Chimaroke Nnamani, governor of Enugu State, is a man with a lion heart. The magnitude of unyielding opposition he faced from both politicians and the religious is enough to unsettle any man. Yet he refused to be distracted. He embarked on aggressive implementation of gigantic projects, whose timely completion is leaving his critics bereft of words.

The projects started essentially in September 2004. “Since then, it’s been an aggressive drive, it’s been intense. I visit most of these places everyday,” said Nnamani.

One of the newly completed projects is the state-of-the-art Enugu State Judiciary Headquarters, which has 18 computerized court chambers and a library, cafeteria and a small social centre where conferences can be held. There is the permanent site of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, built on 600 hectares of land with more than 164 buildings, ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, GRA, Enugu, and College of Medicine including three hostels, each of them built with en-suite facilities. The fully completed and equipped dual complexes have a clinical laboratory, a pharmacy block, a 1200-seater lecture auditorium, and administrative blocks. This contributed in earning the university full accreditation, which had eluded it since inception. There is the Ebeano Tunnel Crossing, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria. There is provision for a standby power generating set. For the security of the tunnel, a police post is sited beside its entrance.

“We were also aware that the university has been in existence for about 26 years and students were still staying in the temporary site, living in shanties, boys quarters and people’s garages,” Nnamani said. According to him, they also realized that Enugu needed a conference centre as part of repositioning the state, in terms of tourism, in terms of a gateway to the East and regaining its past position as a major regional centre. “To decongest traffic we also needed a tunnel, a vehicular subway, we already have a pedestrian subway. The teaching hospital also needed a permanent site. So we decided to go along with focus on reforms and implementation of Millennium Development Goals, and meanwhile put these structures on the ground,” he said.

Apart from the completed projects, the Loma Linda Housing Estate, another brainchild of Nnamani’s idealistic leadership is gradually taking shape with the extent of work done outweighing the work left. It is designed to provide 324 flats to Enugu residents. The estate is said to have been inspired by the Loma Linda Adventist University in US, Nnamani’s alma mater. Other on-going projects are the new auditorium of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, the International Conference Centre, ICC, comprising a 5000-seater auditorium, 3500-seater auditorium, 1500-seater dome and a 200-bedroom five star hotel.

According to Nnamani, the ICC project, when completed, would not only provide a first-class events venue for Enugu residents but will also attract patronage by national and international conference organizers for events such as scientific and ministerial conferences. He said he expects it to be self-sustaining. He expressed the hope that the facility will also help in the quest to regain Enugu’s past status as the hub of the eastern region of Nigeria. Like the other on-going projects, the conference centre is expected to be completed before the end of 2006.

This notwithstanding, Nnamani created the enabling environment which led to an increase in economic activities resulting to heavy human and vehicular traffic in the state. The governor saw the need to expand the road network to carry this increased traffic. The result is the dualisation of Chime Avenue, dualisation of Rangers avenue, Chief Z.C. Obi Link Road, rehabilitation of existing roads like Ozalla Street, Afikpo, Achina and so many other roads in Enugu urban. The governor sees the provision of infrastructure as one of the ways to present Enugu as the pride of the East.

It was the inauguration of these projects that brought President Olusegun Obasanjo to Enugu, on June 22. A mammoth crowd made up of different dance groups, youths, government officials and Enugu State indigenes came to await the arrival of Obasanjo abroad a presidential jet labeled Nigerian Airforce 5N FGT at the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu. The crowd endured the scorching late morning sunshine, and enlivened the tarmac area with a rich display of cultural dances and music performances. As Obasanjo alighted from the plane, shouts of Baba oh! rent the air. The president waved back at the crowd with both hands in acknowledgement and appreciation of their warm reception. The formal airport ceremonies were brief but colourful. The traditional drumming and dances reached their peak and there was a stampede around the president and his chief host, the Enugu State governor at the airport, shortly before the presidential convoy sped off to commission projects.

The president said that the governor’s achievements in the provision of infrastructure have made a lie to the claims of his critics. “Again, I want to commend this effort. It is easy for human beings to say that nothing is being done well but at least na koro koro eye I take see this one. It doesn’t matter what you say, Enugu State is working. But I see and believe what I see rather than what they tell me,” Obasanjo said while commissioning the Ebeano Tunnel Crossing and the road linking Ogui Road with Okpara Avenue in Enugu.

Nnamani sees Obasanjo’s visit as the crescendo, seeing all these things come to fruition within so short a time. He said that the visit for them is about the best thing, the height of seven years of service to Enugu State. “I believe that the visit of the president yesterday was the peak. Seeing a university emerge, a teaching hospital emerge, tunnel emerge, and judicial headquarters emerge, all these roads. I believe, in addition to what we’ve done in terms of reforms, that this is the crescendo,” an obviously fulfilled Nnamani said.

Nnamani is not only building structures. In education sector, he introduced a lot of reforms. They include the introduction of school meal-plus progamme in January 2004. The aim is to address the Millennium Development Goals of the UN, which includes increase in primary school enrollment and education for all by 2015. There is also the introduction of early childcare education, ECCE. Because of ECCE in all the primary schools in Enugu State, 3000 teachers were recruited in primary and secondary schools as well as massive renovation of classrooms.

Initially targeted at rural or poor communities, the programme will soon be extended to all communities in the state.

Nnamani established two new special science schools and a brand new College of Education (Technical) at Akpugoeze. The state is committed to compulsory free Universal Basic Education programme aimed at eradicating poverty and creating better life for all. Knowing fully well that it could not provide computers, laboratory facilities, modern science equipment, libraries and gymnasium in all schools because of the lean resources at its disposal, the government came up with what it called “school district centres.” Under this arrangement, groups of schools were made to share facilities provided at the schools district centres located in their area.

In the economic sphere, the government has developed an economic policy aimed at achieving strong economic growth in the state. Some of the policies include creating an investment-friendly environment and promoting private enterprise. The government gives concession to private sector investment in selected areas. It also gives concessions in ICT infrastructure, movie production and business tourism. Among other things, the government provides fiscal incentives to investors, provides land, tax and other incentives to serious investors. This is in addition to securing federal government approval for a free trade zone.

In addition, the healthcare delivery system in the state was reorganized to enable healthcare services to reach the grassroots. In the ensuing reform, the state was carved into 56 health care districts for primary healthcare while general hospitals became the focal points for secondary healthcare. For the tertiary health care services, the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital became the focal point. In order that each level of the healthcare system should perform optimally, the administration regarded rehabilitation, modernization of equipment and facilities in hospitals and healthcare centres as well as training and retraining of the needed manpower in the health sector as a high priority. To cope with the high demand for doctors to manage the healthcare system, government came up with the idea of setting up what it called “Enugu Corps of Doctors.”

The government provided electricity to more than 200 communities and embarked on massive water schemes, which gave additional support to both the educational and healthcare system in the state.

Perhaps the most visible project undertaken by the administration in its first term is the building of the Nigerian Law School in Agbani, which it had since handed over to the federal government. Other projects of note completed during this period were two new middle class housing estates called Ebeano Housing Estate and GRA Golf Housing Estate.

Nnamani’s ability to tackle problems headlong may have prompted Jonathan Ivoke, Commissioner for Public Utilities, to describe him as a God-sent to Enugu people. “In terms of infrastructure, he has done much. In terms of human development, he has done so much. The governor is very popular, the projects are people-oriented projects, landmark projects that will outlive so many generations,” Ivoke said.

“Personally, I feel very happy about all these achievements. I am also convinced that the generality of people of Enugu State are happy. The people of Enugu State can never forget the era of Chimaroke Nnamani because he has left indelible marks on the sands of time,” said Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, Commissioner for Education.

Sunday Onyebuchi, Commissioner for Works and Transport, whose ministry is involved in all the major capital projects going on in the state, described the governor as a man with rare qualities. “All the projects in the state are not of any accidental happenstance. They are products of deliberate plans and vision by the governor to transform the state and leave it better than he met it,” Onyebuchi said. Nnamani, he said, denied himself of pleasures of sleep and the comfort of his home to achieve what he has achieved. “He pays personal attention to the day-to-day progress of each of the projects. Can you believe that he knows the name of every supervisor at every project site. He drives the project and gets those of us working with him to be on our toes 24 hours,” he said.

Those working with Nnamani see every moment as a challenge. This is because he likes results and does not tolerate failures even as he cares for the welfare and well being of those working with him. Nnamani also believes in gender parity and provides opportunity for young men and women to contribute their quota to the development of Enugu State. “There are many people who have lost hope in life. He gave them hope – old women and widows. He believes in the equality of the sexes. There are more than 12 permanent secretaries who are women. It has never happened before. Men used to occupy prime positions of authority,” said Ment Nomeh, special adviser, public communications. According to him, if you look at members of the executive council, they are all young men, who can drive government engine without supervision. Nnamani has created a situation where background does not prevent anybody from reaching his height in the state so long as you have the drive and competence. “You have to wear extra spike shoes to match his pace,” Nomeh said.

Those who work for Nnamani realize that the most difficult time is when they have a job to do without being supervised. “You continue asking yourself can this meet his expectation? The governor has no room for failure,” Nomeh said, adding: “The success story of Enugu is a pride for all of us. Ebeano family is a happy family.”

Nnamani acknowledges the role played by the opposition in recording his landmark achievement. According to him, the opposition has been there from the beginning. “We were also trying to put something on the ground so that we can take a quick hold on the people and hold their trust to help fight the opposition. I believe it’s been helpful too. We cannot deny the fact that a lot of what we achieved was also due to an opposition that was breathing down our neck,” he said.

Nnamani says the greatest challenge he has faced is that of an unyielding opposition. “I mean, you build a university, they say it’s a photo trick, a computer imagery: you build a tunnel they say computer imagery. They tell the president not to visit your state to commission a project,” he said.

The people of Enugu State have varying views on the projects done by the governor. Newswatch sought the views of some Enugu residents about the Nnamani administration. Friday Akuru, a newspaper vendor at Hill View Road junction, who hails from Abakiliki in Ebonyi State, said: “Nnamani has done a lot. He built the university and some of the buildings near Okpara Square. He has tried and he is popular. Everybody likes him. I say this because whenever anything about him is in the newspapers and magazines I make a lot of sales.”

A commercial motorcycle rider, who refused to give his name, said the governor was doing well. A man who identified himself as Reverend Madu, of Deeper Life Church, Enugu, said: “I am not a politician but I love Governor Nnamani. Amongst all the governors he has performed more than anyone else. He is doing his best.” He added that whatever people say about him “is secondary and mere African politics.” He said he will, however, expect Nnamani to give a much more human face to his politics, for instance, in the area of payment of allowances to workers.

Verdicts like those given above, by the ordinary men on the streets, as well as those from highly placed persons such as the 14 European Union ambassadors who visited the state in 2005 and said that the future of Nigeria lies in Enugu State, perhaps validate the latest catch phrase coined by Nnamani and approved by his admirers. It simply says, “Enugu is working, Nigeria is working.”

Culled from Newswatch, July 10, 2006, pp. 12-23.