EBONYI State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, is an uncommon young turk blazing the governance trail quietly without the usual fervent fanfare and the flames of self idolization associated with Nigerian politicians with his unparalleled achievements in less than two years in office.
At just 48 years old, Governor Francis Nwifuru is a young and dynamic leader who has made a significant impact on the development of Ebonyi State. His quiet and humble approach to governance has yielded impressive results, earning him recognition as one of the most progressive governors in modern Nigerian history. Nwifuru’s manifesto, “People’s Charter of Needs,” has guided his policies and projects, focusing primarily on empowering the youth, restoring security, strengthening healthcare, and promoting education.
As part of his policy thrust, Nwifuru has embarked on the program of empowering 100 youths from each of the 13 local government areas with N2 million each for skills acquisition towards cushioning the prevalent economic condition that has presently become a global epidemic in recent times. For the Governor, the only way to combat unremitting hunger, age-long poverty and joblessness over the years is for the government to invest in small-scale businesses (SMB), which is the assurance that the only purpose of government is to protect lives and property. Already, the governor has approved and released a N5 billion empowerment package of N2 million each for 1,500 young Ebonyians involved in street hawking and other menial jobs.
Before he assumed office, one of the major drawbacks of the state was the collapse of the security architecture and the citizens’ unwillingness to trust successive governments to stave off security challenges. From the very beginning, Nwifuru showed that he was prepared for governance with the speed with which he addressed the security challenge confronting the state on assumption of office. He immediately appointed special assistants on security for the 13 local government areas and three senior special assistants on security for the senatorial districts.
Swiftly, Nwifuru directed the security agencies to confront hoodlums who paraded as “unknown gunmen” and wantonly terrorized the state on a daily basis. With the necessary materials and encouragements given to the security agencies, some of the hoodlums were neutralized in a matter of days, while many others were arrested. It was obvious from all indications that he would run a people-centered administration and this is being felt in the areas of poverty alleviation, infrastructural development, health and education reforms, job creation, internal security and ease of doing business, among others.
The first major pronouncement of the governor was a directive for the strengthening of the health system through the recruitment of 195 health professionals for the general hospitals. Similarly, he directed the recruitment of personnel for the civil service. “Currently, the state civil service commission is recruiting 1,454 personnel in different fields and cadres for the state civil and public service. On the heels of the removal of fuel subsidies, the governor quickly increased workers’ pay by N10, 000 to cushion the effect of the federal government policy.
The other celebratory achievement of the Nwifuru-led administration was the approval of the payment of arrears of gratuity to retired civil servants from 1996 to 2021. For 25 years, successive administrations did not pay attention to the plight of retirees but Nwifuru earmarked a whopping N4.3 billion for this purpose. The State Executive Council also directed the resolution of all issues regarding the pensions of retirees without further delay.
It was reported early in the year that the governor gave lifeline to Ebonyi State University (EBSU) by increasing the state government’s monthly subvention to the institution. Aside from paying two months in retrospect, the N300 million owed to the university by the previous administration was also released to it promptly. Governor Nwifuru further approved bursaries for Ebonyi indigenous law school students and made EBSU approve the payment of school fees by students in instalments.
For years, water taps in Abakaliki, the state capital, remained dry. But it has been reported that the water schemes have been reactivated to supply water to the capital city and its environs. Commissioner for Water Resources, Leonard Nkah, assured in a live radio programme that the taps have started flowing. Another area in which the governor has also made giant strides is the awarding of road construction contracts. They include the 4.5km New Mile 50 internal road, which is nearing completion; 41km road from Obubara Junction to Oferekpe; 19km Obvudechi–Iziogo road; 31. 827km Oferekpe–Agbaja road; 12.81km Ishieke Odomoke Ekebiligwe–Isophu–Nworie road; 1.3km Ebonyi Agro Dealers’ Market Road Onuebonyi; Ogboenyi road off Ndibe Beach Road, Afikpo; Itara–Dr. Akanu Ibiam–Oyoyo–Erei Road.
The governor also approved the construction of 2km roads in every community in the state, as he promised during the electioneering. The rehabilitation of Alo Street/Nwele street/Ezza road in Abakaliki, is also nearing completion. Moreover, Governor Nwifuru established the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency for the state and appointed a Director General to head it. He released the first tranche of N50m for the agency to support small businesses. As we speak, the sensitization team of the agency has visited all thirteen LGAs in its bid to galvanize the people into getting involved in skills and small businesses.
Closely related to the foregoing is the rehabilitation of the Moribund Ebonyi Building Materials Factory at Ezzamgbo and the reactivation of the fertilizer blending plant at Onuebonyi. One sore point of the government is its faltering disposition in managing waste generated in the capital city. Interestingly, the Governor has approved the expansion of the Umuoghara Pulverization Plant to accommodate a recycling component and explore ways of benefiting from the waste-to-wealth potential of the recycled waste.
Prior to his assumption of office, Ebonyi was riddled with various intra- and inter communal crises, but Governor Nwifuru has initiated measures to resolve all the lingering crises. He constituted peace and reconciliation committees made up of reputable persons, including the Bishop Emeritus of Abakaliki Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Nnachi Okoro. The different committees have recorded some success stories in their assignments. Aware of the humanitarian issues in the state, the governor has also directed the resettlement of the displaced persons in the Amanze and Izzo communities, as well as in Izzi and Abakaliki, by building 280 bungalows for them. The process of erecting 140 low-cost bungalows at Amanze and Izzo communities has taken off, while the second phase of another 140 units for Izzi and Abakaliki communities is also in progress.
Beyond anything else, the young and energetic Governor Francis Nwifuru has shown prudence in the people-oriented governance structure he established in the state in the face of an enormous financial burden in less than two years in office. His Midas’ touch on Ebonyi State would be reflected in his visionary quest to build an enviable and modern state on the hills of lean resources, efficiently deployed for the greater good of greater numbers of his people.
Erasmus Ikhide contributed this piece via: ikhideluckyerasmus@gmail.com.
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