One Anniversary in Office: Gains of the Administration of President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru in Focus

One Anniversary in Office: Gains of the Administration of President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru in Focus

Written by the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ebonyi State, Hon. Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha

Going back in history, precisely, the year 1999 which marked the return of civilian rule in Nigeria after a very turbulent era of successive military regimes, 29th May has remained symbolic as it continues to refresh the people’s memories and their experiences in the hands of different military dictators and the uncontrollable leap of joy that followed the enthronement of democracy.

Before 2018 when the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari moved democracy day celebration in Nigeria to June 12th, in honour of Moshood Abiola; the acclaimed winner of the country’s most accepted presidential election of 1993 which was annulled by the then military head of state, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, 29th May used to host an intertwined event of democracy day and inauguration of the newly elected leaders or anniversaries of the old ones.

The separation of the interlaced event about six years ago, gave way for the dedication of the date solely for the commemoration of years in office by leaders at different levels.

On May 29th last year, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, took oath of office alongside 28 State Governors, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi inclusive with their pledges to volunteer untainted democratic governance in accordance with the constitution and other extant laws of the land to the citizenry.

Excitingly, one year down the lane, Nigerians are celebrating President Tinubu’s ingenious and proactive leadership especially, in weathering the storm that came with fuel subsidy removal.

Through painstaking and calculated interventions such as Conditional Cash Transfer Program, declaration of a state of emergency on agriculture with the release of thousands of Metric Tonnes of grains to Nigerians to mitigate the impending hungers as well as distribution of farm inputs to Farmers to encourage agriculture as the only sure way to guarantee food security, provisional wage award of N35,000 to workers, students Loan to mention but a few, the president has achieved giant strides.

It is heart warming to say that the tempest of subsidy removal is gradually carving in and creating a reassuring economy for the overall good of the people.

Unarguably, Mr President has proven his deep understanding of the algorithm of governance with special reference to promptly tackling insecurity and this has promoted growth and development in the nation.

The distinct traits is availing Mr President the required approach in tackling the starring security challenges in the country such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping among other crimes that are eroding the peace, safety and conducive environment in different areas and gradually depleting the country’s economy and depriving her citizens their peace of minds.

In the same vain, Ebonyi State, the Salt of the nation, a geographical enclave blessed with lots of natural resources, including fertile land for agricultural purposes, the one year anniversary brings relishing memories due to the fact that the chief servant and Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has demonstrated competence in paddling the canoe of the state through accountability and boldness in addressing the people’s needs in sincerity to his electioneering campaign mantra, “PEOPLE’S CHATTER OF NEEDS.

Within the year in retrospect, Governor Nwifuru has recorded a catalogue of achievements in all sectors of the economy; including agriculture, health, education, security, transportation, infrastructure and many more, using the People’s Charter of Needs compass as a veritable and progressive guide.

In the civil service for instance, there are astonishing transformations as many say it is an era of fresh air. The first of its kind in the recent past in the state for workers.
From salary increment, christmas bonus of N100,000 per Workers, elongation of retirement age of teachers, lifting ban on employment to payment of gratuities to pensioners from 1996 till date.

The people can never pray for a better leader than their quintessential and promise keeping father, His Excellency, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.

As a thoroughbred and ingenious leader who has an intimidating and well sought-after academic record, Governor Nwifuru on assumption of office did not hesitate to revamp the moribund Ebonyi State scholarship board as a vehicle that has transported thousands of Ebonyi people to acquire different levels of post graduate degrees both in Nigeria and abroad for self improvement and advancement for greater productivity.

Furthermore, the prestigious Ebonyi State University has been repositioned through increased monthly subvention from 200,000 million to 280,000 million Naira while the state of infrastructure in the tertiary institution has witnessed a facelift for better academic performance.
The timely and commendable mediation also came with the reduction of students’ school fees. Similarly, primary and secondary schools were not left out as they also received strategic measures of interventions to ensure better teaching and learning environment.

Considering the momentous and calculated revolutions in the health sector under the vigilant and benevolent leadership of Governor Nwifuru it is most appropriate to bring to light the recruitment of some medical personnel, repositioning of the 13 general hospitals and 171 Primary Healthcare Centers in the state, introduction of Health Insurance Scheme and so on.

Similarly, the pet project christened Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons (BERWO) of the office of the first lady of the state, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Uzoamaka Mary-Mauduline Ogbonna Nwifuru deserves a special recognition. BERWO has addressed the issues surrounding female genital mutilation and other barbaric acts against the vulnerable in the society. Her human oriented achievements recently earned her a prestigious award as the Best Performing First Lady in Nigeria courtesy of African Iconic Women Recognition Awards (AIWRA).

Beyond rhetorics, His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has left a prepossessing dots on the economy by empowering 50 Ebonyi hawkers cross the country with a non refundable sum of 50billion naira. Again, a healthy taxation template that exempts low income business owners from paying tax was introduced by the people’s leader.

True to his mantra of making the agrarian state in the South East of Nigeria, Ebonyi flourish beyond boundaries, Governor Nwifuru revitalised the moribund Ebonyi poultry Farm which has employed both skilled and unskilled workers and also provides the poultry needs of the inhabitants and beyond.

In the same breath, the present administration doggedly energised the Ebonyi state Fertilizer Chemical Company by injecting resources that led to subsidising the cost of fertilizer for farmers.

The government of Nwifuru also engages in periodic exposure of farmers to the latest agronomic practices and as well makes other farm inputs timely available.
Today the state prides itself on feeding her people and contributing significantly to the nation’s food sufficiency.

Although his successor, His Excellency Senator David Nweze Umahi now minister of Works invested tremendously on infrastructure, the government of Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has sustained the tempo by constructing new ones and also maintaining old structures.

The attendant effect of these friendly transformations have crippled insecurity and ushered in a new dawn of economic prosperity and sustainability in the state.

Having taken account of the Governor’s stewardship, Ebonyi people are not only astonished but they are optimistic that his famous legacies would remain unsurmountable for decades to come.

To record more impressive works at both the Federal and State levels, it is expected that citizens would be more resilient in their patriotic efforts by giving unfiltered support to their committed and determined leaders to paint every street with irresistible and incredible colours.

Bravo to all Nigerians and Ebonyi people in particular, for making the best decision a year ago in history.

And CONGRATULATIONS!!! to our amiable leaders.