Author: Editor

DONS EZE, PhD

THE KANKARA KIDNAP HOAX

When we consider the kidnap of hundreds of students at Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, penultimate week, we begin to see that many things did not add up well. There were many loose ends, which have made us begin to think twice about the whole issue.

First, President Muhammadu Buhari arrived his home state, Katsina, on a holiday. The same day he arrived, bandits stormed the Kankara school in the same Katsina State and took away hundreds of boys. They travelled hundreds of kilometers on foot with the boys, and nobody noticed the movement, even with high security beef up in Katsina State following the President’s presence there.

Again, when they decided to let us know about the kidnap, they began to sing different tunes. The Presidency, through the loquacious Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said only 10 students were kidnapped from the school. The Chief Security Officer of the state, Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, said the number of students abducted from Kankara, were 333.

Again, they paraded one student said to be among those abducted, but who miraculously escaped, and the boy told us that their abductors had asked him to count the number of abductees in their den, and he counted 540 of them.

The authoritative Northern Nigeria based newspaper, the Daily Trust, said their correspondent visited Kankara, and through the school register, was able to establish that the number of students missing were 668.

But when later news about the rescue of the students was released, they put the number at 344; not 10, not 333, not 540, and not 668, as variously bandied. Interestingly, all the abducted students were returned safely, with no scratch, no injury, nobody fainted, nobody died, in spite of the fact that the boys travelled hundreds of kilometers on foot, and might have gone through serious trauma, emotional breakdown, and perhaps, inhuman treatments in the hands of their captors.

At first, when news abiut the kidnap of the students were announced, the Minister of Defence said they knew where the boys were kept, and that the military would soon storm the place to rescue them, while Governor Masari said he was in contact with the abductors and were negotiating with them for the release of the boys.

While all these things were going on, the Commander-in-Chief was not disturbed. He was fully relaxed and enjoying his holiday. He even took out time to visit his cows, but spurned those who wanted him to visit Kankara and have first hand information about what happened, or give comforting words to traumatized parents of the abductees.

Six days later, Governor Masari told us that the abducted students have been released and that it was Miyetti Allah, a group of cattle rears, that facilitated their release. Everybody was happy, and began to sing alleluia.

But the Nigerian military was not happy about the claim that it was Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association of Nigeria that facilitated the release of the boys.

A Defence Headquarters spokesman, John Enenche, posited that it was the military that rescued the captives, stating that “the members of general public who volunteered information are also appreciated. He said the students were rescued “on the heels of credible intelligence by the gallant troops”, with high degree of professionalism to ensure they were all rescued alive.

His words: “Keeping to its promise to ensure the safe return of all abducted students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI rescued all 344 abducted students on Thursday 17 December 2020. The Military High Command commends troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, including all security agencies for their dexterity.”

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, came with his own bombshell. According to him, it was through foreign support that the abducted schoolboys were released, but however declined to give details about those foreign individuals or countries that supported Nigeria during the process of rescuing the schoolboys, and the type of help given.

Probably, as a result of these discordant tunes, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere described the Kankara school kidnap episode as a “practical joke” that points to the direction that “Nigeria is finished.”

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, the group said: “We in Afenifere are in serious pain that we are called fellow Nigerians with some people at this sad period when human lives have been made to be totally worthless officially.

“We are not in doubt that the lives of these boys must have been used to swipe the card once again and more money will be available to terrorise Nigerians.”

On our part, we would like to pose the following questions that would help clear some doubts currently raging in our mind, if properly answered.

Were the Kankara boys actually abducted, or was it a stage-managed affair? If it happened, who did the abduction? Boko Haram initially claimed responsibility, but the government said no, that it was done by bandits. Who were these bandits, and what was their purpose for abducting the boys?

Governor Masari had earlier claimed that they were negotiating for the release of the boys. Was it the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association of Nigeria that they were negotiating with, or was it any other body? In other words, were the Miyetti Allah the bandits that abducted the boys?

Between the Miyetti Allah and the Nigerian military, who actually secured the release of the boys? Each is claiming the glory. Let those who know better tell us.

Also, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that foreign countries were involved in securing the release of the boys, who were those foreign countries, and the type of help they rendered?

Until these loose ends were properly tied, we would continue to see the Kankara kidnap saga as a hoax. May be the administration was anxious to redeem their toterring image for not facing squarely the security challenges in the country, or that some terrorist groups were hard-pressed financially, and wanted to make more money from government.

This appears plausible, because we had hardly done away with the Kankara episode when bandits again swooped on another secondary school in Katsina State and took away 84 students. We have just got news that the students have been rescued, perhaps, after paying some heavy ransom, even though the government will continue to deny that no such thing ever happened, even after they have told us that they “negotiated”, for the release of the captives, which in our own thinking, involved the process of give and take.

Dr. Dons Eze, KSJI

Gov. Ugwuanyi presents N169.85 billion 2021 budget estimates

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Wednesday, presented to the State House of Assembly, the 2021 Budget estimates of One Hundred and Sixty Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty Five Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N169,845,758,500.00), for consideration and passage.

Presenting the budget proposal tagged: “Budget of Recovery and Continued Growth”, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that it “is 13.8 percent higher than our revised 2020 budget”.

The governor explained that the budget proposal was carefully designed to strategically enhance the recovery of the state from the drawbacks of 2020, occasioned by the unexpected and unpleasant outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and the negative effects of the #EndSARS protests, which were hijacked by miscreants and hoodlums to unleash mayhem on the country, “pushing back all the efforts at economic recovery from COVID-19 challenge”.

 

Gov. Ugwuanyi added that these setbacks to the full implementation of the 2020 budget ensued shortly after his administration commenced payment of the new Minimum Wage of N30,000 in February this year with its consequential adjustment.

“We had adjusted to this new cost centre and set in motion procurement processes for the delivery of services to Ndi Enugu as appropriated by this Honourable House. Suddenly, we slept in one world and woke up in another, confronted with the unpleasant news of a strange illness – Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19)”, he said.

 

Gov. Ugwuanyi pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and pertinent restriction of economic activities across the country caused a significant drop in the global energy demand that led to oil prices crash with huge drop in Statutory Allocation accruing to states in Nigeria, as well as the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which compelled state governments to revise their 2020 approved budgets as directed by the National Economic Council and inspired by World Bank.

 

On the 2020 budget performance, the governor said that apart from the payment of the N30,000 Minimum Wage to workers, provision of critical road infrastructure in urban and rural areas, interventions in security, judiciary, education, tourism, legislature, religious, agriculture, redevelopment of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Urban water supply, among others, his administration has made huge investment in the health sector/COVID-19 related interventions.

 

On the 2021 budget estimates, Gov. Ugwuanyi revealed that the projections were predicated on the macro and micro-economic indicators of national inflation rate of 11.95%, national real GDP growth of 3%, oil production benchmark of 1.86 million barrels per day, oil price benchmark of $40 per barrel, and exchange rate of N380 per US dollar.

He further stated that the “Enugu State Medium Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2021-2023 and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) are aimed at prudent fiscal management coupled with prioritisation of public expenditure”, stressing that “this is focused on achieving a better balance between capital and recurrent expenditures”.

 

The governor noted that out of the total budget size of N169.85 billion, the sum of N68.711billion, representing 40% of the total budget is for Recurrent Expenditure while the sum of N101.1billion is for Capital Expenditure, representing 60% of the budget size.

 

Consequently, Gov. Ugwuanyi highlighted that the key deliverables of the 2021 capital budget include rehabilitation of the 9th Mile crash water borehole programme; commencement of AFD-funded 3rd National Urban Water Sector Reform Project; completion and landscaping of International Conference Centre and construction of a flyover Bridge at T-Junction of Nike Lake Resort Road/Nike Road, Enugu.

 

The governor hinted that the all-important flyover project will necessitate closure of the Nike Lake Resort/Nike Road T-junction and all approach routes to it, adding that “preparatory to the project commencement therefore, alternative routes for traffic diversion are being prepared and will be adequately communicated to the public in due course”.

 

Other key deliverables were the completion of construction of ESUT Teaching Hospital Igbo Eno; installation of Astro-turf & Tartan Tracks, floodlighting with associated Works at Nsukka Stadium, Nsukka LGA; rehabilitation/construction of more Urban and Rural roads; construction of Station Road-Subway Flyover/Underpass to Ogui road with a spur to market road by Red-Cross; construction of additional type III Model Primary Health Centers in Oji River, Aninri, and Awgu LGAs; establishment of Fertilizer blending plant and cottage Rice Mill; completion of the rehabilitation of Enugu Ezike General Hospital and construction of its Amenity Building; integration of Adada Water Scheme and rehabilitation of other Water Schemes in Enugu North Senatorial District, and drilling of new Water boreholes with storage facilities and reticulation across the State.

 

While expressing profound appreciation to members of the State House of Assembly for their diligence and commitment to the task of taking Enugu State to an enviable height, “consistent with our founding fathers’ dream of a peaceful, united, secure and prosperous Enugu State”, Gov. Ugwuanyi also appreciated deeply the people of the state “for their unflinching support, cooperation and resilience especially in the face of all the storms of year 2020”.

 

Responding, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for weathering the storms during the year to ensure that his administration provided the dividends of democracy to the people of the state especially in the rural areas.

The Speaker therefore assured the governor that the House will pay diligent attention to the budget for residents of the state to continue to enjoy peace and good governance.

1. Enugu State is in the hands of God!
   #amokelouis (more…)

A lot of reasons abound why people enter relationships, some to seek companionship, some others seek love and to be loved, some others still seek alliance and synergy on some level but no one ever enters a relationship anticipating abuse of any kind, be it physical, sexual or mental. It is therefore not a surprise that relationships begin on a high note of love and affection.

The both parties are, under normal circumstances, running high on emotions and cannot seem to get enough of each other. They could talk all day and stay up all night because they are in love and nothing else seems to matter in the world besides the both of them.
Many who are yet in the euphoria of this stage in the relationship have proceeded to co-habitation because they are under the assumption that they have found the missing rib. This phase of the relationship cycle is undoubtedly a beauty to behold and it looks like it will last forever, but sooner than later, the parties are brought into the harsh reality that romance and physical attraction no matter how strong and seemingly unending it looks, lacks in itself the capacity to cancel out bad character traits and base attitudes that must be addressed if any relationship will survive.
Many forms of abuse abound. Some are physically violent in nature which involves beating and other forms of domestic violence. Some others are sexual where victims are sexually violated and taken advantage of against their wish. Some others are financial in nature where victim are compelled to produce money or properties against their wish. Whatever form an abuse assumes, the underlying intention is to control, unduly subdue, manipulate and control the victim against their wish.
The percentage of physically abused women are daily increasing in Nigeria, so also is the number of sexually abused men and sadly some of these cases of abuse end in death of the victims and worse still, the system has not done enough in providing justice for these victims neither are sustainable structures put in place to ensure complete recovery of those who manage to make it out alive. Has this decreased the number of abused people? Sadly, NO! Many people are still enduring abusive and toxic relationships and cannot seem to find the courage to get out.
Therefore, to ensure that one never enter into an abusive relationship and that every possibility for such an occurrence is prohibited, efforts should be made in various areas which include but not limited to the following;
CONSTANT EVALUATION AND RE-EVALUATION OF ONE’S WORTH: Imagine going to a supermarket and seeing a wrist watch you like only to find out that there is no price tag. Buyers are allowed to pay whatever they feel is right to possess this wrist watch. Do you think this said wrist watch will ever have its true worth paid for? Your guess is as good as mine. Similarly, when people don’t place a tag on themselves, they become like an open cheque where anyone is allowed to make whatever withdrawals without restraint.
Some people have evaluated and tagged themselves based on the plane at which their partners view them. Some have defined their self-worth based on the things that have happened to them while growing up; possibly a sexual or physical abuse. Some others have grown up being battered on a daily by parents and guardians and this has greatly crushed their self-worth that they think whoever they ever manage to enter into a relationship with is doing them a favor. This is a very destructive self-evaluative scale. Some other people have become so used to enduring physical abuse that it has become their new normal.
Some others also are so dependent on their partners that they feel that they have to endure any form of abuse just to keep their flow of income. They consider the abuse a small price to pay as long as they retain that support system. They rather remain with that partner than to explore their possibilities alone.
It is therefore your responsibility as a man or woman to evaluate and constantly re-evaluate your worth. Keep making adjustments that protect your physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing. The bible says in Proverbs 4:23 to guard the heart with all diligence for out of it comes the issues of life. You must consciously put in effort to protect and safeguard your space. You may appear tough on the outside the need to safeguard your space far outweighs people’s perceptions of your outer demeanor.
FINANCIAL DEPENDENCE IN A RELATIONSHIP: This among other variables is a major factor why many people lack the courage to walk out of an abusive relationship. On one hand, they are enslaved by the seeming financial benefits which have furnished an understanding that without that partner of theirs, they cannot afford the luxury they are currently enjoying even if it comes with a regular slice of physical or sexual or mental abuse or all. The monetary benefit they enjoy has drained their motivation to go out and do something for themselves. Why work when you can get paid for free?
It takes a lot of courage to be in a relationship with someone of higher financial strength and yet not lose your values in the process. It becomes imperative therefore to master how to harness your financial resources and stay within the boundaries of what you can afford. This does not rule out the possibility of being gifted with items above your financial capacity, the issue is not constantly placing demands above what you can afford.
This takes a lot of discipline but it pays off in the long run. Not only does it preserve your self-worth, it proves you a non-materialistic fellow and gives you impetus to not only demand your respect but to courageously walk out of that relationship at any point you notice that your interests are no longer represented.
This is not an easy feat to achieve considering the fact that we live in a generation where moral decadence is at its peak. People have normalized parasitic relationships where one partner has to bear the entire financial burden in the relationship. The outcome is the increasing percentage of abused people and broken people. So to actualize this feat of financial dependence, every individual intent upon entering a relationship should at least,
Have a healthy source of income.
Cultivate a lifestyle of contentment. This means to stay within the boundaries of your financial ability. Instead of trying to exploit your partner financially, seek grounds to expand your financial base. This usually inspires respect from the other party if they are reasonable.
BE VIGILANT: The euphoria of the love stage has made a lot of people ignore vital signs in their partners that later turned out to be strongholds that could not be easily uprooted. During the period of dating and courtship, it is pertinent that extra care and diligence be put in checking the character traits of the other person, not just as it relates to you but as he or she relates to other people. Check how they treat their parents, their siblings, their colleagues, their superiors or subordinates as the case may be. Check how they treat their workers and those in their space. These are major places where they will most likely display their true character.
Try as much as you can not to explain away his/her faults at this stage, rather be at alert so you are not taken unawares when they turn around and treat you in like manner.
SET BOUNDARIES: In the book of Job 1:9-10, Satan told God that the reason Job was serving Him faithfully was because He had put a hedge around him and all that he had. It is important to set boundaries in your relationships, not just your romantic relationships but in every relationship there is. Boundaries are highly ignored and this has ushered in with it unnecessary abuse that could have been avoided if boundaries were set ab initio. In setting boundaries, one has to be,
Vocal: that is say exactly what you want and your limits. For instance, if you don’t want pre-marital sex, you must verbally say that to your partner and set boundaries to that respect.
Specific: identify areas that you want respected. For instance, if you don’t want to stay out late, give a time limit as to when you want the date to end.
In setting boundaries, you protect your space and also make your partner know that you have values that are meaningful to you. Again, setting boundaries requires a lot of discipline because you must be able to bypass your own feelings and insist that those boundaries be respected. Try not to make excuses for your partner when they start exhibiting anger traits. Watch out for how they treat their colleagues, subordinates and workers as the case may be because eventually that is how they will treat you. At any point you start feeling marginalized or coarse, be vocal about it. If you are afraid to voice out your true feelings, that is an indication that you are not in the right environment.
Abuse of any sort be it physical, sexual, financial or even mental always leaves a deep scar in the heart of the victim and if not properly addressed, these victims turn out to be abusers themselves and unconsciously sometimes. So to prevent that kind of experience, ensure
That the person you’re entering a relationship with has people they are accountable to, maybe parents, a guardian or a mentor that they answer to. This will help you when they are out of line, you can always have recourse to someone they will listen to.
Make sure you keep a good distance from the violent partner to prevent fatalities.
For your own good, when matters are frequent, report to a law enforcement agency to protect your life.
If there are threats to life, make sure the authorities are alerted and adequate security provided.
Remember, if you have gone through any abuse that you are not the way your abuser sees you or the image they have painted of you. You are made in the image and after the very likeness of God. That is your identity and it is from that civilization that you should draw your meaning and realign with your purpose. You are not what you have been through. You are a child of God and the very nature of God is domiciled inside of you.
Take time to heal by speaking to experienced counsellors who will help you navigate the path of healing. Remember that you are loved and special and the best of your days are still very much ahead of you.

For personal questions and advice, please follow me on twitter @thevoiceofuche and privately send your questions and share your opinions on my dm. God bless you all.

ARE YOU READY FOR MARRIAGE?

1. By Uche Anosike

 

Marriage is a widely discussed topic that many professionals and religious people have tried to demystify but it seems like the more we are shown, the more there is to be seen and with the alarming rate of divorce, and worse issues springing from the marriage institution, it is not out of place for anyone to ask him or herself the question, “AM I REALLY READY FOR MARRIAGE?”

 

The above question is rarely asked, talk more of answers coming to young men and women who are taking this bold step into a new phase of life. Part of the reason been that majority of young people have defined readiness only in terms of age and other physical and natural attainments such as making money and getting educated. While these are necessary in their nature, being “ready” is more than that. It is a function of some degree of attainment of preparedness with a level of confidence that the challenge ahead can be surmounted.

 

Take for example a student that has examinations coming up, he/she must prepare for the examinations in such a manner that some level of confidence that the examination will be attempted and surmounted is developed in him/her as a result of that preparation. It then suffices to say that without preparation, there is actually no readiness.

 

So in asking the question “AM I READY FOR MARRIAGE?” is actually asking “Am I prepared for marriage?” Talking about preparedness, it is pertinent to note that it is actually the foundation for any successful venture in life. 2Chronicles 27:6 says, “So Jotham became mighty because he had prepared his ways before the Lord his God (NKJV)”. Every institution and phase of life demands a certain level of preparedness from whoever wishes to embark on it. Take for example those who want to gain admission to study in the University.

 

You must have successfully passed your WAEC with at least 5 credits in your chosen subjects, not excluding English and Mathematics added to a high score of above 200 if you want your course of choice to be given. In the same way those seeking employment into some kind of offices must possess the key qualities needed to fill the desired position. Even weddings are heavily prepared for. Beginning with bridal clothes and showers and food and decorations, and photography. The list goes on and on but sadly the marriage for which the wedding is predicated is not adequately prepared for.

 

Now there are certain predicates and measures for which an individual presuming to enter upon marriage should check him or herself to ascertain the level of readiness already attained. Let us begin with what I presume to be the most important cadre: THE VISION.

 

Now what kind of marriage have you envisioned for yourself? A person without vision is a person without direction and how terrible is that. Anything goes, everything goes. That is not a way to enter upon marriage. What are your desires? What kind of woman/man do you see yourself spending the rest of your life with? Do you want a spiritual home with a partner that is completely yielded to Christ and is in constant communion with the Holy Spirit?

 

Do you want an intellectual, someone who can author books and pursue knowledge? Do you want a party type, someone who is not ashamed to have fun? You must know what you want because it is along those lines that you prepare. The law of attraction states that you attract what you have prepared for. Now many people will come across to you on your path to finding The One but your vision and preparation makes the selection easy. You already have the vision of the kind of home you want and when The One comes, you are not confused in the least because both of you will align.

 

Physical development is a very essential part of the preparation process that has been greatly overlooked and causing severe havoc. This centers mainly on the individual and the way he/she considers him/herself. Looking at the book of Numbers 13:33 when Moses sent out the Israelites to spy out the promise land. They came back with bad reports and concluded that before the giants of Anak, they seemed like grasshoppers. Proper evaluation and appreciation of the physical body goes long to portray how an individual views him/herself in the eyes of others. Someone who sees him/herself as not attractive will never be able to accept real compliments on beauty.

 

They already have a fixed image and no matter what other people see as attractive in them, they will see it as flattering and on the basis of flattering, true and solid relationships cannot last. You must accept and appreciate the form and structure which you have, knowing that there is someone out there custom-tailored for you and will fit into your life without having to subject you to cuttings. If you’re fat, accept it. Are you slim, accept it. Now, this does not in any way invalidate self-improvement, it rather encourages it. If you feel a need to improve on yourself, please do. Do you need to add weight or shed some weight, please do and in other areas of your physical appearance where you feel the need to enhance, please do, provided the basis of this is not from an inferior view of your body structure.

 

Having explained the above, there is yet another vital area of preparedness which is mental and intellectual in nature. People study to attain degrees and certificates that will ensure them a better position in life and yet belittle the fact that they need to acquire knowledge when it comes to the aspect of marriage. Marriage which is a life time engagement needs more study than any other aspect of life. Reason being that it is on this platform that those other certificates can find meaningful expression.

 

Have you taken time to read and learn from men and women who has journeyed before you? Have you had time to identify the challenges that are inherent in marriage and how they have been handled before? Experience they say is the best teacher but learning from people’s experience is a better teacher. You can’t presume to ask for a certificate in a course you haven’t studied. Study to show yourself approved, Paul tells Timothy in 2Tim 2:15.

 

Similar to this is a psycho-social analysis. This is very necessary because society and culture has given a bad premise on what marriage should be. A lot of stereotypes have been imbedded into the hearts of young people and the effect of this is that many young people are myopic and have refused to free themselves to the vast opportunities ahead of them even right in their very faces. If you intend to make a headway in your marital destiny, you must find the roots of these stereotypes and destroy it. These stereotypes are cultural in nature and applies to a specific people and community. You hear things like don’t marry from that tribe or marriage into such and such culture is deadly.

 

These are all lies and must be rooted out. Then comes the social life of the intending individual. Are you friendly? Are you open to new opportunities? Have you limited yourself to only a certain group of people? Are you flexible? Can you adapt to changes? These are important questions to answer because marriage will change your life. Some people are so used to their space and so authoritarian in running their affairs and even though they presume to enter upon marriage, they have not made room for the possibility of letting someone else in on their space and decisions. You must prepare your mind and heart for these evident realities and be in a mood to submit to another person as Paul admonished in Ephesians 5:21.

Emotional preparation is another very vital aspect that needs to be looked at. Emotions are feelings that are neither good nor bad in themselves but acting on emotions devoid of the mind and the will can be disastrous. Human beings are not meant to act based on their emotions only but emotions must be applied to thought and the will which decide how actions should be taken. You must train your will to be stronger than your emotions so you can act or react from a place of strength irrespective of how you feel. This gives you strength to say NO in situations that make you feel good in the interim but are harmful to your person, like yielding to sex and co-habitation before the actual marriage.

 

Financial stability is another vital area of preparation. Anyone intending to get married should have a steady source of income, or a business project or a potential prospect. These are very vital and helps to give some stability to the relationship. This is greatly emphasized for the male folk who will be assuming the authority and responsibility of the head. Apart from making money, there is a need for financial transparency of both parties.

 

Nakedness of finances must be implemented to build trust. The man and the woman were both naked and were not ashamed in Gen 2:25. If you are not prepared for absolute nakedness in declaring your assets to your partner, you’re not really ready for marriage. You are already building on a wrong foundation that is set up to fail and that has crushed many homes before.

 

Finally but not conclusively, when you have assessed yourself and have come to a point where you see in yourself an ability to provide help to someone else, then you are ready. Marriage is not about receiving but about giving without any hope of being repaid. John 3:16 says that God loved the world so much that he gave His only begotten son. Marriage does not hold any hope for people who are not ready to give their all for the other person. You must build a mindset predicated on giving and not receiving, on spending and to be spent for the good and prosperity of the other person. If you are yet to come into this understanding, seek help from the promised Helper (John 14:26) He is willing to not just help but guide you into all the truth.

 

For personal questions and advice, please follow me on twitter @thevoiceofuche and privately send your questions and share your opinions on my dm. God bless you all.

On May 29, 2020, the people-oriented and visionary administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State marked its 5th Anniversary. On August 27, 2020, the Coal City State celebrated the 29th Anniversary of its creation. The epoch making events presented a veritable opportunity to reappraise the governor’s giant strides anchored on peace and good governance, despite the avalanche of challenges befalling the state and the country.

The Economic Confidential in its 2019 Annual States Viability Index, released on July 26, 2020, listed Enugu among the six (6) economically viable states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations. Listed alongside Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kwara and Kaduna as viable states, Enugu, which, according to the index report, generated N31 billion compared to Federation Account Allocation (FAA) of N103 billion representing 29 percent, was good enough to beat all oil producing states except Rivers.

A few months ago, precisely on May 22, 2020, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) published its 2019 states’ ranking in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). One of the states which recorded impressive performances, according to the report, was Enugu.

Enugu State, with no oil, was the 9th best performing state in terms of IGR. Its slightly over N31billion was also good enough to beat all oil producing states except Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom.

Prior to these remarkable ratings, Enugu State was rated by the World Bank Group as the second most advanced state in Nigeria on the Ease of Doing Business and third on the Ease of Starting Business. The state was listed by BudgIT alongside Lagos and Rivers as the only three states out of the 36 states of the federation that have fulfilled obligations to their workers. It was also listed among the seven states that are solvent with impressive over 30 percent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund additional economic activities, by Economic Confidential. Equally of note is the report of the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria, which listed Enugu as the fifth most competitive state in Nigeria, and the third most debt sustainable state in Nigeria. It is also on record that Enugu was rated as the first state in Nigeria to publish its Audited State Final Account for three consecutive years; first in the South East geo-political zone and ninth in the country based on IGR as against federal allocation.

What makes these records outstanding is that just four years earlier when Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State took over the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2015, the country was in recession, following the drastic drop in crude oil prices in the international market.

Consequently, the state with its lean resources was confronted with paucity of funds, high inherited debt profile and other huge wage bills to be serviced. The economic realities were daunting that many were of the opinion that it was not the best time to be a governor.

The country’s economic challenges adversely affected the states’ allocations from the federation account, to the extent that there were limited funds to attend to development issues and other sundry needs of the public.

Enugu’s purse grew leaner as federal allocations dwindled to an all-time low – a source of worry the past governor of the state, Mr. Sullivan Chime acknowledged during a thanksgiving Mass to commemorate the end of his administration.

This posed a serious threat to the speedy actualisation of the governor’s vision for the state as contained in his administration’s four-point agenda.

The situation was so dire that 27 states, excluding Enugu, could not pay workers’ salaries, let alone embark on capital projects. One by one, governors resorted to bailout funds unlike their predecessors who had access to the excess crude oil funds which enabled them to execute capital projects.

Despite all the challenges, Ugwuanyi remained undaunted and focused in his vision to build the Enugu State of the founding fathers’ dream, where everybody irrespective of class, religion or political association is given equal right and access to dividends of democracy, in a peaceful and secure environment.

Consequently, his administration has been championing an unprecedented rural development drive which has made it possible for the rural dwellers and the long-neglected communities to enjoy democracy dividends in a way they have never experienced before.

But five years down the line, Gov. Ugwuanyi through his sound vision, administrative ingenuity, peace and good governance initiatives, has turned the tide for the better. The results of his sheer dexterity and commitment are evident in his five-year stewardship, some of which are highlighted below:

ROADS:
*Constructed/rehabilitated over 600km of roads across the state, mostly in the rural areas.
*Rehabilitated and remodeled the ancient, historic and undulating 11km Milliken Hill-Ngwo-9th Mile road.
*Constructed the 12km Opi-Nsukka dual carriageway up to University of Nigeria (UNN) gate
*Constructed the Ebonyi River Bridge, Ikem
*Constructed the 31km Udenu Ring road with two high-tech bridges
*Rehabilitated the Iva Valley roads in Enugu North LGA
*Constructed the 8.8km Nkalagu-Eha Amufu road in Isi-Uzo LGA, neglected for over 35 years
*The construction of the 26.66km Ukpabi-Nimbo-Ugbene Ajima-Eziani road in Uzo-Uwani LGA (RAMP-2)
*The construction of the 22.443km Neke-Mbu-Ogbodu Aba-Obollo Etiti inter-community road linking Isi-Uzo and Udenu LGAs (RAMP-2)

* The 16km erosion ravaged Eha-Ulo/Eha-Etiti/Eha-Ndiagu-Mbu road and 24km Premier Junction-Umabor-Mbu road (RAMP-2), covering 40km, being constructed across thick forests and difficult terrains.

*The ongoing 8.580km road project linking Ihe with Ogbaku Town in Awgu Local Government Area (RAMP-2)
*Constructed the 13km Nike Lake junction-Harmony Estate-Amorji Nike-Adoration Pilgrimage Centre-Orie Emene road linking the ever-busy Abakpa Nike with Emene satellite town in Enugu East LGA
*Reconstructed the Nike Lake Road and Abakpa Nike Road in Enugu East LGA, which were marred by traffic gridlock in the past
*Constructed the Amaeke-Ngwo-Nsude-9th Mile and Amankwo-Amaeke-Amah Brewery Junction-9th Mile bypasses in Udi LGA
*Reconstructed the Airport Roundabout/Orie-Emene/St. Patrick’s College/Eke-Obinagu Road in Enugu East LGA
*Reconstructed the Enugu Road (Nsukka) Junction-Umuezebi-Nru Junction-University Gate road, the Post Office Roundabout-Odenigbo Roundabout-Ogurugu Road-Ikenga road and the Obechara Road Junction-Umakashi-Mechanic Village-Ikenga Hotels Junction road, all in the University town of Nsukka.
*Constructed the 8.2km Inyi-Akpugoeze road in Oji River LGA
*Constructed the Ituku Road in Awgu LGA and the Amurri road in Nkanu West LGA
*Simultaneously executed 35 grassroots development projects across the 17 LGAs
*Rehabilitated urban and rural roads in Emene, Abakpa-Nike, 9th Mile Corner and the University town of Nsukka
*Rehabilitated more internal roads in the University town of Nsukka, covering over 11km.
*Rehabilitated the old UNTH-Bunker road, Enugu; constructed the Holy Trinity Street -Bishop Michael Eneje Street, Independence Layout; Mount Crescent, GRA; Orofia Street, off Nza Street, Independence Layout; Dental School-Tipper Garage road Trans Ekulu, Enugu; Ugwuaji-Loma Linda-Timber Shed road, Maryland, Enugu; Nwafia Street, Independence Layout; Mbanefo Street, New Haven; The Secretariat Road, G.R.A; Court Avenue by new State Secretariat; Ibuza Street at Independence Layout; Isi Uzo Street at Independence Layout; Owerri Road; Poly Clinic Road, Asata; Carter Street, off Ogui Road, etc.

BUILDINGS:
*Renovated the House of Assembly Complex
*Rehabilitated and re-asphalted the popular Michael Okpara Square, Enugu
*Completed the new Lion Building, Government House, Enugu, with additional works such as landscaping and installation of floodlights and security lights
*Renovated the Deputy Governor’s office, Abuja Building, parking lots, and fuel Dump, within the premises of the Government House, Enugu, among others
*Ongoing completion work on the International Conference Centre, Enugu
*Construction of the first phase of the Enugu State Secretariat annex in Nsukka satellite town
*Construction of the Nsukka Township Stadium
*Fencing and massive works of arts at the Unity Park, formerly known as Forest Reserve, Enugu, to serve as a tourist attraction and a place for relaxation and recreation
*Construction of 10 units of Executive Guest House at the old Governor’s Lodge, G.R.A, Enugu, for routine guests of the state government
*Construction of first Christian Chapel of Worship at the Government House, Enugu
*Remodeling of the Old Government Lodge and construction of Annex, GRA, Enugu
*Construction of 24 units of Guest Flats at Old Government Lodge, GRA, Enugu

 

RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
*Uncommon rural development policy, concentrating more infrastructure in the rural and long-neglected communities, such as simultaneously executed 35 grassroots development projects across the 17 LGAs and the N10 million “one community, one project” scheme in each of the 471 autonomous communities in the state

HEALTH SECTOR:
*Completed the state-of-the-art Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre, Enugu
*Construction and renovation of district hospitals and health centres in the state, especially in the rural areas under the primary healthcare programme
*Upgraded Udi District Hospital and Poly Clinic, Asata to General Hospitals, after their rehabilitation
*Constructed a Tertiary Hospital in Igbo-Eno, Enugu North Senatorial District, to serve as one of the facilities for the ESUT College of Medicine that has been relocated to Nsukka.

*Massive construction/reconstruction of the Enugu State Infectious Disease Hospital, Enugu, formerly known as Colliery Hospital Enugu, for isolation and treatment of patients with infectious diseases.

*Launch of the Universal Health Coverage
*Intervened and integrated faith-based rural health facilities into the Free Maternal and Child Health Programme
*Massive construction of 7 units of Type 3 Primary Health Care Centre in 7 LGAs, and upgrade and rehabilitation of the General Hospital Ogrute, Enugu Ezike, and Nsukka District Hospital, among others.

* Ongoing massive construction of a Specialist Hospital for the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno, in Enugu North Senatorial District.

*Site clearing for the construction of 2 nos. 12-classroom faculty buildings, 2 nos. 10-classroom faculty buildings and 2 nos. 8-classroom faculty buildings, for the ESUT College of Medicine, in Igbo-Eno, adjacent to the Specialist Hospital, as well as the ongoing construction of industrial water borehole projects.

*Construction of Cottage Hospital with isolation wing in Awgu, Oji River, Ogrute (Enugu Ezike) General Hospitals, and also in Orba, Udenu LGA

RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
*Released N350 million to the state’s COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Rapid Response Team
*Establishment of Isolation and Treatment Centres for COVID-19 in Nsukka and the ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu
*Equipped the ultra-modern Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre and designated it as an isolation and treatment centre

*Massive reconstruction and construction of new structures at the Colliery Hospital, Enugu, now an Infectious Disease Isolation and Treatment Centre
*Approved welfare packages for all health workers in the state as incentive to battle COVID-19
*Purchased two additional ambulances and one incident vehicle
*Enforcement of the Presidential directives on nationwide curfew and inter-state movement restriction order.
*Rehabilitation of facilities and provision of essential supplies in 34 health facilities across the 17 LGAs, to scale up delivery of linked services and preparedness against community spread of COVID-19 pandemic by the Enugu State Save One Million Lives (SOML) Project.

*Life assurance policy for frontline workers

*Distribution of palliatives to persons, vulnerable groups, poorest of the poor and religious groups.

*Granted tax relief and incentives to taxpayers in the state to cushion the adverse economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents, especially ordinary masses.

WORKERS’ WELFARE:
*Enhancement of civil servants’ welfare
*Among the first to implement the new Minimum Wage in Nigeria
*Regular payment of workers’ salaries on the 23rd of every month and retirees’ pensions before the end of the month
*Payment of the 13th month salary to workers as Christmas bonus
*Payment of 54 percent equity contribution for 100 lucky civil servants who won the 100 units one bedroom apartments at Elim Estate, Enugu through open lottery.

SECURITY:
*Procured and donated 100 units of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) patrol vans with communication gadgets to the security agencies to aid their operations
*Employed 1,700 Forest Guards, first in the South East geo-political zone
*Repositioned the Vigilante/Neighbourhood Watch groups and purchased 260 security vehicles for their Community Policing operations.
*Procured and distributed 260 motorcycles and 300 bicycles to the 260 electoral wards in the state, to complement and facilitate the operations of the Forest Guards
*Construction of the 76 Police Mobile Force Squadron Facility at Ekwegbe, Igbo-Etiti LGA

FIRE SERVICE:
*Procured five (5) IVM fire-fighting trucks for the five ultra modern fire service stations across the three senatorial districts of the state, newly constructed by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, after 56 years
*Recruited 66 firefighters to the workforce of the state fire service and provided them with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for safety, etc.

INTERVENTIONS IN THE STATE JUDICIARY:
*Constructed the first Enugu State Customary Court of Appeal Headquarters complex in Enugu
*Construction of 14 new court buildings and open registries in the judicial divisions and magisterial districts across the state
*Construction of 34 modern Customary Courts across the state, two (2) per LGA
*Massive renovation of the State Judiciary Headquarters complex, Enugu
*Renovated the former DAD Building Enugu and converted same to the State Ministry of Justice Headquarters
*Establishment of Multi-Door Court House in Enugu, among other interventions.

EDUCATION:
*Recruited over 5000 primary and secondary school teachers
*Constructed, renovated and equipped 897 classroom blocks and other school projects under Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB).
*Procured and distributed 22,150 lockers and 22,150 chairs for primary school children, 1,228 tables, 1,228 arm chairs and 2,456 armless chairs for the teachers, as well as 1130 marker boards for teaching and 1,960 ceiling fans, for conducive learning environment (under ENSUBEB)
*Procured and distributed 12, 480 writing desks and chairs for primary school pupils in the state and 868 tables and chairs for teachers to improve the standard of learning (ENSUBEB).
*Massive construction and reconstruction of classroom blocks, offices and hostels in the secondary schools across the six education zones of the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB)
*Supplied Science equipment to 135 secondary schools (under PPSMB)
*Supplied and installed computers to 200 secondary schools (under PPSMB)
*Converted 1,000 volunteer teachers to permanent staff and release of all outstanding arrears of promotion to date (under PPSMB)
*Initiated a process for the construction and renovation of more classroom blocks
*Ongoing construction of the state-of-the-art administrative building of the first degree-awarding institution in Education in the South East zone, the Enugu State University of Education in Ihe, Awgu LGA, established by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration to serve as a centre for training of teachers for primary, secondary and tertiary education.
*Massive infrastructural development and upgrade of facilities in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu
*Transition of IMT into a degree-awarding institution and the holding of its first convocation, after 11 years
*Numerous education transformational interventions in other state-owned tertiary institutions, namely the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); the Enugu State College of Education Technical (ESCET); and the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo.

EMPOWERMENT:
*Empowered 3,600 traders with N50,000 each under the Enugu State Traders Empowerment Scheme
*Empowered 750 youths in skills acquisition under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme
*Offered scholarship to 680 indigent engineering students of Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, Ezeagu L.G.A. and the IMT, Enugu
*Awarded scholarship to 22 post-secondary school indigent students presently studying at Mewar University, India
*Engaged 1000 youths to clean up the state, under Enugu Clean Team Project, with additional 1000 workers underway

* Granted Bursary allowance to 246 students of the state at the Nigeria Law School.

* Waived the payment of Personal Income Tax as well as Market Tax, for all traders in the major markets of the state, since the inception of the administration, in May 2015, with a recent resolve to sustain the pro-poor policies till the end of the tenure.

AGRICULTURE, WATER, HOUSING, INVESTMENT PROMOTION
*Procured twenty (20) tractors for Mechanized Agriculture
*Launched the Coal City Rice, Enugu – a highly sought-after staple in the South East and beyond
*Approved the establishment of two World Bank projects, namely IFAD and APPEALS programme for women and youths agricultural empowerment and pays the state’s counterpart funds regularly.
*Rehabilitated facilities at Ajali and Oji River Water Treatment Schemes which has consequentially improved the supply of water to Enugu metropolis and its environs
*HELIU Residence project – a world class Residential Estate with infrastructure worth N25 billion embarked upon by the state government in partnership with Fit-Consult and China Shenyang International Economic and Technical Cooperation Limited, Shenyang, China through Public Private Partnership (PPP) to provide quality and affordable houses to address the accommodation deficit in Enugu because of high inflow of people into the state.
*Site and services of Valley Estate, GRA, Enugu; WTC Estate; Victory Estate; Trinity Estate; Fidelity Estate adjacent to the popular Ebeano Tunnel with massive erosion /flood control work, Diamond Estate, Rangers Estate, among others.
*The Enugu Industrial Park – FTZ (ENPOWER Free Trade Zone) at the 9thMile Corner, Enugu, to be known as Lion Business Park, modeled after the Dragon Market in Dubai.

SPORTS:
*Gov. Ugwuanyi’s love and support for sports saw Rangers International Football Club of Enugu lifting both the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title after 32 years and 2018 AITEO Cup after 35 years

ECONOMIC RATINGS:

*Rated among the six (6) economically viable states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations, by Economic Confidential.
*Rated as the second most advanced state in Nigeria on the Ease of Doing Business by the World Bank Group.
*9th best performing state in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the year 2019.
*Best state in the judicious utilization of the bailout funds (Senate Verdict)
*Enugu listed alongside Lagos and Rivers as the only three states out of the 36 states of the federation that have fulfilled obligations to their workers (BudgIT).
*Listed among the seven states that are solvent with impressive over 30 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund additional economic activities (Economic Confidential magazine verdict).
*The fifth most competitive state in Nigeria, according to the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria
*The third most debt sustainable State in Nigeria
*The first state in Nigeria to publish its Audited State Final Account for consecutive three years.
*First in the South East geo-political zone and ninth in the country based on IGR as against Federal Allocation.
*One of the twelve states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations.

*AND STILL COUNTING…

Enugu State is in the hands of God!