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Tag: Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

  • 2023: Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi loses senatorial election

    2023: Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi loses senatorial election

    The Enugu state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who contested the Enugu North Senatorial zone under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has lost to the Candidate of Labour Party.

    Mr. Okey Ezea of the Labour Party has been declared winner of the Senatorial election held in Enugu North Senatorial zone on Saturday.

    Ezea defeated Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to emerge winner of Enugu North Senatorial Zone.

    The result of the election was announced by the returning officer, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ubaka, early Monday morning.

    He said Ezea polled 104, 492 votes while Ugwuanyi of the PDP garnered 46, 948 votes, the APC candidate, Eze Simon came third with 6,816 votes.

    Ugwuanyi joins Croos River’s Ayade as sitting governor who lost senatorial elections in the country.

  • Gov. Ugwuanyi inspects newly-built asphalt plant in Enugu

    Gov. Ugwuanyi inspects newly-built asphalt plant in Enugu

    Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Saturday inspected the newly-built Asphalt Plant at Emene, Enugu, by an indigenous construction company, Eketeson Resources International Limited.

    Ugwuanyi commended the resilient spirit of indigenes of the state in excelling in their various business endeavours nationally and internationally, in spite of the challenges confronting the country.

    He stressed that: “Enugu indigenes have shown resilience in the face of the nation’s economic challenges.”

    The governor, however, thanked the Managing Director of the company, Chief Donald Ekete, for the bold initiative of investing in the state, describing the asphalt plant as a great project.

    Ugwuanyi, who attributed the existing peace and security in Enugu State to God’s kindness and mercy, beseeched Him (God) to give more indigenes of the state the will to invest and open more business ventures.

    He stated that the Eketeson asphalt plant would be a reference point in the next 50 years.

    The governor also prayed that the company would grow from strength to strength and provide employment opportunities for more people of Enugu State.

    He, therefore, used the opportunity to appeal to other indigenes of Enugu to come home and invest, stressing that God is in charge of the affairs of the state.

    Welcoming Ugwuanyi earlier, Ekete described the governor’s presence as a great honour and a demonstration of his commitment to investment and business growth in Enugu.

    Ekete disclosed that the plant was the latest version in the world.

    The Managing Director further explained that the company’s plant produced 120 to 150 tons per hour (TPH) and had the capacity to do any mixed design for its clients.

    “It is only RCC and Julius Berger that have this kind of asphalt plant in Nigeria.”

    He said that the project had a minimum capacity of 100 workers and other inherent benefits for the people of the state and the government.

    Ekete, however, expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Enugu State, especially the opportunity given to the company to actualise the landmark project.

    Yhe traditional ruler of Agunese Mmaku in Awgu Local Government Area, Igwe Cyprian Nevobasi, applauded Mr Ekete for the milestone achievement.

    He appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for providing peace and security in Enugu which had made it possible for the siting of the plant in the state.

  • Insecurity: Ugwuanyi commends Buhari’s commitment, flags off “Exercise Golden Dawn 2“

    Insecurity: Ugwuanyi commends Buhari’s commitment, flags off “Exercise Golden Dawn 2“

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Wednesday, praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his unrelenting commitment to the security of lives and property of Nigerians despite obvious challenges.

    Ugwuanyi gave the commendation in Enugu while flagging off “Exercise Golden Dawn 2“, a training exercise hosted by the Nigerian Army under the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of its 82 Division.

    “In spite of the numerous challenges, President Buhari has been relentless in tackling security challenges in the country and ensuring the safety of lives and property.

    “I must also commend him as the Commander-in-Chief for approving this training exercise meant to checkmate crime and criminality in its entirety,” said the governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya.

    He said that the training exercise was coming at an appropriate period as crime rate usually spiked during the yuletide season.

    Ugwuanyi also thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya for approving the hosting of the exercise.

    The governor assured the Nigerian Army of his administration’s commitment to internal security operations aimed at stemming criminality.

    “We want to assure you of our commitment to partner with the Nigerian Army in this regard,” he said.

    Earlier, General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Umar Musa, said that Exercise Golden Dawn 2 was in line with the Nigerian Army training directive for the year and it would involve troops, units and formations of the Division.

    Musa, who said that the exercise would run from Oct. 14 to Jan. 3, 2023, noted that it would be conducted alongside sister services, paramilitary and other security agencies within South-East and other areas of the Division’s AOR.

    He said: “The exercise, aimed at checkmating crime such as cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other sundry criminality within the South-East, is geared at protecting lives and property during and after the yuletide season.

    “It is also meant to enhance troops’ level of professionalism and preparedness in curbing security challenges within the Division’s AOR.

    “The exercise will involve the assessment of the effective application of the Nigerian Army Code of Conduct as well as adherence to Rules of Engagement (ROE) in line with international best practices and Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC).”

    The GOC solicited the understanding and cooperation of law abiding citizens and advised them to go about their lawful businesses during the period of the exercise.

    He charged the troops participating in the exercise to ensure utmost professionalism by protecting the human rights of law abiding citizens, as well as sticking to the rules of engagement.

  • 2023: Enugu teachers express delights in Gov. Ugwuanyi’s achievements

    2023: Enugu teachers express delights in Gov. Ugwuanyi’s achievements

    Enugu teachers under the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB) have expressed delights in the achievement of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu of State, promising to reward him with their voters in the 2023 general elections for his “good work”.

    They made the pledge when they converged on the Government House, Enugu, to celebrate and appreciate Gov. Ugwuanyi for the “exceptional attention” his administration paid to their wellbeing and education sector.

    They stressed that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration had been regular in the payment of their salaries and had carried out various reforms in education that repositioned the sector and earned Enugu State laurels in the country and beyond.

    The teachers expressed delight at the governor’s achievements in the education and other sectors across the state, notwithstanding the state’s lean resources and the challenges of the country since he assumed office.

    They, therefore, passed a vote of confidence in him and assured of their support and votes at the polls to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly in 2023.

    The teachers, led by the new Chairman of the PPSMB, Dr Favour Ugwuanyi, told the governor that they were behind the choice of Mr Peter Mbah as the governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2023 general elections.

    They gave the assurance of voting for Mbah, his running mate, Ifeanyi Ossai and all other PDP candidates in the state.

    Appreciating Ugwuanyi for reconstituting the PPSMB and bringing in intellectuals with proven track records, the principals and teachers disclosed that the positive impact was already being witnessed in the state’s education sector.

    The Chairman, Enugu State Association of Nigerian Conference of Principals of Schools (ANCOPS), Mr Robert Okolie, maintained that Ugwuanyi’s investment in education made the state come first in WAEC 2021in Nigeria.

    The ANCOPS chairman thanked him for his commitment to quality education and the teachers’ wellbeing.

    He said: “We wish you good luck and we are assuring you that all the candidates of the PDP are winners already.

    “They should go and prepare for their electoral victory celebrations.”

    The PPSMB Head of Department (HOD), Central Registry, Mrs Joy Agbara, stated that the governor’s good works in the education sector were enormous.

    She pointed out that they included conversion of 1,000 volunteer teachers to permanent staff, payment of inherited promotion arrears, recruitment of 1,000 teachers.

    Others according her, are renovation and construction of classroom blocks, provision of modern learning tools such as computers, laboratory equipment as well as instructional materials.

    “We have never had it this good. That is part of the secret of what you are seeing today.

    If you look at our schools, there was a time that if you entered our schools, the environment was nothing to write home about but now the environment is friendly for teaching and learning.

    “Our students came out with good grades in JAMB and WAEC and they are ICT-compliant, among other achievements.

    “We said we must come because there is nothing as urgent as showing gratitude. An act of ingratitude is worse than a traitor’s sword. His Excellency, we say thank you.”

    Endorsing their stance, the PPSMB chairman informed Gov. Ugwuanyi that the joy on the faces of the principals and teachers was borne out of their conviction that the governor had done so well for them.

    She commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for setting an unprecedented national record in training her, 55 directors and Permanent Secretaries at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) Jos, stressing that no state in Nigeria had done so.

    She pointed out that the landmark achievements the Board had recorded were because of the governor’s support and the opportunity he gave them to excel.

    Reaffirming the teachers’ support for the governor’s senatorial bid and that of other PDP candidates, Mrs. Ugwuanyi stressed: “We will do it just as we have always done before.

    “We want to start by going for a thanksgiving on your behalf in the six educational zones and it will be called ‘Teachers Thanksgiving’ on your behalf.

    After that, we will go back to our various schools and kick-off what we call School-to-School Voters Education.”

  • Gov. Ugwuanyi inaugurates newly-constituted Post-Primary School Management Board

    Gov. Ugwuanyi inaugurates newly-constituted Post-Primary School Management Board

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Friday inaugurated the newly reconstituted Enugu State Post-Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB) at the Government House, Enugu.

    Ugwuanyi also swore in Oliver Enete as his Special Adviser and Remigius Eze as a Permanent Secretary.

    Inaugurating the board, Ugwuanyi named Favour Ugwuanyi as Chairman of the Board with Ugochukwu Eneze and Chukwuma Okenwa as members.

    The governor also named Prof. Rose Onah and Mrs Agatha Ukah as Ex-officio members and the newly sworn in Permanent Secretary, Remigius Eze, as Secretary of the Board.

    Gov. Ugwuanyi explained that the PPSMB was reconstituted pursuant to Sections 4 and 9 of the Enugu State Post-Primary Schools Management Board Law, Cap. 67, Laws of Enugu State 2004, following the expiration of the previous Board by effluxion of time.

    According to the governor, the Board is saddled with the responsibility of managing and controlling all post-primary schools and institutions, being state schools within the context of the Education Law.

    He added that “the centrality of this mandate to the development of our future human resources underscores the imperative of appointing persons with sound educational training, diverse experience, character and competence into the Board”.

    He recalled that Enugu State was recently ranked first in pass rating of 93.9 per cent among the public secondary schools in Nigeria and second best-performing state in the country that sat for the WAEC examination in 2021.

    Gov. Ugwuanyi said: “These feats and more are testament to the quantum of investment the state has made in the infrastructure, human resources and supervision of the state post-primary schools system.”

    Congratulating the new members of the PPSMB on their appointment and inauguration, the governor told them that their track records evidently recommended them for the strategic assignment.

    He enjoined them to ensure a sustainable improvement in the quality of teaching and learning in the state post-primary schools through staff optimisation, development, motivation, discipline and effective supervision of the schools under the Board.

    Gov. Ugwuanyi therefore charged the new Board to sustain the performance rating and strive to improve on it.

    “I wish you well in your new assignment, expectant that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by the government and the good people of Enugu State.”

    Responding, the Chairman of the PPSMB, Favour Ugwuanyi, appreciated the governor for finding them worthy to serve on the Board and promised the governor that they would take the PPSMB from where they met it to a higher level.

  • Autonomous communities: Ugwuanyi inaugurates committee

    Autonomous communities: Ugwuanyi inaugurates committee

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Tuesday, inaugurated a committee on the creation of autonomous communities in the state, chaired by Prof. Felix Asogwa.

    Inaugurating the committee, Ugwuanyi said that the decision, which had the approval of the State Executive Council (EXCO), was in response to the recurring demands from towns and villages across the state.

    Ugwuanyi disclosed that the committee’s terms of reference are “to consider requests for creation of autonomous committees as well as to establish the genuineness of such requests.”

    This, include having regard to all circumstances related thereto, including viability, cultural affinity, peace and security of the areas concerned; and to make recommendations to the state government.

    Other terms of reference for the committee, according to the governor, were “to consider and review Traditional Rulership issues as they relate to appointment, selection, or election in the proposed autonomous communities.

    “To consider any other matters, make findings and recommendations that are reasonably incidental to the attainment of the objectives.”

    The governor said that Dr Eric Oluedo, MrAnayo Enechukwu, Prof. Ngozi Ejionueme, Prof. Sam Ugwu, Prof. Ikenna Omeje and Mrs. Josephine Onyia as members of the committee, while Mrs   Josephine sOnyia would serve as the secretary.

    Ugwuanyi described members of the committee as distinguished intellectuals and seasoned technocrats with enviable track records of experience, character, capacity and competency.

    He said: “The government and the good people of Enugu State repose so much trust in you and you represent our best chance of getting this project right.”

    Congratulating them on their selection for the landmark assignment, the governor further said their decisions would be used by the state government.

    “I therefore urge you to hit the ground running as the outcome of your assignment, guided by the eligibility criteria, shall be employed by the state government.

    ”This is in addressing the yearnings of our people before the end of this administration,” he said.

    The governor, however, enjoined communities desirous of getting autonomy to avail themselves of the opportunity presented by the formation of the committee.

    “In the course of time, Enugu State Government has been inundated with requests for creation of new autonomous communities from all nooks and crannies of the state.

    “This has continued unabated, regardless of our past efforts in approving new autonomous communities in some compelling circumstances.

    “The right of kindred units/villages to seek community autonomy is an inalienable one.

    ”The autonomous community plays pivotal role as first-level administrative division as well as nucleus for development and security service provision,” the governor said.

  • Enugu state governor swears in Awuka as Special Adviser

    Enugu state governor swears in Awuka as Special Adviser

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Monday, swore in Mr Kingsley Awuka, as his Special Adviser.

    Newsmen reports that Awuka, who is a lawyer, hailed from Ozalla Community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state.

    The oath of office was administered by the state’s Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Victor Emeribe.

    Speaking shortly after he was sworn in, Awuka lauded Ugwuanyi saying, “this is a great honour and privilege accorded to the people of my community.”

    Awuka described Ugwuanyi as “a miracle worker, jinx breaker and a comforter of the hopeless,” adding, “you have turned the history of our generation from this day to joy.

    ”The Ozalla community will never in her history joke with what you have done to her this day.”

    Awuka promised sustained support to Ugwuanyi’s administration, saying, ”we will ensure that you finish stronger.”

    He lauded the governor for attracting the Federal Polytechnic Ohodo, adding: “We also thank you for some developmental projects you have extended to us.

    “First and foremost, under your administration we have a federal polytechnic that is just a stone throw from a community that is not different from Ozalla.

    “We equally have a brother , Prof. Simon Uchenna, who for the first time in the history of Igbo-Omaba community has assumed the position of the Secretary to the Enugu State Government.

    “God will bless you, and continue to sustain you,” Awuka said.

    He, therefore, on behalf of the people of Ozalla community, reassured Ugwuanyi of their unflinching solidarity and support for his senatorial ambition..

  • 2023: PDP stakeholders lauds Ugwuanyi for zoning governorship ticket to Enugu East

    2023: PDP stakeholders lauds Ugwuanyi for zoning governorship ticket to Enugu East

    PDP stakeholders in Enugu East Senatorial District on Thursday lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for keeping with the rotational zoning arrangement in the state.

    They stated this when some people of the zone led by the PDP governorship candidate Mr Peter Mbah, paid a special ‘Thank-you’ visit to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the Government House, Enugu.

    The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Edward Ubosi, the PDP State Chairman, Mr Augustine Nnamani and members of the National Assembly from the state were part of the delegation.

    Others were the PDP Zonal Chairman, Enugu East Senatorial District, Nnamdi Nwafor and traditional rulers from the area.

    They said they were in the Government House to thank the governor for acceding to their yearning that the governorship ticket in 2023 be zoned to Enugu East Senatorial District.

    They also thanked Ugwuanyi for the choice of Mbah as the PDP governorship candidate, stressing that the governor was a promise keeper.

    Delivering their message of gratitude, Nwafor disclosed that their visit was to solely thank the governor for Mbah’s emergence.

    Nwafor recalled that the people of Enugu East Senatorial District, including the clergy and traditional rulers, had on June 17, 2021 converged on Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, for the Oganiru Enugu East Senatorial District Rally.

    He said they had appealed to Ugwuanyi to ensure that the rotational zoning arrangement of the governorship position, which favoured their zone,  be adhered to.

    He recalled Ugwuanyi promised them that justice, equity and fairness would prevail in the fullness of time.

    Nwafor said the governor’s promise was made manifest on May 25 when Mbah was duly elected as the governorship candidate of the PDP.

    Expressing gratitude also to the governor, the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Ben Nwoye, thanked the governor for answering the call of the people of Enugu East Senatorial District.

    He said that he was delighted that all the major political parties in the state had zoned their governorship tickets to Enugu East Senatorial District, ahead of the 2023 general polls.

    Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi , who expressed great delight at the kind words, solidarity and gratitude by the elated people of Enugu East Senatorial District, said: “All I have done is to provide the leadership needed at this point in our history.

    “This is to protect that cherished political culture and which, in reality, birthed my own political opportunity as well as that of my predecessors in office.

    “The beauty of fair rotation of political offices is that both the strong and the weak will have their turn.

    I, therefore, enjoin all those in whose hands history and providence may entrust the responsibility of dispensation of political justice in this state in future, to do so without fear or favour, for what is good for the goose is also good for the gander,” he said.

    The governor expressed implicit confidence that Mbah, “whom we have placed in the hands of God fits the bill”.

    He urged the people to pray and rally round him to deepen the ongoing consultations ahead of formal electioneering campaigns.

  • 2023: Gov. Ifeanyi’s aide organises Inter-Party Sports Festival

    Special Assistant to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu on Inter-Party Affairs, Mr Matthias Madus, has organised an Inter-Party Youths Sports Festival (IYSF) among political parties in the South-East in a bid to end electoral violence in the region.

    Madus said the gesture was to unite youths from different political parties in the South-East in love and understanding.

    He disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Enugu.

    According to him, he said, this would reduce the rising insecurity, brutality and violence among party faithful and loyalists during elections, adding that major people who perpetrated these crimes were youths.

    He said that IYSF would hold between Aug. 1 and 10, with football matches between youths of the various political parties and other special attractions such as music hunts and beauty pageants, to promote peace.

    “So, the organising sports festival of this nature among them will change their understanding and perception about politics.

    “Rather than seeing politics as do-or-die affair, we hope to change their orientation and reduce electoral crimes during elections.

    “It will help to build people’s confidence in our politics, bridge gaps and deepens our democracy.

    “I will tell the young artistes to use their songs to discourage electoral violence while ladies will use their beauty through beauty pageant (Miss Political) to promote peace,” Madus said.

    According  to him, IYSF will serve as a tool to ignite the minds of the youth to love and be peaceful as these are key to political developments.

    He added that the sports festival would also restore inter-party broken relationships, and encourage political participation among the youth.

    This, he noted, was in line with Gov. Ugwuanyi’s effort to ensure that people enjoyed peace and tranquillity in the state.

    “Therefore, I will use the event to educate party supporters on need to concentrate their energies in loving and promoting their parties and their manifestoes than criticising and condemning others.

    “So far, I have been in consultation with political parties and many of them have showed willingness to participate, saying it will take youths to the right direction,” he said.

    He, however, said that there would be a registration fee of N5,000 by participating party teams and donations from well-meaning Nigerians.

    Madus, therefore, appealed to individuals, organisations and governments for financial support to help in the quest to stop electoral violence in the country.

  • COAS commends Gov. Ugwuanyi’s support to security agencies

    COAS commends Gov. Ugwuanyi’s support to security agencies

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, has commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his administration’s support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies in the state.
    This was disclosed in a message, conveyed by the new Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command, Enugu, Air Vice Marshal I.O. Daramola, when he paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday.
    Daramola was at the Government House, Enugu, to formally inform Gov. Ugwuanyi of his assumption of office as the Air Officer Commanding, (AOC) Ground Training Command, Enugu.
    The AOC reassured the governor of its commitment to the security and development of Enugu State.
    Daramola expressed satisfaction with the supportive role of Ugwuanyi in ensuring internal security in Enugu State and beyond.
    According to him, it is this support that has ensured that Enugu has remained the most peaceful state in the South East geo-political zone.
    Daramola said, “That goes with the fact that the numerous legacy infrastructure projects you have put in place, especially the roads within Enugu and in the rural areas are part of those things that ensured the state remains secure”.
    Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi welcomed the new Air Vice Marshal to Enugu State. Stating that his administration’s partnership with the NAF in the state remained cordial.
    The governor noted that the NAF had always played a major role in the security architecture of Enugu State. He also reassured him that the state government would continue to collaborate with NAF. Alongside other security agencies to effectively discharge their duties.