiative will leverage this as well”.

The e-YES is on and offering youths opportunity to jumpstart careers in the digital world and technology, hence the Enugu State government through the Enugu SME Center is calling on youths from the state, who are desirous of empowerment, to take advantage of the scheme.

Jubilation in Awgu as Gov. Ugwuanyi directs rehabilitation, upgrade of health facilities

…Inspects School of Basic Midwifery, General Hospital Awgu

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, in furtherance of his administration’s intervention on health facilities across the state, on Tuesday, visited the School of Basic Midwifery Awgu and General Hospital Awgu on inspection of facilities amid jubilation from residents of the area.

The School of Basic Midwifery Awgu, according to the Principal, Theresa Agbo and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, was established in 1951 by the then Missionary and was taken over by the Ministry of Health in 1977 during the old Anambra State.

The school, according to the duo, lost its accreditation after 2004 academic session and regained it, 14 years after, in 2018, following sundry interventions by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, such as total overhaul of the facilities, provision of brand new coaster bus, basic ICT equipment and clinical demonstration materials.

They added that the governor has continually paid for the accommodation fees of the first and second set of students in the school (50 and 81 students respectively).

After inspecting the school and taking brief from the school management and Ministry of Health, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to further reposition the school, directed the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to immediately commence the process for the construction of hostel for the school and rehabilitation of its facilities including landscaping.

The governor made funds available for clearing of the premises and promised to install solar-powered light in the school.

Gov. Ugwuanyi who was received by jubilant indigenes of Awgu LGA, including their notable sons and daughters such as the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu, the Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs. Jane Eneh, the member representing Awgu South Constituency, Hon. Johnson Chukwuobasi, the Awgu Council Chairman, Hon. Pedro Nwankwo (represented by his deputy, Barr. Lotachukwu Ogbonna), the State Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Ogbonna, the LG Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Oke Udeh, and the two members of the State Executive Council (EXCO), Hon. Obi Carl Karma and Hon. Ugonna Ibe, among others, also inspected the General Hospital Awgu and expressed dissatisfaction with the facilities at the hospital.

The governor, consequently, promised to carry out major upgrade of facilities in the hospital to include construction of new structures as well as the access road.

Earlier in his speech, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Okechukwu, on behalf of the people of Awgu LGA, expressed profound gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration’s interventions in “restoring and bringing back this school, so dear to us, to its former glory”.

The parliamentarian who donated a transformer to the school in support of the state government’s efforts, pledged to provide the school’s library with functional books, and reassured the governor of their firm support and solidarity.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!

Consequent upon the recent concrete-form snap of the Pedestrian Bridge, at Gariki, Amaechi Awkunanaw, in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, which is under construction, the contractor handling the project, Barkindo Nigeria Ltd, has taken “absolute responsibility” for the unfortunate incident.

In a letter addressed to the Enugu State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, dated June 15, 2020 and signed by the Director of Projects, Chidiebere Mbachu, the contractor tendered “our unreserved apology to the people and government of Enugu State”.

Describing the incident as “very unfortunate”, the contractor who noted that “no casualty was recorded”, stated that “the snap of the formwork took us by surprise”

“We have been responsive and maintained standard operational practice, especially during concreting, in line with the standard guidelines and specifications of Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

“While reassuring you of our commitment towards completing the project as designed, we have put in place measures to mitigate any such occurrence in future.

“We will resume work accordingly as soon as we receive approval from Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, the contractor said.

Enugu State is in the hands of God! ##

Chief Willy Ezugwu is the Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and National Coordinator of the South East Revival Group (SERG), In this interview, he spoke on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s development strides in Enugu State among other issues.

Some people are accusing Governor Ugwuanyi of non-performance; what is your take on that?

Politicians are always politicians. So, anybody can say anything but the truth is that those who are saying that the governor is doing nothing are those who don’t go home, year in, year out. I can assure you of that. In fact, the governor is working more in his second term than even his first tenure unlike many of his colleagues who do not work in their second term. He wants to leave a legacy and write his name in gold. He is determined to reposition Enugu State.

Time and space may not allow me to tell you all the verifiable achievements of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration in the last one year of his second tenure. Of course, it was his works in the first tenure that gave the governor a landslide victory across the three senatorial districts.

It is said that governors don’t do much in their second tenure because they are not contesting in the next election. Ironically, in the last one year of his tenure, despite the COVID-19 challenges, Governor Ugwuanyi has given the ordinary people a taste of good governance in all its ramifications.

In his immediate response to the Coronavirus pandemic, Governor Ugwuanyi has not only given succour to many suffering people of the state, he has also rebuilt hospitals. To name a few hospital rehabilitation interventions, the governor gave a new face to General Hospital in Agbani, in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. Another is the recently rehabilitated former Udi District Hospital and Polly Clinic, Asata with new structures. He also upgraded them to General Hospitals.

The General Hospital in Nsukka has also been upgraded and fully equipped. There is a massive construction of another General Hospital in Enugu Ezike which was ordered by the governor. By the way, the Enugu Ezike General Hospital was built 62 years ago, in 1958. The governor
paid unscheduled visit to the General Hospital in Ogrute, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area recently to assess the state of the hospital and ordered massive rehabilitation of the aged hospital. Will you imagine that the hospital has not had electricity since 2008 because of huge bill, among other challenges? But the governor immediately directed the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to restore power to the hospital and also made funds available to the hospital management to enable it commence clearing of the premises and other immediate interventions.

These are verifiable hospital projects across the state by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration as part of its efforts in upgrading health facilities in the urban and rural areas to ensure quality and affordable healthcare delivery to the ordinary people. He is currently coing so much in the state’s health sector.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the governor quickly established a Multi-sectoral Rapid Response Team comprising representatives of relevant ministries, departments and agencies, with local and foreign bodies like the Nigerian Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in the team.

I’m aware that the governor immediately released N330, 000, 000.00 (Three Hundred and Thirty Million Naira) for strengthening the Coronavirus Disease Preparedness and Response in Enugu State, N150million of the cash dedicated to purchase of additional Ambulances and Incident vehicles, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), upgrade of State Infectious Diseases Isolation Centre; others are training of Health Workers; advocacy and public enlightenment. I am aware the governor set aside as much as N100million for unforeseen public health challenges. Is that not a proactive Governor? Since the first case of Coronavirus in Enugu State, the government has been carrying out decontamination and fumigation exercises in the whole state.

The state government released palliatives to several categories of individuals affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, including tricycle riders, taxi operators and the poor in worship places.

Despite the lockdown, there are massive road projects that have been delivered by the administration in his infrastructure transformation of the state. For instance, Oji River LGA of Enugu State, got a special link road built by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, the popular Agbalenyi/Enugu-Onitsha Expressway link road in Oji River Local Government Area. The Echara Road -Obechara Junction in the University town of Nsukka was completed to standard amid the pandemic.

The government is constructing the 76 Police Mobile Force Squadron Facility at Ekwegbe, in Igbo-Etiti LGA among numerous interventions in enhancing the security architecture of the state, to sustain its enviable status as one of the most peaceful and safest in the country.

The government also constructed access road to the 200-bed Igbo Ano Specialist Hospital (phase one) in Enugu North Senatorial District, to serve as facilities for the ESUT College of Medicine, which has been relocated to Nsukka, in compliance with the return of the institution to its original multi-campus purpose. The specialist hospital is located along Opi/Obollo-Afor federal expressway. There is also an unprecedented massive infrastructural rebirth in IMT Enugu.

With the picture you are painting, why are some saying he has not done enough?

No, no, no! If the governor is not working, I will tell you. He is working and any time he deviates from what he is currently doing, I will be the first to cry out. There have been governors before him, but some of them I quarreled with all through their tenure because they refused to work for the people who elected them. They were not taking care of the people.

I’m not the only one speaking about what the governor is doing. You know that recently, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunlusi, extolled the leadership qualities of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, describing him as a “wonderful” leader whose hospitality is second to none. He led a delegation to the Enugu Government House to deliver four modular motorised fumigators donated by him to the Enugu State government as part of his contributions to contain the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the country.

Like I said earlier, time will not permit me to tell you about the completion of the fixing of potholes, traffic lights, asphalting of Agbani dual carriageway from the Nigerian Police College, to Gariki in Enugu South Local Government Area; the 13km Abapka-Harmony Estate- Emene link road, the 13-kilometre Nike Lake Junction-Harmony Estate-Amorji Nike- Adoration Pilgrimage Centre–Orie Emene road, which cut across the thick forest of Umuchigbo community, in Enugu East Local Government Area. Father Mbaka described the completion of the Abakpa-Emene link as a miraculous road given by Governor Ugwuanyi because the road passed through a thick forest.

Despite the proactive measures taken by the governor, the number of COVID-19 positive cases are on the increase in the state. What do you think is the problem?

When you look at the number of cases, Enugu State is still low compared to some other states. And you must note that most of the positive cases are returnees from other states and that is one of the reasons the South East Revival Group advocated for a total blockade of interstate boundaries, using local security guards and a regional committee to assist the government. The government cannot do everything. To be fair to the Enugu State governor, he has been on the roads to personally monitor compliance to the curfew imposed by the Federal Government and to minimize interstate travelling. Most nights, the governor had been pictured on the roads along with other government functionaries trying to monitor the situation in the state.

Recently, we were informed that eleven new cases of Coronavirus disease in Enugu were people who entered the state illegally despite the presidential order on restriction of interstate movement and the state government’s closure of all boundaries and interstate transportation.

There is need for more hands to police the South East. It requires proper coordination cutting across the five states.

What is your assessment of the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the South East of Nigeria?

The South East is more challenged by threat of insecurity than the COVID-19. But I can tell you that most of the South East governors have done well in managing the disease and their actions may account to slow infection rate in the region.

Eastern states governors have individually set up active anti-Coronavirus committees or Task Force, saddled with the responsibility of awareness creation and information management under the supervision of health authorities in the state and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). But more can still be done because there is no central coordinating front to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

During a press conference by the South East Revival Group, you demanded for many things, including construction of barricades as a measure to curb COVID-19, and to launch a central body to coordinate both relief efforts and security amid the pandemic. Have the South East governors carried out any of your recommendations?

Yes, we advocated tougher security measures, particularly in view of the obvious invasion of the region by some suspected killer herders.

And because of the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19, we called on South East governors, to set up a central coordinating centre for the region to better manage the pandemic. The centre should be able to, among other things, coordinate information dissemination and such measures that are aimed at cushioning the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on both the people and businesses in the South during and after the disease with view to reduce the negative impact of Coronavirus spread prevention measures like the ongoing lockdown in the country.

This is because even a partial lockdown hurts businesses. We proposed that the centre, when established, should be able to plan post-COVID-19 measures the South East could adopt to reduce the effects of the pandemic on small and medium scale businesses, and also work out modalities for possible support to small businesses in the region for a period not less than five years to speed up economic growth in post-coronavirus South East.

We also recommend that the five governors of the South East establish a COVID-19 intervention fund by whatever name it may be called to also be coordinated by the centre.

The key essence of the centre is to have a central purse where individual sons and daughters of the region can donate cash, food and materials that could serve as palliative to the less privileged members of the society.

We advocated for a central committee to coordinate a pool of funds where Igbo sons and daughters with means, both at home and abroad, can donate fund to assist governments in the zone to overcome the Coronavirus pandemic.

We advocated for interstate border closure in compliance to Federal Government directive and we advised the five governors of the South East to immediately safeguard the region by closing all the interstate borders and build barricades to stop unauthorized vehicles from entering the state.

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Monday, gave a marching order for the total overhaul of the existing facilities in General Hospital Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area.

Gov. Ugwuanyi gave the order when he paid an unscheduled visit to the hospital to inspect the ongoing completion of the new structure as well as the state of the existing facilities.

The governor who met the member representing Nkanu East/West federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, the member representing Nkanu West in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu, the Council Chairman, Chief Nwabueze Nnamani, and the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, in the hospital, disclosed that his administration will deploy the essential materials and manpower to ensure the full operation of the facility in line with its resolve to upgrade health facilities in the state for the wellbeing of the people.

He also inspected the ongoing massive reconstruction of the Colliery Hospital Enugu and construction of new structures at the hospital, now designated as an Infectious Disease Isolation and Treatment Centre.

It would be recalled that his administration, last week, awarded multiple contracts for massive construction and rehabilitation of health facilities across the state, including seven (7) new Primary Health Care Centres in 7 LGAs, rehabilitation of 34 health facilities across the 17 LGAs, and upgrade and rehabilitation of General Hospital Ogrute, Enugu Ezike and Nsukka District Hospital, among others.

#Enugu #COVID-19 Update (14/06/2020)

The Enugu State Ministry of Health confirms 22 new cases of COVID-19 in the state since the last update which have (cases) been updated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Consequently, Enugu State has recorded 57 positive cases of COVID-19, 26 active cases, 26 discharged and 5 deaths. Of all these, 23 out of the 57 cases are health worker infections.

Please continue to endeavour to:

*Stay home when it is not absolutely necessary to go out.
*Wear a facemask/covering whenever you must go out.
*Keep a safe distance from other people at all times, which is social/physical distancing and avoid crowded places.
*Practice good respiratory hygiene (when coughing or sneezing)
*Clean surfaces with a 1 in 6 concentration of bleach and water
*Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds under running water as often as possible
*And when facilities for handwashing are unavailable, sanitize your hands as often as possible using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

When You do these, you protect me, and when I do these, I protect you.

If despite your efforts, however, you develop symptoms or know anyone who may have developed symptoms, please call the following numbers;

08182555550 or 0902233383 or the NCDC number 080097000010

Someone will speak with you and get your details.

Stay Safe!

Signed
Dr. Obi Emmanuel Ikechukwu
Commissioner for Health, Enugu State.

Enugu State is in the hands of God! ##