By Prince Ejeh Josh
On 27th of August, 2020, Enugu State will commemorate its 29 years of existence as a legal entity and state within the Nigeria federal setting. But for the dark cloud and the thunderstorms in the wake of that fateful Tuesday, 27 August, 1991, every other thing seemed normal. The weather was only coasting home to rain, perhaps in preparation of the big news.
However, typical of the enterprising Igbo men and women, many of them had defied the gloomy sky for their businesses and farms. In what appeared to be a twist of fate, a historic announcement was made by the administration of the then Military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Gbadamasi Babangida. It was the creation of new states in the country. Enugu State was formally carved out of the old Anambra State. Enugu and Anambra States made the list. This news erupted jubilation from every nook and cranny of the region. Lofty dreams and heightened expectations from these newly created states left many people basking in a state of euphoria.
It’s worthy of note that Enugu as a society predated the state creation brought about by political exigency to as far back as 1910 when it was discovered by Europeans otherwise known as colonial masters. The city, perching on the beautiful hill of Ngwo and swinging gracefully down the flora and fauna of Nkanu hinterland became a nucleus of both white and blue collar job seekers, and a commercial hub of the entire region due to its richness in coal deposits. Trailed down to Nigeria independence in 1960, Enugu retained its splendour and pride of place as the capital of the old Eastern Region. It became the pride and centre of attraction of every Igbo man.
In order to give the city the status it deserved, make it livable and hospital for the inhabitants of the region, and turn it into an industrial zone for jobs and wealth creation, the region’s founding fathers such as Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, Michael Okpara, to mention a few, decided to sacrifice all they had to lay the foundation that would make Enugu not just a technologically driven industrial estate but also to compete favourably with countries like the United States, Japan, and even its colonial country, Britain.
The pioneers of modern Nigeria and eastern region did not betray their dreams for the region and indeed, the country. The economy of the region was diversified. Inventions were made. Technology was brought to bear. Creativity was greatly explored and exploits were made in science and arts. The entire eastern region, within a short time, clinched the status of a self-sustaining region. While the region was intensely making a progress towards economic and technological revolution, the military struck. It was a sad experience that interrupted the progressive pace of that moment. But the dreams did not die. The foundation was already laid.
Without further ado, the long military incursion into the Nigerian political system and its destructive effect on the dreams of our founding fathers became more pronounced as mismanagement, corruption, incompetence, vapid and erratic economic and political policies were churned out of their whims and caprices. These rudderless steps became entrenched in the system, ruining the architectural plans laid by the founding fathers. Developments were suffocated. Incompetence was glorified above merit. Life returned to its dark ages. Nobody talked about the founding fathers’ dreams any more as survival became the fundamental concern of every Nigerian. Even after the military decided to transmit power to democratically elected officials, the junta vestiges were still protruding from every corner of the political system.
Subsequent democratic leaders, with this mindset, found themselves in power. They could only imagine power and development from military perspectives. Then came Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as Enugu State governor in 2015. Many had expected him to tag along the same line of militaristic development thought. The prediction was wrong. The governor dissented and became a nonconformist. While taking his oath of office at the Micheal Okpara Square on May 29, 2015, the newly elected governor reiterated his determination to alter the hitherto undying status quo. It was a radical departure from militarised democracy to civil democracy well-defined in action.
With his towering voice cascading from the podium, the people’s general reminded the electorate how he rode on the strength of their shoulders to power. He then marshalled his people-oriented agenda before the public, and chief among them was the return of the architectural designs of the state’s founding fathers to the people of the state. He assured that the dreams of the founding fathers were only reposing in abeyance and would be robustly championed and resurrected like Lazarus.
In order to actualise these goals, the governor embarked on his socio-political sojourn meant at ensuring the reign of peace among the stakeholders and the people of Enugu state in general. It’s a truism that a society without peace will achieve nothing, and where chaos is prevalent, the thrust of leadership becomes herculean. Understanding this simple logic, the administration defied party divides and reached out to those with divergent ideologies. He brought them together in a bid to assuage flaying grievances and heal their wounds. It was a political ecumenism in motion which has feasibly seen peace returned to the state. This was the first time different political gladiators would be working together for the progress and development of the state. This gesture laid the foundation for other sectors to thrive.
A careful look into our founding fathers’ dreams would reveal the pivotal roles played by infrastructure in enhancing employment and empowerment of the teeming youth. As frequently drummed by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, infrastructure serves as a fertile ground for holistic transformation of any society with lofty dreams. As a catalyst for other development, the governor, despite accruing lean resources to the state, embarked on massive infrastructural execution across the state.
While the reconstruction of old roads and constructions of new ones were ongoing, health sector was wearing a new look, with rural transformation taking the lead in the scheme of projects. The desire to recreate rural areas and make them more of semi-urban areas held sway in the administration. One of the intriguing pose of the Ugwuanyi led administration is its determination to link all the local government areas in the state and make it look like a smart city. One could only imagine the economic prospects this has been yielding for the people.
For record purposes, Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration, in keeping with these dreams, has constructed hundreds of roads evenly spread across the state. Some of these roads include but not limited to the following: constructions of 31km Udenu Ring Road; 26.66km Ukpabi-Nimbo-Ugbene Ajima-Eziani road located at Uzo-Uwani local government; 22.443km Neke-Mbu-Ogbodu Aba-Obollo Etiti inter-districts road linking Udenu and Isi-Uzo local government areas; 13km Nike Lake Junction-Harmony Estate-Amorji Nike-Adoration Centre-Orie Emene road linking different communities for ease of doing business and movement of farming produce; 8.2km Inyi-Apkugoeze road in Oji River area; 8.5km Ihe-Ogbaku road in Agwu local government area. As noted earlier, these road constructions are too numerous to reel here. The governor not tired with his colossal achievements in state’s road, further extended his development tentacles to federal roads within the state.
Complementing the above is the governor’s resolved to revisit the health sector and raise its status to those obtained in developed climes. Indeed, health, it’s said, is wealth. As a way of ensuring that the people of Enugu state were given the best health facilities in town, the governor embarked on assessment tours to hospitals and clinics in the state. Thereafter, he commenced massive rehabilitation and construction of old and new hospitals. He did not stop there, he acquired state-of-the-art medical equipment for the running of these hospitals. Unlike many governors in the country, Ugwuanyi has never travelled out of Nigeria for medical treatment. He believes he has given the health sector a befitting status, and as such, must patronize it through his exemplary leadership style.
It was during his first tenure that the state witnessed unprecedented transformation in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology College of Medicine, Parklane, Enugu. A new ultra-modern diagnostic centre was fully equipped by the governor to serve the south east region. Before the construction of the diagnostic centre by Ugwuanyi administration, life was at its lowest ebb as patients would have to travel all the way to the north or south west to access medical attention.
Today, Colliery Hospital is wearing a pristine look. The Enugu Ezike General Hospital is blazing and has been returned to its glorious days. The same could be said of Agbani General Hospital, Igbo Ano Specialist Hospital, General Hospital Nsukka, Ede-Oballa, and the 7 units of type 3 primary healthcare centre that have found their way in almost all the local government areas of the state. Today, the state’s rural health reforms have been receiving commendations from both international non-governmental organisations and other civil society organisations.
All these aggressive engagement and execution of projects come with some implications. They create massive jobs for the teeming youth. Construction of roads means engagement of Engineers in the sites. Building of more hospitals implies employment of more medical doctors and other health workers. As a way of stamping out unemployment in the state, the administration of Ugwuanyi has opened the state for considerable investment. In its Oganiru Economic Summit held a few years back, the state successfully wooed investors both within and outside Nigeria. It turned out to be a prized outing as both skilled and unskilled labours have been engaged. This has increased the state’s per capita income.
Not done yet, Governor Ugwuanyi personally championed more projects that would engage the youth in a direct employment. For example, the schools in the state have recruited more than 10000 workers since the administration assumed office. Incentives were created and soft loans granted to those going into agriculture. In recent time, the Coal City rice, Nsukka International pepper, Enugu Cattle Ranching, and other agribusiness projects have become the new normal. This has a sweeping implication on the economic status of the state. Recently, the country’s economy slumped into recession as a result of the collapse in the price of crude oil in international markets. Nigeria, as it is known, is a mono-economy heavily depending on the petro-chemical sector to make its earnings. The effect of the recession plunged many states into economic crisis. But Enugu State survived it because it was able to diversify its economy ab initio. Revenues were being generated from agricultural sector, services and other industries. This is in addition to the state’s financial prudence and fiscal discipline in its spending.
Interestingly, the state has been paying salaries without qualm. In its 2019 report tagged, “Annual States Viability Index”, the Economic Confidential, a financial intelligence magazine, unsurprisingly reported that Enugu State under the administration of Governor Ugwuanyi, made a list of 6 states in the country that are economically viable. What this means is that Enugu could comfortably pay salaries and meet other financial obligations without going bankrupt and without pestering on the federal government’s monthly allocation. This was the enviable vision of the state’s founding fathers coming into reality under Governor Ugwuanyi. Through the loans, training and support offered by the state’s Small and Medium Enterprises, thousands of Enugu youths are now self-employed.
Of importance is the role played by education in the development of every society. It’s a catalyst for intellectual revolution and socio-economic emancipation. This was the motivation behind the siting of the first University of Nigeria in Enugu State by our founding fathers. Appreciating these uncommon roles played by education, Governor Ugwuanyi has vigorously pushed for the change in the face of education in terms of infrastructure, facilities, and qualities of teachers employed so far.
There is now a systematisation of modern education in the state. Besides, basic education is free and a must for our children. Tertiary institutions have assumed a different level with many of them now into invention and innovation. Today, one could proudly enthuse that the crop of university and polytechnic graduates the state is producing are becoming self-reliant and self-engaged. This has reduced the pressure of security impasse in the state.
It was this engagement that saw Enugu State thriving in peace as an idle hand, is said to be the devil’s workshop. When we adjudged Enugu State the most investor-friendly state, what it implies is the enduring tranquility and peace reigning in the environs. This coupled with the measure put in place in terms of hard security. The engagement of Forest Guards, Neighbourhood Watch, and Community Policing to complement the work of conventional security outfits has redefined the state security architecture. There is now a synergy playing progressively among all the sectors in the state.
While not making tourism the least, it is imperative to note that the governor has turned Enugu into a centre of attraction through his aesthetic roadmap for the state. An excursion around the city would readily make a visitor feel at home at the alluring views of the state. Its adornment. Its cleanliness. Its serene environment. And its fascinating landscape. The Unity Park undergoing construction is a good example of the tourist site in the city. Tourism is indeed, another source of revenue for the state government.
These summed together, one could see the social contract Governor Ugwuanyi had with the people blending with the goals and dreams of the founding fathers of the state. Wherever the founding fathers are today, their spirits would, no doubt, be satisfied with the unprecedented giant strides of the governor over the past few years.
The governor has undeniably set the wheel of achieving an enviable state in motion. It is only a matter of time before all the goals of the founding fathers would be achieved and what would be left would be how to consolidate them.
