GBURUGBURU @ 53: A CELEBRATION OF BENEVOLENCE, CHARITY & PRISON.....by Obori Adaka

When Mr. Amoke, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to His Excellency Gov. Ugwuanyi stated that his 53rd birthday calls for celebration in thanksgiving and appreciation to God for his mercies and kindness to the governor and the people of Enugu State.  When Mr. Amoke touted his sterling qualities of visionary leader with uncommon disposition toward alleviating the sufferings of the poor and underprivileged, describing our beloved Governor as God-fearing personality whose intellectual ability, humility, simplicity, benevolence and penchant for peace and respect stands him out as an epitome of success.  When Mr. Amoke called the Governor a leader committed to charity and alms giving flavored with philanthropic gestures of kindness and empathy which provide succor to the poor, vulnerable and downtrodden.  All these are perfect in the mold of GburuGburu we know.  However, little did it register that there is more to this 53rd birthday than meets the eyes.  Little did anybody figure that the 53rd birthday is going to be historic both in actions and deeds.  Little did anybody imagine that the call on his 52nd birthday anniversary as aptly reported by Mr. Amoke that those intending to offer the Governor gifts for his birthday should channel such gifts to charity homes and orphanages in appreciation of the Almighty’s mercies and kindness.  Nobody thought that the 52nd birthday call would turn out to be  a child’s play compared to the magnanimity displayed by all manners of people, political groups, and government appointees cum officials in Enugu State today on his 53rd birthday…...a tradition seems to be in the making.  

         As I woke on today, March 20th, Gov Ugwuanyi’s birthday, my first port of call is usually my little transistor radio for the usual update in political news of the day and the numerous public announcements celebrating both birth and death and everything in between.  However, on this special day, I was politely interrupted by a phone call, while listening to the 7am Radio Nigeria Network News by a friend, a local government official.  In his frantic call he wanted to know if I heard any congratulatory message from his local government for His Excellency’s birthday.  I told him I did not hear any and he heaved a sigh of relief intoning that Oga did not want any of these.  So I calmly asked him what did Oga want.  He said Oga wanted whoever wants to send him birthday gift should direct it to Orphanage homes and charitable organizations.  I asked what is his plans about abiding to Oga’s solemn request, and he responsed that he was going with his local government officials to visit three hospitals in his local government (one public hospital and two private ones).  A quick extrapolation puts the numbers of Orphanage homes, hospitals or charitable organizations who might benefit from this venture to a whopping 51 and this is only 17 local government areas officials.  By the time you add all the political appointees, two arms of governments, government contractors and stakeholders you figure that Enugu State was and will continue to be a beehive of benevolence, charitable and philanthropy activities courtesy of His Excellency Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s birthday to the benefits of the poor and downtrodden in Enugu State.  A quick example is the Chairman of ALGON Prince Nnaji and his Local Government team who celebrated His Excellency’s Birthday at Daughters of Divine Love, Amorji, Nike where they delivered numerous goodies and items in addition to cash donations.  See below

       In his usual unassuming style, Enugu State Chief Executive, His Excellency Gov. Ugwuanyi did celebrate with those in rehabilitation, those paying for their crime, and those who we are reforming in our prison system.  There is no known recorded history of a Chief Executive of a State in Nigeria to abandon the glittering lights of the moment amidst troops of sycophants to return to the lowly prisoners to celebrate with them providing them a sense of belonging, sense of worth and returning dint of dignity to their lives as they get ready to return to society (See for yourselves).

               His Excellency Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as captured by Mr. Amoke, is, indeed,  a devout catholic who believes in the obligation towards sharing in the pains of others by ameliorating their sufferings.  His Excellency has effectively spurred a surge in charitable givings in Enugu State.  His Excellency has started a tradition to the extent that it would very much be laudable to cement its continuity.  Therefore, I am of the opinion for the 20th of March of every years to be baptized and designated, in addition to Gov. Ugwuanyi’s birthday, be  DECLARED a day of benevolence, charity and philanthropy in Enugu State…. A Day to Give Back to the poor, needy and the forgotten of our society.   It has started well and we must keep the lights shining.   Happy Birthday His Excellency, Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi - Gburu Gburu, May the Almighty continue to bless you and family.

Obori Adaka, a public affairs analyst, writes from Enugu