The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, has expressed delight at the commitment of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration to entrenching peace and good governance in Enugu State as well as ensuring that infrastructure is spread across the state, through its rural development policy.
Bishop Onah, who spoke during a thanksgiving Mass at St. Theresa’s Cathedral Nsukka, organized by a support group for Gov. Ugwuanyi, Gburugburu Support Group (GSG), for his victory at the polls, described the governor’s reelection as “a prayer answered.”
A service of prayer and thanksgiving was also organised by the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Enugu, for Governor Ugwuanyi’s landslide victory at the last governorship election and for the peace and security in the state.
The service was held at Wesley Cathedral, Uwani, Enugu and had in attendance the Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Archbishop of Enugu, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Barr. Christopher Ede, the Presbyter, Ngwo Circuit, Very Rev. Louis Ali and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi.
Also, an international organization that provides free services to the people, especially in the areas of health and education, Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO), has applauded Governor Ugwuanyi for enhancing business activities in the state through the provision of the needed peace and security.
Speaking through its head of programmes, Regina Afiono, when she led members of the team to the Government House on a courtesy call, the body added that the peaceful atmosphere in Enugu State and its secure environment informed the choice of the state as a place of assignment.
Bishop Onah at the thanksgiving service stated that the people of Enugu State are happy with Gov. Ugwuanyi and enjoined them to sustain their support for his administration, appealing against any act that could undermine the progress of the state.
According to him, “we have seen good governance in His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, because he has spread infrastructural development in all the areas of the state through his rural development programmes, and Nsukka happens to be a great beneficiary of this his administration’s noble gesture”.
He therefore, assured the governor of the people’s unceasing prayers considering the enormous challenges involved in governance, stressing that “we are very happy with him, there is no prayer said in this church that goes in vain”.
Speaking at the church event, which was graced by the Deputy Governor of the State, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the leader of the group, Mrs. Josephine Nwokedike, extolled the leadership qualities of Gov. Ugwuanyi, adding that the virtues have distinguished him as a great achiever and “an epitome of goodness”.
Mrs. Nwokedike maintained that the governor is a humble, God-fearing, seasoned administrator and prudent manager of scarce resources, disclosing that the Mass was organized to thank God for his victory in the last general election and to ask God to continue to bless his administration with the ability and commitment to provide more democracy dividends to the people of the state in the next four years.
She, therefore, re-affirmed the group’s unwavering support to the present administration in Enugu State and urged the people to continue to support and pray fervently for the governor and his team to do more for the state.
In her speech, the member representing Enugu South Rural Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs. Onyinye Ugwu, pointed out that Gov. Ugwuanyi has bequeathed indelible legacies to successive generations in the state, adding that his administration has become a model for peace and good governance for other states to emulate.
The honourable member commended the governor for the harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislature, stating that “the house is now more rejuvenated and has been working as a family with other arms of the government”.
Afiono of VSO, who expressed delight that “Enugu State is very outstanding in terms of security”, stressed that “our choice of places where we will work is a painstaking exercise based on research and among other things, security is the topmost because our workers have to be secured”.
The programme head disclosed that the group came to Enugu and scheduled to visit Ibagwa Nike and Umuchigbo in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state to assist the people of the area, especially the youths, in the areas of health and education.
She further disclosed that their programmes were basically on inclusive education and livelihood with emphasis on the vulnerable people of the society who, according to her, are deprived of basic essentials of life.
Afiono explained that the International organization has been operational in Kwara State for ten years, pointing out that it is made up of fifty members, comprising twenty-five foreigners and twenty-five Africans.
Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who warmly welcomed members of the delegation to the Government House, Enugu, described the body’s activities as noble ventures that are endearing to his administration.
Represented by his deputy, Mrs. Ezeilo, the governor maintained that the programme of the organization is in line with the policy thrust of his administration that touches the lives and wellbeing of the youths.
He reiterated the commitment of the state government to the success of the organization through the provision of adequate security for the people of the state including their staff and expressed optimism that their stay in the South East, Enugu State in particular, will be fruitful and a longer exercise, going further to express confidence in their ability to cover more communities as the programme progresses.
While informing them that the government through the relevant ministries and agencies will be working with them to ensure the sustenance of the established relationship, the governor hoped that the arrival of other volunteers from United Kingdom and some African countries next week will go a long way in strengthening their local presence and activities that will bring a positive change in the lives of the youth.
His words, “You have asked for security of your staff and the volunteers who would be residing and working at Ibagwa Nike and Umuchigbo, we can assure you that Enugu State remains the safest state in Nigeria, but that notwithstanding, we shall take closer look at the security situation around the place of your deployment to ensure that you enjoy your stay and work in Enugu State”.
