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Enugu
State and the miracle within Cosmas
Maduba In a few years from today when
historians begin a review of the nation’s experimentation with democratic
governance, Enugu State, one of the 36 states in the federation will most
certainly engage their probing minds as well as the final outcome of their
reports. However, this feat did not come easy as those who know Enugu
State before 1999 will most certainly confirm that indeed the Chimaroke
Nnamani-led administration, which took office on May 29 1999 has indeed
brought back the glory to a state that was at the mercy of military
conquerors that ruled the state before 1999. At
the take-off of his administration in 1999 and realising that a well
motivated and focused environment is anchored on well thought out
educational objectives, Nnamani laid what many see as best educational
structure that today he is sure to stand on the positive side of history
after office just like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose image still
looms large two decades after his demise. A sampler of Nnamani educational
strides include construction of classroom blocks as well as equipment of
library and laboratory equipment in several schools across the three
geo-political zones in the states, there is also the one meal a day for
school pupils at governments expense. At the tertiary level the Enugu
State University which is the first University of Technology in the
Country is perhaps one of the best in the land. Today, ESUT as it is
popularly called, has a well-developed permanent site with boarding
facilities and hostel accommodation for a minimum of 15,000 students. Also
on construction is quarters for senior, medium and junior staff; a giant
administrative block, an auditorium as well as library and a stadium that
can pass FIFA rating. All the above structures are nearing completion to
the disappointment of bookmakers’ predictions. Even with government
concentration on Education not a few analysts also agree that the Nnamani
administration did not neglect the infrastructural plank of social
development in Enugu State. A home for most Igbo at home and in diaspora,
observers say providing infrastructure for residents in the capital city
and environs is akin to providing same to the entire Igbo race.
But Nnamani refused to be
deterred in this responsibility as network of good roads dott the capital
city of Enugu and Nsukka towns while pipe borne water in the cities and at
the rural areas is almost a must. That is not all, on monthly basis
several communities are given transformers to boost rural electricity
while those who benefited earlier have theirs maintained
regularly. In the health sector, not a
few acknowledge the giant strides of the medical-doctor-turned politician.
As a practitioner and a specialist in health matters many expected Enugu
State to be at its best in terms of health care, fortunately the
expectation was met in terms of cottage health centres located in most
villages of the State, equipment and refurbishing of existing general
hospitals as well as training and employment of health personnel. The
Enugu State University of Technology Teaching Hospital sprawling on a vast
acre of land is not just a sight to behold, its personnel equipment and
general infrastructure is only comparable to the National Hospital Abuja.
Little wonder in few years from today the place will serve as the most
potent reference point in medicare. Also realising the congestion that is
Enugu town due to the influx of people from the South East, Lagos and
Abuja, the Nnamani administrative constructed several Housing Estate in
the Capital City of Enugu. One of them is the Lona Linda Housing Estate
along Ugwuyi Road in Enugu, an estate consisting of nine blocks, with a
total 324 two bedroom flats, 109 parking lots and recreation facilities
both for adults and children, the estate is expected to meet the needs of
both medium and low incomes earners. There is also the Golf course and
Ebeano
estates which is also built up and targeted at the nouvea riche of the
society. Besides living quarters erected by the Nnamani administration,
there is also the International Conference Centre, and the judicial
quarters, a modern residential edifice that is expected to serve the
accommodation of Judges and other judicial services staff. A very
fascinating aspect of the Nnamani administrative is in the area of
tourism. With a state that is almost armed robbery free, and edifices like
the International Conference attracting tourists from both far and near,
Enugu as a city especially during weekends is always over crowded to the
point that adjoining areas like Agbani which is equally developed take a
percentage of these tourists. Little one wonder this year
alone and in recognition of his giant strides in state several renowned
bodies and organisations have at one time or the other extolled the
administrative virtues of the six foot standing Chief Executive. For
instance Vanguard Newspapers, a national daily of note in its assessment
of governance in the 36 states rated Enugu State the best in three
categories policy formulation and implementation as well as service
delivery. The recent performance rating of 36 state Governors by the World
Bank DFID, UNDP, USAID and other credible International agencies through
the National Planning Commission placed Enugu State second out of 36
states in the area of services delivery. Even though it came second, many
observers believe that Enugu State should indeed have come first because
Osun State which was rated first is no way comparable to what is Enugu.
Before the National Planning
Commission assessment, over thirteen European envoys who have been taking
stocks of development efforts of the entire 36 states in the country took
special interest in Enugu State and therefore embarked on a trip to see
things for themselves. Arriving Enugu and having gone round the state to
see the projects themselves, their incontrovertible performance badge was
hung on the Governor to the admiration of discerning Nigerians and the
proud people of Enugu State.
Said the Ambassador of the Ireland Republic one of Thirteen
European Ambassador, ‘what you are trying to build here is an economic
base, that will not only give hope for the future of young people of this
state but also for those who left in frustration, with what we saw here
today, hopefully many will come back, this is real governance’.
Observers say that whatever is
responsible for the quality administration that is Enugu State, one thing
appears clear today, Igbo must begin to celebrate the success of their own
and probably when it will be turn of Igbos, to govern Nigeria, patriots
like Chimaraoke Nnamani who have given a good account of their stewardship
and who have also written their names in gold like the Awolowos, Azikiwes
should be entrusted with leading this great nation, that way other
Nigerians and the outside world will indeed know and accept that the East
and its people are indeed the shining light of the Nigerian nation. Bravo
Nnamani, the Peoples Governor. |
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