Enugu: Nenwe Town in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, represented by her stakeholders as well as community leaders comprising four autonomous communities and twenty nine villages was at Lion Building, the Enugu State Government’s seat of power, on Saturday, to pay a solidarity visit to the Enugu State Governor, His Excellency Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi.

They poured encomiums on Governor Ugwuanyi for his uncommon leadership style, development strides in the state, peaceful disposition, proactive security interventions, political empowerments and educational facilities in the community as well as his approach to governance which is anchored on fear of God, vision, love, peace, humility and generosity.

Firstly, Hon Israel Odinaka Ani, Esq, the Administrator, Aninri West Local Government Development Council, Nenwe, as leader of the delegation, introduced key personalities that were on the entourage.

Presenting a communiqué issued by Nenwe Stakeholders after a crucial meeting at Aninri West Development Centre, Nenwe, Air-Vice Marshal Christian Chukwu, Rtd., informed Gov. Ugwuanyi that the people of Nenwe are happy with him and “are completely loyal to you Your Excellency”.

AVM Chukwu also noted that Ndị Nenwe appreciate the Governor Ugwuanyi for his response to security issues in Nenwe and for appointing their sons and daughters into various government positions.

“We sincerely appreciate you for seeing that Nenwe produced her first House of Assembly member in this dispensation. We are happy with your relationship with our House of Assembly representative, Hon. Okwu Chinedu and all your appointees from Nenwe town. And we hereby hand them over to you as your sons and daughters”.

Appreciating the governor’s interventions in provision of educational facilities in schools in the community, the Nenwe stakeholders comprising Royal Father, all the Presidents General of the four autonomous communities, all village Chairmen and their executives, academicians, Business Moguls, Artisans, Civil Servants, public office holders, Diasporans, among others, said: “We are witnesses to your numerous developmental projects across all parts of Enugu State, especially some forgotten rural communities.

“We appreciate your peaceful nature, kind heart and your firm belief in God as the leader of the state. Having assessed your Excellency’s approach to governance which is anchored on fear of God, love, humility and generosity, we hereby pass a vote of confidence in the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi”.

The Communiqué also contained requests from Ndị Nenwe namely;

1. Provision of Police or military presence in Nenwe

2. Perimeter fence for Aninri West Development Centre

3. Recruitment of Nenwerians into the state Civil service

4. Tarring of roads in Nenwe

5. Appointment of a Nenwerian as a commissioner, a post which they said has eluded the town till date.

6. Reviving the dilapidated Awgu County School, Nenwe, otherwise known as Awgu High School, Nenwe

In his speech, the member representing Aninri Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Chinedu Okwu (Otaka), eulogized Gov. Ugwuanyi’s leadership qualities describing him as “the most peaceful Governor in Nigeria” and “an uncommon Governor”.

The lawmaker pointed out that this was the first time his people interfaced with a governor in a large number, adding that “it was made possible because we have an accessible Governor”.

“Your Excellency, we thank you so much for this rare opportunity. We can never take it for granted. We are very happy with you because the hands you use in holding us are the hands that made us to come and tell you that we are in solidarity with you.

“Call us in the morning, call us in the afternoon, you will see us. Call us in the night even in the midnight, Your Excellency, we will be there. We want you to give us a directive and you see us carrying it out immediately to the letter. We want to thank you for the things you have done for us and thank you more for the things you have to do after now.

“Your Excellency, our people are very happy with you. Today we have the rank and file; who-is-who in Nenwe are here today. Even those that are not here with us, they are here spiritually because they are aware that we are here”.

Hon Mbude maintained that the governor has done a lot for their people, saying: “Before you came on board as the Executive Governor of Enugu State, we were like people who do not have hope because since the return of democracy, no Nenwe person has gone to the House of Assembly, no Nenwe person has been a Commissioner, no Nenwe person has been a High Court Judge and so many other positions. But when you came on board, Nenwe produced a House of Assembly member for the first time since the return of democracy.

“It is not only him, we also have a High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Nnenna Alukwu, courtesy of you. You did not stop there, you also gave us member of Enugu State Judicial Commission in the person of Mrs. Amaka Alinta Oriaku. We also have a Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mrs, Ada Johnny Nwonye. There are many SSAs, SAs and TAs.

In his response, Governor Ugwuanyi thanked Ndị Nenwe “for their vote of confidence”

“I thank you and other stakeholders in Enugu State for the peace we enjoy in Enugu State, today”.

Governor Ugwuanyi reacted to the issues raised by Ndi Nenwe in their communiqué

On the absence of security personnel in Nenwe, he said, “Section 14.2(b) of the constitution is clear as per why we have Government. I have asked the Local Government Chairmen to have meeting with stakeholders so as to review their security architecture. Each Local Government has its peculiarities.

He also reminded them that each ward in the state had twenty neighborhood watch operatives selected by the communities.

“I always insist that political considerations should not be brought into security matters”.

While assuring them that his Government had done much with regards to security, he asked for the co-operation of everyone since security could not be guaranteed without the involvement of the citizens.

On the perimeter fencing of the Aninri West Development Centre, Nkwu Ezha, Nenwe, the Governor immediately approved the sum of ten million naira for the project which he agreed with all present would be handed over to Igwe Dr. Francis Imo of Agbada-Nenwe, on behalf of the entire Nenwe.

On recruitment into civil service, the Governor had this to say; “I was the one who raised the issue of Aninri needing one more Permanent Secretary.

“I also gave an opening for recruitment into the state Civil service in some areas where we have need but our young people today are more interested in political appointments instead of civil service jobs. However, we shall start recruitment soon, once we are done with a few things we are handling but it all depends on interest; civil service, just like police or Airforce is for those who have the interest”

He also promised to intervene in the issue of roads and boreholes.

On the issue of renovation of Awgu County School, Nenwe, the Governor assured that his Government would give the school, the first secondary school in old Awgu Division, a face lift.

“I shall ask the PPSMB, Post Primary School Management Board to visit Awgu County School, Nenwe to give it the kind of cure they gave some other schools”

The Governor was afterwards entertained with the legendary Ikwirikwo Nenwe cultural dance, which the member representing Aninri in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Engr Chinedu Okwu danced to with superb agility and flexibility, to the applause of all.

Other dignitaries at the event include DIG Godwin Nwobodo, Rtd, Rev Bro Joseph Mba, CsSp, Ikenga (Traditional Prime Minister) Uhueze-Nenwe, Very Rev. Fr. Innocent Chukwuka, CsSp, Prof Gordian Mbah, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Dr. Mrs. Ada Johnny Nwonye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Chief Johnny Nwonye, Barr Mrs. Amaka Alinta Oriaku, Member, Enugu State Judicial Service Commission, Chief CYC Kalụ, Chief Boniface Uzoigwe, Onowu, Agbada-Nenwe and Former Registrar, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Dr Leonard Kama, Former Registrar, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT