Celebrating The Pragmatic Governor At 55
FIFTY-FIVE years ago, precisely on March 20, 1964, the family of Mr. David and Mrs Veronica Ugwuanyi of Ohom Orba in the present Udenu Local Council of Enugu State was blessed with a baby boy. The coincidence of his birth with the Lenten period influenced the choice of his name. He was christened Lawrence in addition to an Igbo name, Ifeanyichukwu, meaning ‘Nothing is impossible with God.’
The philosophical and spiritual connotation of ‘Ifeanyichukwu’ has continued to manifest in the life of Enugu State governor till date. Just like his siblings, Ugwuanyi was brought up in a God-fearing way, clothed with humility, taciturnity, intelligence, honesty and diligence. Growing up among his peers, he shone like a star both in academic and extra-curricular activities during his primary, secondary, tertiary education and even in leadership positions
Ugwuanyi is endowed with exemplary leadership qualities that began to manifest early in his life as a secondary school student at St. Theresa’s College, Nsukka. After his secondary education, he secured admission into the Nigeria’s foremost university, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Masters (M.SC.) degree in Marketing majoring in Public Relations. In his quest for more knowledge and exposure, he went further to acquire MBA degree in Finance and Accountancy from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
While his colleagues were scrambling for white collar jobs, within and outside the country, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who had always believed and preferred working for his people picked a job at Premier Brokers Limited, a prime insurance firm in the Southeast zone owned by five states of the zone and African Continental Bank (ACB). After years of excellent performance, he rose to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Premier Broking Firm. In 2002, he became the 16th president of the Rotary Club of Emene, Enugu. It was at this point that his exceptional philanthropy to the downtrodden and less-privileged in the society came to public notice. Without hesitation and in appreciation of his rare philanthropic gestures, the people of his town, in an elaborate traditional ceremony conferred on him the title of
of Orba, meaning the “man of the people.”
Satisfied with his leadership exploits and track record in service, Ugwuanyi’s people beckoned on him to offer himself for political office. His foray in murky water of Nigerian politics commenced with his quest to become the chairman of his local council, Udenu. Despite losing the opportunity to political intrigues, Ugwuanyi remained undaunted and focused on his political pursuits, banking on God and his people’s support. In 2003, true to Ugwuanyi’s expectation and hope, the political opportunity came calling as he won the ticket of Peoples Democratic Party to contest for Igbo-eze North/ Udenu Federal Constituency seat. He overwhelmingly won the election and his constituents enjoyed his representation. He was reelected in 2007 and 2011 making him the longest serving House of Representatives member in the whole of Enugu State, before 2015 elections. While in the House of Representatives, he moved so many motions and initiated some peopleoriented bills. He also chaired and cochaired some many committees, including Marine Transport committee he chaired for eight years.
This record of performance while in the House of Representatives for more than a decade rubbed off on Ugwuanyi’s desire to contest for Enugu State governorship seat on PDP platform, as it received massive support and accolades across the state. Ugwuanyi won the election comfortably, but with his party, PDP’S loss of the presidency for the first time since 1999, he became the first governor of the state to be elected on opposition party platform.
Notwithstanding, Gov. Ugwuanyi on assumption of office in the face of obvious daunting financial challenges in 2015, handed over the affairs of the state to God, who made his victory and every other thing is possible.
Before anyone could say Jack Robison, Ugwuanyi and his team have quickly turned things around and set the state on the path of greatness to the amazement of many. The state, despite not being oil producing state or rank high in monthly federation allocation became a reference point in financial and human resources management, courtesy of Ugwuanyi’s prudence and transparency.
Within a short period, Gov. Ugwuanyi by his leadership style which is result-driven, proved that leading a state without much resources is not a rocket science as some of his colleagues have Nigerians to believe. He became governor of many feats. His popularity soared and testimonies of his goodness and startling performance in office abound within and outside the state. Among the workers, pensioners, security agents, religious leaders, artisans, residents, visitors and others, Gov. Ugwuanyi’s government is popular and acceptable, because of its good governance and people-oriented programmes. It was for this reason that four national dailies independently found Ugwuanyi worthy of honour with different unprecedented awards at the same time.
Even in the face of remarkable performance in office and the myriad of accolades that have continued to trail it, Ugwuanyi was not carried away, rather he has remained humble and focused on his job. At the peak of his campaign for reelection, he went to the grassroots to solicit for votes from traders in markets, artisans on the streets, and residents at their homes. Since his reelection on March 9, Gov. Ugwuanyi has also physically returned to the markets and streets with his team to thank the voters for their support and at the same time assured them of better days ahead with their support and prayers.
The ease, peacefulness and massive votes of which Ugwuanyi was reelected for second term speak volume of his performance, popularity and acceptance by the people in the state. It is a clear indicator of the renewed confidence and trust the people had in him to steer the ship of the state in next four years. It has also shown that Ugwuanyi is not only at home with his people, he is accessible by them and of assistance to them in time of needs and wants.
The coincidence of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s reelection, with that of his birthday and the Lenten period is an eloquent testimony of God’s presence in his life and plans for higher leadership responsibility for him in the years ahead. It is divine and a continuous fulfilment of God’s agenda in a good man’s life which no man or evil can stop. While it is expected that friends and well-wishers of the governor will roll out drums today to celebrate him amidst fanfare and razzmatazz, Gov. Ugwuanyi will in his usual manner celebrate it at orphanage homes with the orphans and less privileged, having directed his well-wishers and friends to take their gifts to the place. Low key celebration at orphanage homes has been the governor’s way of celebrating his birthday for years now. He has not changed it and he is not changing it, knowing how God took him from grass to grace.
His Excellency, birthday is a new start, a fresh beginning and a time to pursue new endeavours with new goals. Trudge on with confidence and confidence, you are a very special person to your people. May today and all your days be amazing, prosperous and fulfilling as you sincerely and selflessly serve humanity. True to your name Ifeanyichukwu, Nothing will be impossible with God in your life. Hurray and many more rewarding years ahead, the indefatigable leader at 55.