₦airaland Forum

Onyekachi John, a business man and nine others emerged winners over the weekend at the May monthly draw of the DiamondXtra season 11 reward scheme powered by Access Bank Plc.
 
Speaking shortly after receiving the N1 million prize cheque, John told newsmen that he had been a customer of Access Bank for years, adding that he never knew he would emerge winner someday.

According to him, “I feel so happy and so excited and did not even believe I would become a winner in the first place. All I had to do was to top my DiamondXtra Savings account which I started with N5000 before I constantly topped it with bigger amounts which as a result made me N1 million richer today.

“I want to say a big thank you to Access Bank as they are stronger and bigger now, I will also encourage other Nigerians to partake in this initiative because whatever they say they will do, they end up making their customers happy”.

According to the Head, Consumer Liability Products, Access Bank, Osita Ede, “The DiamondXtra reward scheme is open to new and existing customers and all you need to do is visit the nearest Access bank branch, open a DiamondXtra account and fund it with N5,000. The more multiples of N5,000 you save, the higher your chance of winning. The draws scheduled to hold across the six geopolitical zones this season reaffirms Access Bank’s commitment to financially empower more Nigerians,” concluded Osita.

Also speaking, Product Manager, DiamondXtra, Access Bank, Chukwuma Agu, noted that the inspiration behind this initiative is to encourage customers and Nigerians to save and also get rewarded for saving.

He said, “This is the 11th year of the DiamondXtra reward scheme and we have rewarded over 4,950 customers with N5.5 billion. DiamondXtra is bigger and better now which is why this edition is tagged “Bigger and Better” so we hope to have bigger wins and better the lives of our customers”.

DiamondXtra is an interest yielding hybrid account which allows deposit of both cash and third party cheques. Hybrid means a combination of both savings and current account features. The DiamondXtra reward scheme was launched in 2008 and has been running till date. 


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L – R : Chinelo Okwume, Client Service Manager, Access Bank Plc, Oshodi, Lagos; Onyekachi John, DiamondXtra N1million winner; and Chukwuma Ago, Product manager, DiamondXtra at the DiamondXtra cheque presentation ceremony held in Oshodi, Lagos recently.

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L – R : Iyabo Olumide-Olorunisola, Area Sales Manager; Bridget Barth-Ekeogu, Regional Sales Manager, all of Access Bank Plc, Lagos island;  Anayo Umeh, DiamondXtra Targeted Draw winner; and Esosa Biremo, Product Manager, DiamondXtra during the DiamondXtra cheque presentation ceremony held in Lagos island recently.

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L – R : Esosa Biremo, Product Manager, DiamondXtra ; Bridget Barth-Ekeogu, Regional Sales Manager all of Diamond Bank Plc; Taye Hassan, DiamondXtra Targeted Draw winner; and Iyabo Olumide-Olorunisola, Area Sales Manager, Access Bank Plc, Lagos islandduring the DiamondXtra cheque presentation ceremony held in Lagos island recently

Ugwuanyi inaugurates committees on public service reforms, good governance

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Wednesday inaugurated seven sectoral ad hoc committees that will review the programmes and activities of government in the past four years and make recommendations that will assist his administration to reposition the state’s public service for optimized service delivery and advancement of good governance in the state.

The constituted sectoral ad hoc committees, namely; education, health, public service, justice, water, security and chieftaincy/ community matters, have the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), UNN, Prof. James Ogbonna, Coordinator, Health Policy Research Group, UNN, Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, former Head of Service and Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Onyema Ocheoha, former State Attorney General, Chief Mrs. Justina Offia, SAN, Seasoned Water Engineer and former/pioneer MD of Anambra (now Enugu) State Water Corporation, Engr. Laz Mba, Retired Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ogbonna Onovo and former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Prof. Frank Asogwa, as chairmen, respectively.

Inaugurating the committees, Gov. Ugwuanyi stated that they were constituted in keeping with his re-emphasized promise, more recently in his second term inaugural address to reposition the Enugu State Public Service as well as the governance of the state for full actualization of his administration’s policy thrust and campaign promises for more positive impact on the living standard of the people.

The governor therefore disclosed that the committees will “review the structure and operations of Enugu State Public Service over the last four years; analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within the various sectors of governance; develop roadmap, templates, policies and systems that will support the government to consistently and optimally discharge its various sectoral mandates”.

Other terms of reference include making recommendations that would help his administration to “reposition government to improve transparency and coordination in its business process and strengthen responsiveness of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); ensure that the administration delivers on its electoral promises and social contract, key of which are employment generation, enhanced social services and good governance, rural development, security and justice; consider any other matter(s) which may be incidental or ancillary to the above stated tasks and make feasible recommendations thereon to the state government with a view to improving collaborative productivity and optimal delivery of desired services by the government”.

Stressing the importance of the exercise towards the full actualization of his administration’s sound vision for the people of Enugu State, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who announced that the committees’ secretariat will be at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, said he has decided to operate mostly from the venue and less from the Government House until its conclusion.

While appreciating members of the various committees for their acceptance to serve the state, the governor expressed confidence that they will deploy their wealth of experience, expertise and commitment to add value to the governance of the state.

Responding on behalf of other members of the committees, the Chairman of Public Service Committee, Prof. Onyema Ocheoha, expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for finding them worthy to serve the state and appreciated him for his dexterity in conducting the affairs of the state in his first term and the innovative approach his administration has adopted to advance good governance in the state.

Prof. Ocheoha told Gov. Ugwuanyi that members of the committees “equally appreciate the fact that our beloved Enugu State under your leadership is a progressive, innovative and self-correcting polity”, which he said “guided your setting up of these ad hoc committees”.

Prof. Ocheoha promised the governor that the committees will study the terms of reference and adopt a holistic approach to policy analysis and decision making in the discharge of their duties for optimal result, saying: “You have taken the right people to handle this important assignment”.

According to him, “Your Excellency, we assure you of our loyalty and dedication to the service of the government and entire populace of Enugu State. We shall endeavour, within the rather short period of four weeks granted us, to shoulder the heinous responsibilities of the mandate bestowed on us today, with due confidence and professionalism”.

Enugu State is truly in the hands of God. #amokelouis

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday informed the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal, sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state that the figures being bandied by the APC in the Akwa Ibom North-west Senatorial district election, Senator Godswill Akpabio were fake.

Akpabio, a petitioner who is challenging the victory of Senator Christopher Ekpenyong of the PDP, had claimed that he scored 61,329 votes in the election, but INEC says the figures were not from the commission.

Counsel to INEC, Robert Emukpoeruo told the court that Akpabio was parading a bogus result and there was no accreditation of voters at the unit he claimed to have voted.

“You did not apply for smart card reader and voters register reports because you know they do not support the bogus votes you parade for Essien Udim.”

The INEC lawyer also told the court how the embattled former governor visited war on the people of Essien Udim on the day of election. “I put it to you that you declared WARSAW on Essien Udim.”

During proceedings on Tuesday, June 15, he claimed he won the election, but it turned out from the evidence that one of the prosecution witness 17, Anietie Ekong did not perform a critical process required in any election, which is accreditation.
The respondent’s lawyer challenged the witness, letting him know if he was not accredited, it therefore, means that he did not vote.
“Election result is a function of accreditation which is done through voters register. If he did not go through the proper channel of accreditation, therefore the result he has bandied about was not authentic.
“To be declared a winner, your victory must have been actual votes of electorates after accreditation,” counsel to the 2nd respondent,” Solomon Umoh (SAN) said.
“Where there was no accreditation, you could not have valid votes,” Umoh (SAN) also said during his questioning session with Senator Akpabio.

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They call him the defender of democracy, others call him Waziri, most know him as Oloye.

These past few weeks have been a flurry of Saraki news, sneaking into our news feeds and popping up on our timelines. Pick up a newspaper or plug into twitter and you’ll be sure to find a mention of this Saraki man. However, if he is just a man, or just another politician…why all this noise, hasn’t he left?

There’s a lot about the man behind the chatter, but it looks like he doesn’t have to talk too much…

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On the 6th of June 2019, Dr. Bukola Saraki presided over the 8th Senate for the last time and took a graceful bow from the red chamber. Four years ago, Dr. Saraki upset permutations and predictions to edge out his former party, All Progressives Congress (APC) anointed candidate, Ahmed Lawan, for the coveted Senate President seat. That singular event, however, loomed large in the frosty account of his relationship with the APC, and his eventual exit from the party.

Different narratives with criticisms of Dr. Saraki’s leadership of the Senate were frequent and in most cases, they blamed him for the failing of the government. Fortunately, much of what happened in the executive-legislative relations in the last four years is nothing but pure political posturing.

Already, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the same fashion it employed in 2015 has anointed one of its senators to take charge of the 9th Senate. However, this time around, Dr. Saraki would not be part of the upper legislative chamber as he lost his reelection in the February 2019 National Assembly elections.

I have listened and read some of the commentaries on the Senate under the leadership of Dr. Saraki but sincerely, many can be easily dismissed as mere sentiments to rob the former Kwara state governor of the impressive strides recorded under him. In the past four years of his leadership of the Nigerian Senate, they have passed important bills and also made several important interventional policies and it’s surprising when some ignore this glaring facts and instead spread frivolities.

A detailed look at the books solve any confusion that deliberate falsehoods and spins created in the mind of ordinary Nigerians. To be blunt, Dr. Saraki stand tall and his legacy as the President of the Senate are too glaring to be twisted by small minds, who usually see everything from the prism of partisanship.

Nigerians, too often adjudge a man, not by his array of impacts but by the twist of his adversaries. But that playbook can hardly work in the instance of Dr. Saraki because his resounding impacts and legacy informed a range of critical changes in legislative functions and also supervised a Senate that made the most contributions, whether in term of bills or interventions. Since the return to democracy in 1999, the number of bills passed by the three previous Senate stood at 329.

But in four years of the 8th Senate under Saraki, the red chamber had passed 318 bills, most of which have direct bearing on Nigerians. Of course, Dr. Saraki early days as the Senate President was buoyed with challenges and needless distractions from his former party, APC, he, however, weathered the storm and ensured that the demands of his exalted office didn’t suffer.

While he was subjected to unwarranted witch-hunt and harassment– an unjust treatment never visited on any Senate President in the nation’s history, Dr. Saraki remained undaunted and kept to his mission of working for the ordinary Nigerians. While his persecution lasted at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCT) on trumped-up allegations, Dr. Saraki galvanized the Senate for the important task– focusing on legislations and interventions that have direct and meaningful impact on the ordinary citizens.

Even when armed security operatives invaded the National Assembly in 2018, Dr. Saraki was unshaken and that infamous event went on to be a showcase of the depth of acceptability of his leadership among his colleagues as well as members of the House of Representatives, who stood defiant to assert the independence of the legislature.

That explains why he was able to achieve so much with his colleagues in just four years, leaving a daunting benchmark for whoever succeeded him as the leader of the Senate in the 9th assembly. Under his leadership of the Senate, Dr. Saraki supervised a legislation that focused on touching matters that affects the day-to-day affairs of Nigerians. From economy to education, anti-corruption to health and so on, the imprint of Dr. Saraki-led Senate are too obvious to be ignored.

In fact, the 8th Senate under Dr. Saraki brought so many revolutionary changes that were never seen before in the upper legislative chamber. Over the years, Nigerians have sounded the need to be part of the national budget process and policy formulation. But it was Dr. Saraki that heeded the call when in 2016, he introduced public hearing in the process of formulating policy and national budget consideration. That initiative gave civil society organizations and other concerned Nigerians the ability to attend hearings on national budget and were able to make contributions before their passages.

This was never a practice under the previous leadership of the Senate and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, who apparently was moved, described the initiative as “a testament of the leadership and foresight of the Senate President (Saraki), and the commitment of the 8th Senate as a whole to ensure that the budget is passed transparently– with adequate feedback from the general public.”

But that is not all. Right from his time as Governor of Kwara state, Dr. Saraki always place much emphasis on youth developments and involving them in nation building. Definitely, Dr. Saraki demonstrated is interest in the youth. Not only did youth dominate his team, he was also the first Senate President to give youth the opportunity of spending a day with him and listening to them. In his valedictory speech, he cherished the moments he had with youth as “pleasant memories”, recalling that “my reading to an audience of small children inside my office, where — in the true spirit of Children’s Day — the kids themselves were the dignitaries.”

A crucial feature of Dr. Saraki everlasting impact on youth, called the #NotTooYoungToRule bill, was an unprecedented opportunity for youths by removing age barrier that have prevented them from aspiring for elected office. With the passage of the bill, the age limit for Nigerians seeking for the office of President was reduced to 35 from 40; age limit for governorship contestant is now 30 from 35, hence, brought about an unprecedented number of young contestants for the 2019 general election. That is a legacy!

Details of how Dr. Saraki led the Senate to resolve a protracted strike at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), which returned students to their classrooms after nearly two years at home, was solid, if not entirely glowing. While the intervention drew widespread commendation, I’m sure that students who received the gesture will forever cherished it and have one name stuck at the center of their hearts– Dr. Saraki.

Under the leadership of Dr. Saraki, the Senate passed laws and moved motions that directly benefits the public. While those interventions may be too many for this piece to contain, it will be a great disservice not to mention the resolution of the Senate which mandated the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) “to immediately abolish fixed charges on electricity consumption, and bulk marketing of villages and communities.” That legislative move relieved millions of Nigerians from unnecessary burden and exploitation.

Even more, Dr. Saraki-led Senate complimented the executive fight against corruption by exposing abuse of import duty waivers on rice and saving the country a fortune. This is aside the N25 billion saved for the country by detecting fraudulent activities in the implementation of TSA in 2015.

When all is said and done, one of the most important remarkable accomplishments of Dr. Saraki is how he channeled legislation to the fight against corruption. Notably, was the passage of the NFIU (Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit) Bill, which was a strategic and bold move to strengthened the fight against corruption by making the agency autonomous and also returned Nigeria to the EGMONT Group that had earlier suspended the country.

Shortly after the passage of the bill, Dr. Saraki stressed that the NFIU bill is “in-line with our (Senate) commitment to support the fight against corruption through legislation”, pointing out that the benefit of the “passage of the Conference Committee Report of the Bill (NFIU) is aimed at ensuring that we (Nigeria) comply with international best practices, so that we will be able to access the financial intelligence data of the EGMONT Group.” And as highlighted by Dr. Saraki, the NFIU bill is becoming a critical instrument to fight corruption, especially at the grassroots, as the Federal Government recently announced move to route allocations of local councils through their accounts and not the state governments, which is fraught with corruption allegations.

Primary healthcare got its major boost from the Senate. Under Dr. Saraki, the Senate legislated the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCFP) and in 2018, approved 55 billion naira to cater for healthcare in Nigeria. Similar gesture was extended to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as Senate allocated ten billion naira considering their dire situations and recently, passed a law for the establishment of a North East Development Commission (NEDC) to concentrate on their welfare and rebuilding process.

Though, security is the prerogative of the executive but the legislature, especially the Senate under Saraki has shown enormous commitment in ensuring it is resolved. From regular resolution on security-related issues to swift approval of funds for the purpose of buying ammunition, the Senate have demonstrated uncommon patriotism to consolidate the effort of the executive. Recently, the Senate passed the Police Reform Bill (2019) and the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Bill, in order to improve the service and security for Nigerians.

Conclusively, Dr. Saraki stood for democracy and guaranteed the independence of the legislature. Even though his stand drew a wedge between him and powerful forces, which eventually, played a role in his loss of the February National Assembly election, but when the account of how he ensured that the Senate, and by extension, the National Assembly, was not reduced to a rubber-stamp of the executive, history will be kind to him. As he bows, I salute Dr. Bukola Saraki for his uncommon bravery and the imprint he left in Nigeria government sphere.

Oke Umurhohwo is a Political Analyst and Strategist. He tweets via @OkeStalyf and can be reached via oke.umu@gmail.com

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Group condemns the planned reinstatement of the Suspended DG of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo over Corruption.

A pro Good Governance Group, Network for Good Governance Against Corruption has condemned the reinstatement of sacked Securities Exchange Commission DG Mounir Gwarzo by the National Industrial Court on the 30th of May.

The Group through a press statement by its Convener Comrade Idris Kado held that the allegations against the DG were too grave and indicts the anti corruption war of President Buhari’s administration.

Recall that Mounir Gwarzo was fired by former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun to allow for an unhindered investigation after he was accused of collecting severance package worth N104.85 million which clearly violates the civil service rules.


It is also pertinent to note that, The ICPC had filed five count charges accusing Gwarzo of receiving, between May and June 2015, the sum of N104,851,154.94 as severance benefit when he had yet to retire, resign or disengage from service; and also the sum of N10,983,488.88 as car grant” he was not entitled to.


In two of the five counts, ICPC accused Garuba, a former Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services of SEC, of conferring corrupt advantage on another public officer in the person of Gwarzo by approving the payments to the suspended SEC boss. 


The group acknowledges the judgement of the National Industrial Court which ruled that the former finance Minister lacked the power to sack the DG but insisted that the allegations of corruption were still disgraceful to the President Buhari’s administration which swore to rid the Nation’s institutions from corruption.

“It is a slap on the Integrity of the President’s anti corruption war that Munir Gwarzo who clearly violated the Civil Service rules and paid himself monies illegally is reinstated into office. President Buhari must intervene and uphold the sack of Munir Gwarzo” the statement read.

The group further called on President Buhari to deliver on his mandate to fight corruption and stop the reinstatement.

In the same vain, the group calls for the dismissal of Mr. Mounir Gwarzo from the Public Service of the Federal Government for holding the position of a Director in private companies. (Medusa Investment Limited and Outbound Investments Limited) while in service as the Director-General of SEC.


“Mr. Mounir Gwarzo breached PSR 344, PSR 030402 and Section 6 of the Investment and Securities Act 2007”.


“It is also an aberration that Mr. Mounir Gwarzo would use his privileged position as Director-General to influence the award of contracts to Outbound Investments Limited in view of the provisions of Sections 57 (12) (b) and 58(5) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.



“Mr. Gwarzo should be dismissed from the Public Service of the Federal Government, in line with PSR 030402 (in relation to the allegation on Golden Handshake), having breached paragraphs 313 and 316(4) of the Financial Regulations (Government Notice No. 291 of the 27th October, 2009) (engaging in extra budgetary expenditure without appropriate approval).”

“...as lovers of Good Governance, it is our expectation that President Buhari who has the power to sack the SEC DG, fires him pending the outcome of the investigation...” the statement concluded.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, has reiterated his second term inaugural speech’s stance for all critical players in local government areas to live in their respective domains to promote effective local administration and development, asking them to relocate to their communities.

Gov. Ugwuanyi spoke at the Government House, Enugu, when he met with all the public office holders in the local government areas, namely, the council chairmen and their deputies; the councilors; supervisors; administrators and members of the development centres, among others.

The governor, who thanked God for His blessings and a peaceful and successful transition, stated that the essence of the meeting was to charge public officers at the grassroots to rededicate themselves to their responsibility of rendering service to the people at the rural areas, in line with his administration’s rural development policy.

He noted that his administration was highly committed and determined to fulfill the promises it made to the people during the campaign, stressing that it is only when those who were elected and appointed at the grassroots reside there with those who elected them that government’s programmes will be fully actualized.

Gov. Ugwuanyi therefore asked them to immediately relocate from the city to their communities to develop their areas, urging them to “be available for our people”.

The governor disclosed that rural dwellers will be happy to live and identify with their public office holders as that will also reactivate the economy of their areas, which was one of the reasons for the establishment of the third tier of government.

It would be recalled that Gov. Ugwuanyi in his second term inaugural address promised that the next four years of his administration will witness massive deployment of resources to further engender development at the rural areas.

He enjoined the council chairmen, ward councilors and his executive assistants, among others “to immediately relocate to their various localities in order to promote rural economy and development”, saying: “We are also poised to review the ‘One Community One Project’ initiative to make it even better”.

Enugu State is truly in the hands of God! #amokelouis

Governor @jidesanwoolu explaining the First Executive Order on Refuse Dumping, Drainages, Public works, @followlastma officials to work till 11pm on 2 shifts ... etc .. #ForAGreaterLagos pic.twitter.com/SGGhGEttxy

— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) May 30, 2019

FLASH: Lagos Governor @jidesanwoolu arrives Lagos House, Ikeja ... receives warm welcome from Staff and workers of the Governor’s Office ... #ForAGreaterLagos https:///GCwyiJygWs


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FLASH: Lagos Governor @jidesanwoolu arrives Lagos House, Ikeja ... receives warm welcome from Staff and workers of the Governor’s Office ... #ForAGreaterLagos https:///GCwyiJygWs


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FLASH: Lagos Governor @jidesanwoolu arrives Lagos House, Ikeja ... receives warm welcome from Staff and workers of the Governor’s Office ... #ForAGreaterLagos pic.twitter.com/GCwyiJygWs

— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) May 30, 2019

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The wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi , has stressed the need for proper care of the vulnerable groups in the society, especially the children.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi who made the case for the children during the inauguration of a home – “Oasis of Hope for the Needy”- established by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration to care for the needy especially girls with unwanted pregnancy and children outside wedlock, also stressed the need for mothers to live up to their responsibilities to ensure proper upbringing of children.

Her words: "We know that things are very difficult, but some of us mothers fail to live up to our responsibilities. In the morning, we move out and come late without knowing what our children do and the company they keep".

She urged the operators of the home to empower the inmates through skills acquisition, irrespective of their duration of stay in the home, saying: "It is better to teach somebody how to fish instead of giving the person fish".

In his remark, the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for the initiative to establish the home, describing it as one of the numerous people-oriented programmes of his administration since he assumed office in 2015.

Archbishop Chukwuma maintained that "Gov. Ugwuanyi has done very well by passing the Child Rights Act into law” disclosing: “During the previous administrations, we tried to pass the bill into law but it was not realized. When Ugwuanyi came in, he sent the bill to the House of Assembly as Executive bill and saw that it was passed into law".

Speaking further on the governor’s contributions to the wellbeing of the children and vulnerable, the cleric said: "Your husband, our Governor, has empowered the committee on adoption in Enugu State and that is why we succeeded in stopping baby factory in the state. As I speak with you people today, there is no baby factory in Enugu State courtesy of Gov. Ugwuanyi".

He described the establishment of the home as another milestone aimed at rehabilitating the vulnerable people in the state, adding that as the name of the home indicates, it will go a long way in curbing the ordeals of helpless groups in the society.

The Archbishop therefore, urged girls who are being molested and exploited to avail themselves of the edifice for proper care, protection, rehabilitation and re-integration into the society.

In their separate speeches, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Fintan Ekochin and that of Gender Affairs and Social Development, Princess Peace Nnaji extolled Gov. Ugwuanyi and his wife for establishing the home and upgrading the Uwani Cottage Hospital, Enugu, where the home is located, to a general hospital.

Also speaking, the Chairman Enugu South Local Government, Hon. Sunday Ugwu, expressed delight with the establishment of the home saying that it has added more value to the governor’s laudable efforts towards improving the wellbeing of the people of the state.

"Our governor since he assumed office has been doing a lot for my local government and with the inauguration of the centre, he has given hope to the hopeless", he said.

Enugu State is truly in the hands of God! #amokelouis



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…Says God is in control of Ugwuanyi’s second term

The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, has expressed gratitude to God for the peace, unity and good governance being enjoyed in Enugu State under the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Archbishop Chukwuma who maintained that “no state in Nigeria is as peaceful as Enugu State”, also thanked God for the peaceful general election in the state and successful first term of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, declaring that God is in control of his second term.

The Archbishop spoke at the Government House, Enugu, on Sunday during the inter-denominational Christian service organized by the state government as part of the activities marking the 2nd term inauguration of Gov. Ugwuanyi and his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo.

Describing the event as a service of transformation, Archbishop Chukwuma stated that the entire Church in the state gathered on the last Sunday of the first term of the present administration to not only thank God for its successful end, but to also offer prayers and hand over the governor’s 2nd term into the hands of God.

The cleric, who expressed delight at the choice of Government House as venue of the event, commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his first term’s outstanding performance and advised him to remain faithful to God and committed to his resolve to render more selfless service to the people of the state.

He added that the governor is a peaceful man who has reconciled leaders in the state and taught politicians how to forgive one another.

“Your Excellency, you have done well in your first term, most especially in infrastructural development. A lot is ahead of you. You have kept your word; Enugu State has continued to pay salaries consistently. You have employed more workers than your predecessors. We are glad that work is going on at the Enugu International Conference Centre abandoned in the past. This shows that you are a silent achiever who believes in continuity of good governance”.

The Archbishop equally lauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for his swift intervention in averting the move to downgrade the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, calling on the South East governors to put more efforts to safeguard the airport.

Other highlights of the inter-denominational service, which was graced by the governor’s wife, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, his deputy; Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi; the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Priscilla Emehelu; President, Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice George Nnamani; former Governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; Senator Chukwuka Utazi; Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi; PDP State Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani; State Commissioner of Police, Sulieman Balarabe; Archbishop of Enugu Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Christopher Ede; Bishop Godwin Madu of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) among others, were Bible readings, praise worship and intercessory prayers for the Church, the Nation, the poor, the governor and security of the state and country.

Enugu State is truly in the hands of God! #amokelouis