Gov. Nwifuru Is A Blessing Shared By All
The governor of Ebonyi State, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, will mount the 5th floor of his age on 25th February, 2025. As he celebrates this milestone, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Uchenna Stephen Igwe, in this interview with Monday Eze, relives his relationship with Governor Nwifuru and gives fresh insight into Governor Nwifuru's personality and the significance of the Ebonyi People's Charter of Needs administration for Ebonyi State and her people. Excerpts:*_
*Q: As Governor Francis Nwifuru clocks 50 today, give us insight into the life of this revered gentleman, especially the aspect of his personality that remains outstanding to you.*
A: His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, is a thoroughbred Ebonyi man who was born and raised in Ebonyi State. He lived the greater portion of his life in Ebonyi State and among Ebonyi people. When Gov Nwifuru was a child, his playmates were Ebonyi people; as a pupil and teenage school boy, his class and school mates were Ebonyi people. At every stage of Governor Nwifuru's life, he was with and among Ebonyi people. He rose from a bricklayer by dint of hard work to become the speaker of Ebonyi legislature and now Ebonyi State governor in Ebonyi State. So, Ebonyi people know Builder Francis Nwifuru and he too knows Ebonyi people and understands Ebonyi people's preferences and needs. Therefore, when you hear of, "Ebonyi People's Charter of Needs", this is the background; and because it is coming from a homeboy governor, you can count on it.
The aspect of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru which remain outstanding to me is his humility and diligence. Before he became Ebonyi State governor, Builder Nwifuru was a PDP Ex-officio at the state level. He served so humbly and diligently and through service in humility, he sold himself to Ebonyi masses who constitute the college of Ebonyi kingmakers. He was elected into the House of Assembly in 2011. There he did not relent in service in humility. On return to the House of Assembly in 2015, he was made the speaker. As Honourable Speaker of Ebonyi State House Assembly, he was a servant-leader, ministering to the needs of the members and the state with humility and diligence. He was a trusted ally of the governor. In 2019, he was re-elected as speaker. Now that Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is Ebonyi State governor, he has continued to be humble and hardworking. Everybody can testify that Governor Nwifuru is neither haughty nor into showmanship.
*Q: How long have you known the governor? Are there changes between his person as a private citizen and as a Governor? What has changed, and what exactly is Ebonyi’s greatest gain in such personality?*
A: My paths crossed with that of His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, in the Ebonyi Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Executive Council. We were all members of the council. I have been his project for two decades now. Like I said in my previous response, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has remained himself even as governor. Apart from increased experience and knowledge, the titles of 'Honourable Speaker' and 'Governor' which he took at different times; and the increased responsibilities he shoulders for Ebonyi people, nothing about the personality of Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has changed.
The greatest gain of Ebonyi State and her people from the personality of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is that he has good intentions for Ebonyi State and her people, understands their needs and has sufficient desire and energy to invest in solving those needs. He does not also discriminate. In fact, Governor Nwifuru is a blessing shared by all.
*Q. The Governor came to power in 2023 under the mantra of “Ebonyi People’s Charter of Needs”. Has this been properly showcased across the state equitably, looking at the indices of good governance?*
A: Ebonyi People's Charter of Needs is not just a mantra. It is a refined democratic concept and I am bold to say that His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has properly showcased this new face of democracy in Ebonyi State since May 2023. For starters, all the projects and programmes of Governor Nwifuru's administration were derived from verified needs of Ebonyi people. In the healthcare sector, Governor Nwifuru provided health equipment, consumables, drugs and recruited health personnel and gave them good remuneration to ensure effective delivery of health services in the general hospitals. The Nwifuru administration is building 3 model schools in each of the 13 local government areas and has commenced recruitment of teachers for effective teaching and learning. The man of the people revived the scholarship board and gave local and oversea scholarship opportunities to hundreds of Ebonyi youths without regards to creed or political persuasion. An ICT University, the first-of-its-kind has been established at Agbaja in Ebonyi State. Eighty percent of the officials of his administration are vibrant youths. Many youths of Ebonyi State have been trained and given financial grants to enable them go into businesses and food production. Construction of rigid pavement roads with a cumulative distance of about 500 kilometers are going on in different parts of the state while workers' salaries and arrears of gratuities and pension are promptly paid. One can go on with the impossible task of enumerating all the projects and programmes of Governor Nwifuru in Ebonyi State. These projects and programmes have been equitably spread to reach communities and people in every part of Ebonyi State without regard to voting pattern in the 2023 general elections. Governor Nwifuru is the governor of all Ebonyi State. He is a blessing shared by all.
*Q: What is the greatest achievement of the administration of Governor Nwifuru in Ebonyi so far as we countdown to two years into his administration especially in areas concerning your ministry “local government and rural development”?*
A: The greatest achievement of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru in Ebonyi State is the enthronement of peace. I say this because without peace, there can neither be life nor progress or development. The administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has restored peace in 64 autonomous communities by resolving their respective traditional stool disputes and issuing staff of office and certificates of recognition to them. Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is a rural development champion, he is building befitting palaces for Ebonyi traditional rulers and a total distance of 240 kilometers of community roads in rigid pavement. Remember that Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru's welfare programmes have earned him the honour of the Welfare Ambassador of Nigeria from Nigerian parents from the 36 states of the federation and FCT. He restored financially-beneficial workers promotion to Ebonyi workers including those in the council areas. Local Government Area chairmen in Ebonyi State manage their funds and resources without interference.
*Q: What should Ebonyi people expect going forward as the gains of “Governor Nwifuru at 50”?*
A: Ebonyi people should expect the very best of good governance driven by the needs, welfare of the ordinary people and the common good from our governor, His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who is fully-mature and is determined to raise the bar of good governance in Ebonyi State. Ebonyi people should expect an era of peace from the Governor who is also known as the "St. Francis of Ebonyi State". It is indeed the golden era of Ebonyi State. Ebonyi people should give this era their best by giving unflinching support to Ebonyi State Government under Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
*Q: What are your prayers for Governor Nwifuru at 50?*
A: I pray God to protect, preserve, promote and guide His Excellency, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. I pray God to give His Excellency discernment; and to grant Governor Nwifuru and his People's Charter of Needs administration unequaled success. I wish Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru many happy returns in good health and in progress.