UGWUANYI: THE QUINTESSENTIAL LEADER OF ENUGU STATE

EZEJIOFO SUNNY UDEH

espudeh@gmail.com

May 24, 2020.

Perhaps, most discerning observers have quietly wondered the reason behind Ugwuanyi’s indomitable and rising profile.  Others, especially those of us in the skeptical camp, are not in a rush to judgment for we ascribe the unseen popularity to a phenomenon worthy of closer scrutiny. Going by the events of the reelection of former governors, Nnamani and Chime, such acceptance of an incumbent is indeed alien to the political annals of Enugu State or even in Nigeria.

Our search for an answer brought us to close reexamination of the popular maxim in the political lexicon that "Vox populi; vox dei", which translates to "the voice of the people is the voice of God".  However, an early reference of the expression was in a letter from Alcuin, an English scholar to King Charlemagne where he wrote, “And those people should not be listened to who keep saying the voice of the people is the voice of God, since the riotness of the crowd is always very close to madness”.  This is instructive.

Another great political scholar, Alexander Hamilton, emphasized that the voice of the people is the voice of God, however, the maxim quoted and believed, it is not true to fact.  Without digging, we concur with the two scholars and simply attribute the GburuGburu-Phenomenon in Enugu State, not to the erroneous use of the popular maxim rather to the opposite but the real meaning.  Therefore, we make bold to say that in Enugu State, "it is Ugwuanyi’s Vox Dei; Vox Populi", the voice of God is the voice of the people.

Gov. Ugwuanyi is an honorable man with an altruistic heart who grew from humble beginning to political top.  He remains faithful to his roots as he continually invests democratic dividends in the sections of the population most in need.  Despite his overflowing humility, His Excellency, Gov. Ugwuanyi carries the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, and the God of David first in everything he does. The sheer invocation of Almighty begets his strong leadership to hegemonize Enugu State which led to the faithful mantra, "Enugu is in the hands of God".

Noticeably, most of his speeches are in reverence to God and the enduring mantra of "Ashua Azua" which indicates his subscription to the philosophy. Ashua Azua sees life as a marketplace where both buyers and sellers converge to advance their collective interests without doing harm.  This philosophy is best viewed as a variant of game theory.  However, it is not the zero-sum game where the interest of the participants conflict, resulting in one person’s gain leading to another’s loss.  Instead the game is neither zero-sum, nor exclusively cooperative where there is common feature of both competition and interdependence yielding outcomes for the general benefit of all.

Ugwuanyi’s Vox Dei and devotion to God have created the harmonious atmosphere in Enugu State. As proudly declared by Rev. Father Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry, “I have never seen this kind of unquestionable, magnetic, pragmatic and dynamic peace in Enugu State before, because of GburuGburu.  Ugwuanyi has no enemy.  He is a governor who has good relationships with the entire Nwodo family, Late Senator Fide Okoro, Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Jim Nwobodo, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani and other leaders”.  He ended by confirming Enugu, the epitome of peace and security.  The peace and security manifested in the last presidential and national assembly election with no incident or violence in Enugu State.

Ugwuanyi’s philosophy of uplifting those at the bottom has made it possible to embark on remarkably creative programs touching the hearts of many as they increase multiplier effects of economic activities in Enugu State.  Salaries known as the statutory responsibility of every government have become a thing of the past since the economic doldrum of 2015.  Half of the state governments, including oil producing states, are currently owing months of salary to their workers. 

However, the story in Enugu State is different. Since the inception of Ugwuanyi’s administration salaries are paid on the 23rd of every month. Additionally, the administration instituted a 13th month salary as bonus to all government workers in the state.  Due to improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue -IGR, Enugu State is one of the few states who were able to pay salaries without the federal allocation.  The timely payment of salaries has gone a long way to increase economic activities of the state.

Ugwuanyi’s creative program reached the crescendo of his Ashua azua philosophy with the Enugu State Government Traders Empowerment Scheme which empowers genuine traders irrespective of state of origin, religion or ethnicity in the 54 designated markets across the state. As described by the Chairman of Ogbete Market, Hon. John Eze, it is a radical entrepreneurial blueprint designed to assist traders in raising funds for expansion through transparent monthly lottery drawings.  The program has benefited over 5,000 traders since its inception.

Ugwuanyi’s Vox Dei led directly to all the rural communities of Enugu State with the ‘One Community One Project’ program which earmarked 10 million Naira for each of the 458 autonomous communities in the state. This money is used by the community to execute priority projects of their choice. My community of Egede has benefitted and we have another well-constructed bore-hole with overhead tank at the Ukwu market to show for it. 

Ugwuanyi’s Vox Dei broke 56-year old jinx preventing Enugu State from constructing five new fire service stations.  The State Executive Council approved the purchase of five fire trucks, fire-fighting equipment, and the employment of 52 qualified personnel to operate the newly constructed fire service stations in five locations spread out in the three senatorial districts of Enugu State. 

In view of the discussed creative programs and massive infrastructural development throughout the state it is no surprise that Governor Ugwuanyi was named the winner of 2018 Governor of the Year Award by Leadership, Sun and Vanguard Newspapers for his phenomenal leadership and governance supporting the rural and urban communities, providing peace and harmony among the political class, and needed security in the state.  While the Independent Newspaper named him the Grassroots Development Governor.

In conclusion, for a man who never forgets where he came from, a man who wears humility as badge of honor, a man who is deeply religious with the attending devotion to Almighty, a man who shaped his political career around the philosophy of reaching out to the high and mighty as well as the down-trodden and forgotten.  A man who came when the economic hardship was tough and provided succor to our people as he said he would.  A man who trusted in his God and directed Enugu State towards the hands of God.  A man of peace who made peace and unity reign supreme in Enugu State. His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Lawrence Ugwuanyi, our man on a mission with a clear vision earlier communicated, and methodically being executed by a team meticulously put together.  He is, indeed, the quintessential leader of our time because Vox Dei; Vox populi - the voice of God is the voice of the people.  We have never had it this good in Enugu State. Let's be kind to our leader and grateful to Almighty 

Dr. Udeh, adjunct professor, management consultant, PDP stakeholder, and 2011 Aspirant for Udi-Ezeagu Federal House of Rep, writes from Enugu.