It was
attended by a an economist, lawyer, celebrated orator and erstwhile Minister of
Information, Chief Nnia Nwodo. Others
are Dr. Sylvester Okenyi, Mrs. Maria Okwo, Chief Nduka Eya, traditional rulers,
former and present political office holders, leaders of thought, academics and
influential youths from the zone.
In the
meeting, the Chairman of the Assembly, Prof.
Lawrence Ocho, presented the address on behalf of the Assembly members. In his
address, he said: “In 1993, the late General Sani
Abacha led a military coup that toppled the third civilian administration in
Nigeria. That administration had an Nsukka son, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, as the
first civilian governor of Enugu State. Since then, twenty two years now, no
Nsukka son has occupied the exalted seat until you, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, were
sworn in as Executive Governor of Enugu State on May 29, 2015.”
Prof. Ocho felicitated
with the governor on his successful election, adding that Nsukka having been
out of political power in the state for more than two decades has lagged behind
drastically both in infrastructural and human development.
He said: “Your Excellency, 22 years out of office has meant that,
except for nine months during the military government of General Abdulsalami
Abubakar, and six months in General Obasanjo’s government, no Nsukka son has
been Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Since that period no Nsukka
son has been Federal Permanent Secretary too.
"It has also meant that we have been given limited access to the offices of Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff and Chairman of State Council of Chiefs. It means that our sons and daughters in the civil service hardly end up as Permanent Secretaries and those that do so are in the minority.
“It
has also meant that we have the lowest number of judges amongst the three zones
in the state. It has meant that we have the lowest proportion of intake into
the State Civil Service, the Federal service and the Armed forces. In
infrastructural development, allocation to our zone has been dismally low and
disgraceful.”
He expressed
sadness that virtually all the roads earmarked to be renovated by past administrations
had been abandoned. He added: “We are happy with the
various decisions you have taken since you assumed office. We are glad that you
have set up a specific committee for the renewal of Nsukka urban and submitted
a supplementary estimate to enable you finance their proposals. We note your
continued policy of triangular equilibrium in appointments which characterises
the Nwa Nsukka sense of justice. We seek no retaliation. All we seek is our fair
share and amelioration for the long injustice meted to us. We have gathered
today to tell you that whatever divisions that existed in Nsukka hitherto your
election has been closed. We shall stand like one man behind you.”
While responding,
the highly elated governor extoled the leadership of the Assembly for convening
the forum, adding that it had provided opportunity for cross-fertilization of
ideas and views on how best to drive development and progress in the state. He
also expressed his gratitude to them for their continued support for his
administration.
In Gov.
Ugwuanyi’s own words: “I am particularly touched by
your declaration that whatever divisions that existed in Nsukka before my
election are now dissolved. That you shall stand like one man behind me; that
you shall as brothers reconcile differences among us and that you shall offer
me all assistance available to ensure my success.”
The Governor
assured that all the concerns of the zone as outlined by the Assembly would be
looked into.
He said: “You should consider this as the beginning of the end of
those issues, as we shall ensure political balancing in every aspect of the
administration as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. We are fully committed to the promotion of justice, equity and
fairness in the state and I shall be fair to all manner of Ndi Enugu in line
with the oath of office I took as the Governor of Enugu State.”
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