I WILL ADVANCE GOV. UGWUANYI’S LEGACIES -ENUGU PDP GUBER ASPIRANT, DR KINGSLEY UDEH



By Ikenna Ngene
Enugu: The former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Development Aid Mobilization and Coordination, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh Esq, has stated that he will maintain the legacies laid by the out going governor of Enugu State, if elected as the next Governor of Enugu State.
Dr Udeh, who is aspiring for the office of Governor of Enugu State under the platform of the PDP, made this known during an interview with newsmen in his office.
He stated that what he has learnt from Gov. Ugwuanyi is worth replicating if he enters office; ” I want to say that maintaining Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s legacies is what I intend doing, if I emerge as the governor of the state. Gburugburu led administration has ensured that there is peace in Enugu, even at this trying time in our history, and that is what I shall maintain”.
Dr Udeh, who said he has gained experiences and has what it takes to govern the state maintained that at this time, the state needs someone like him to take Enugu to another level.
His word,” I have been mentored in delivering democratic dividends, i have served in professional bodies not just in Enugu but within the country and beyond. I have worked as a development expert with international organizations in the areas of public procurement and policy and public financial management.
” I have equally consulted for the World Bank, Africa Development Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, and European Union. I am a technocrat, highly skilled, and having been in the political system have given me understanding about the state”.
Hon Udeh who said he is strong, vibrant and energetic noted that in this era where everything is going digital, that it is only someone like him that has what it takes to lead a state he called the capital of Eastern Nigeria;
” I am a very young man full of energy. I am in my early 40’s. Precisely, I shall clock 42 years in November, this year. I am not too young to be the governor of Enugu State. Infact, if President Macron of France could be president before his 40th birthday I can be a governor”.
“My selling point is my acceptability. To the youths, they see me as one of them; the face of the New Enugu State. To the old, they see me as their son and their own. So, I represent both youth and the elders.
On job creation and youth empowerment; “My vision for youth empowerment is Education, education, education. With proper education, the youths shall be empowered to create jobs and take advantage of available opportunities”
Dr Udeh, an accomplished academic, also x-rayed his contributions to Academia, both in Nigeria and beyond.
“I have taught in different Universities in Nigeria, including Baze University, Abuja, the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, where I’m still a Visiting Lecturer and most of services there are rendered Pro Bono, as part of my giving back to the school, which is my Alma mater.
“I’m still part of the faculty of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa where I contribute to its advancement through research.
He was of the view that for Enugu to go higher, the footprint of the current administration should be upheld;
“I cannot stop talking about peace because without peace there can be no infrastructural development or any other form of good governance. Today, there is turmoil everywhere, even Kaduna state where we have key military establishments, is under constant attacks. If you come to the South East, we have security challenges. But Enugu has maintained relative peace, and I give the credit to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. His style of governance has ensured peace in the state. You can see the effort of the governor to maintain peace in his speech, listenership and response to the people. He doesn’t dismiss agitations, he listens”.
Continuing, he commended Governor Ugwuanyi for his achievements in rural development;
“His Excellency has done well in rural development in the areas of roads, education, and I must not forget the flyover at Nike. These things are worth maintaining”, Dr Udeh said.