By Prince Ejeh Josh
It is no longer in contention that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State is a leading torchbearer and staunch advocate of gender equality and equitable distribution of position of authority in Nigeria. With the statistical extracts from bodies such as the National Bureau of Statistics and WACOL, the administration of Gov. Ugwuanyi is devotedly running the principle of gender inclusiveness. This gesture is an indication of the fulfilment of his promise to run a government that would outstrip the 35 percent affirmative action often touted by governments at different level.
The consideration and affirmative resolve by the Governor to include women in his administration has showcased some women making the administration, and indeed, the good people of Enugu State proud. They have been able to demystify and rip to shred, the argument of patriarchal superiority through their giant strides just within a space of time.
One of the women, who has always seen and described herself as a servant of the people of Enugu State with an imposed responsibility to deliver service, not just efficiently and effectively, but also competently and faultlessly, is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Projects Development and Implementation (PDI), Engr. (Mrs.) Obiageli Abba, PhD. She has given much to the state within the short period of her appointment. Her strong demonstration of the resolve to resort to financial prudence and discipline in the management of resources, thereby cutting the cost of administration make her exceptional in the scheme of governance.
One of the outstanding qualities displayed by this cerebral maven despite possessing a proven track record in almost all spheres of life is the humane posture often exuded by her. Just like the Executive Governor of the state, Engr. Dr. (Mrs) Obiageli’s humility in victory and unassailable record of performance in the public service would readily serve as inspiration to the people. The woman has established beyond all shadows of doubt that what a man can do, a woman can do far better. This is a radiation of hope to womenfolk, and should serve as a model for young women striving to add value to their society.
Without mincing words, regards being had to the innovation brought to bear in the present administration, the Project Developer and Implementer has performed better by far in her consistent dedication to deliver the best and leave the realm better than she met it. As the first female Special Adviser on PDI in the history of the state, her massive works in projects execution and infrastructural developments have placed her among the stars ever produced in that office.
In a characteristic of a modern engineering explorer, the Special Adviser has brought some touch of innovation into her sphere of influence. Some of the impressive infrastructural edifices executed by her office in recent past has given a clue to a noble symbol set out to redefine the face of governance. Silently, she was driving home good governance, working round the clock and cogitating on the way forward for the state. The impressive works are all over the precinct of the state to behold. Some of the factors that have distinguished and made her works indisputably distinctive are the fashionable touch of innovation and aesthetics always added for titivation. In all this, she has always anchored her support to God and to the Governor who has set the pace and enjoined them to follow suit.
It would be recalled that while being sworn in sometime in 2019, the Governor had charged all public officers to “fasten their belt”, and dedicate their loyalty as public officers to God and the state. The workaholic Governor had directed that they must at all times be seen to pursue honesty, transparency, accountability, equity, justice, fairness and unalloyed commitment to their duty in the course of their service to the state.
Interestingly, Engr. Obiageli did not only heed to this thought-provoking directive by His Excellency, she followed and practiced it religiously. It worked and still working for her. For her, all her landmark achievements were the result of Governor Ugwuanyi’s standard and benchmark for his aides and advisers. Giving the Abuja Building a colourful outlook and deserved status of office was a delight to many. While carrying out renovations and re-construction work at Abuja Building, a gigantic structure which hitherto was wasting in abandonment, not many professed the faith that the work would be given such a befitting visage it is wearing today as a result of the enormous works required there. But the COREN engineer, unperturbed, kept on with the good work. It was like a revolution. In less than two months, the structure was smiling with a new look. Many visitors, unaware that what was skillfully done was a renovation by an adept engineer, argued that the structure was pulled down and a new one erected! When competence, efficient management of material and human resources meet with a passion to deliver on the mandate of a momentous project, the results are always spectacular.
While the aura of the laudable project was being celebrated, a new power generating incombustible machine was procured to give the building a 24 hours power supply that would guarantee ease of running government’s daily activity. Throughout the titanic structure, power outrage is now a thing of history. A credit the Special Adviser said should go to the performing and supportive Governor for always thinking about the welfare of the staff occupying the building.
Interestingly, what many did not know about Engr. Obiageli was that she has had a stint of field and administrative experiences through her career pursuits. However, she has refused to make a noise about that. As a simple and easygoing woman, one would hardly know that she is among the topnotch engineers in the country. She didn’t allow a society skewed in favour of the menfolk to discourage her dreams of walking tall in the field of engineering.
The walk-the-talk engineer, while working as a private consultant, has executed lots of fascinating projects including industries, going concern companies, and factories. She has also worked as a staff of the National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) where she rose to the rank of manager. She is reputed for effecting changes and driving innovation that increased the capital base and power supply base of the company. Engr. Obiageli was a Director to different companies where reference to her good works is continually speaking for her. Her quest to impact her success story and raise students that would make exploit in the field of Engineering landed her in the classroom as a lecturer. Her display of intellectual prowess and mastery of the field where she specialised left her students fascinated, thirsting for more of her. The state, recognising the ingenuity of her endowment and dexterous embodiment invited her to advance improvements on the ways elections are conducted in the state. Thus, charting her journey through the Enugu State Electoral Commission.
Who would have believed that Engr. Obiageli had equipped herself with a far-reaching academic certification! A doctoral degree holder in Engineering, and also a COREN member. What more would be said of this great achiever. One thing is indisputable about her status: she has joined the league of women of influence in Nigeria in particular and in Africa at large. Enugu State should be proud of having her daughter achieved this much, while striving further to give her best to the people.
It’s pertinent to note that another historic record was clinched today as the Abuja Building now has two modern lifts to ease the stress of walking the mountainous staircases. The first in history of the state since the Abuja Building was erected. It was a great relief for the staff who were seen jubilating. However, the Special Adviser has described the project as that coming from a Governor with the love of his people. A Governor committed to enhance public service output through motivation and enabling environment for the staff to operate without strain.
The project was lauded by Barr. Emma Ugwu, the Permanent Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer to the Governor, as pain relief and an antidote for workers. For him, the Governor would continue to do his best to ensure staff welfare is catered for. The top administrator, in a spirited speech, enjoined all staff to remain steadfast, dedicated to duties and continue to support the administration of Governor Ugwuanyi.
Another senior Engineer, a COREN member who also doubles as the Head of Department, Works Unit, Engr. Emeka Nnadi, while certifying the good works of the Special Adviser and, indeed, the Governor, hailed Gov. Ugwuanyi as an uncommon achiever with an indelible legacy distributed across the state . He expressed his readiness to keep the projects handed over to his department and promised that they would always be maintained in line with international best practices. He extolled the capacity of the Special Adviser to deliver efficiently within timeframe.
Prince Ejeh Josh, a public affairs analyst, writes from Enugu
