BEING AN NDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY SPEECH OF GOVERNOR FRANCIS OGBONNA NWIFURU
Today, I stand before you with immense gratitude and hope, on this auspicious occasion of the 64th Anniversary of our Nation’s Independence and 28 years of statehood.
On October, 1996, General Sanni Abacha pronounced us a State. Throughout these 28 years, we have by sheer determination lived up to the expectation of a State. Today marks yet another year in our journey as a free and sovereign Nation, and it offers us the chance to reflect on our achievements, recognize our challenges, and chart a path forward.
First and foremost, let me extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCON), the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Her Excellency, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa, past Governors—Navy Captain Walter Feghabor, Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu, Chief Martin Nwanchor Elechi and Engr David Nweze Umahi, Nigeria's Minister of Works. Your Excellency Mr. President, your visionary leadership has been a beacon of hope for all of us. Your continued support for Ebonyi State in critical areas such as infrastructure development, healthcare, and education has been instrumental to our progress.
I also wish to thank our esteemed stakeholders — traditional rulers, community leaders, business leaders, civil servants, and all our citizens — who have been partners in the success we celebrate today.
As we reflect on our journey, I would like to speak on a few key areas that have been central to our administration's focus sixteen months on. We have taken a deliberate a step towards ensuring critical infrastructures that truly align with the NEEDS of our people, are provided.
When we came on board, we anchored our administration on the People's Charter of Needs—deliberately taking initiatives that will not only help us in navigating the complexities of governance, but addressing plethora of deficits that stare us on the face as a people.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Education
i. Primary Education
Our government is focused on entrepreneurship, skill acquisition and education for economic and self-reliance at all levels. As such, in Primary and Secondary subsector; Works are at advance stages in our 39 Model Secondary Schools across the State. It is a state-of-the-art one storey building, 22 classroom blocks, teachers’ offices, principals’ offices, laboratories, examination halls, all in each of the schools.
We have embarked on construction of six (6) pilot primary schools - one storey building with twelve (12) class rooms each.
We are currently recruiting 1000 teachers for our secondary schools. The exercise will soon be completed. Distributed text and note books, including laptops to public schools in Ebonyi State free of charge.
ii. Tertiary Education
We have commenced work at the University of ICT Oferekpe, Izzi and University of Aerospace Engineering, Ezza. So far, we are constructing various buildings in the new institutions – administrative blocks, senate building, senior and junior staff quarters, in addition to the perimeter fencing.
Our local and oversea scholarship program is in progress. The State Government through the Scholarship Board has secured admissions for 300 foreign scholarship beneficiaries and 700 Local beneficiaries to pursue their Masters and Doctorates degrees. We are confident that those we selected are students who will do the State proud, by completing the programs in record time. By the special Grace of God Almighty, this will continue until I leave office in 2031, thereby having graduated 8000 Ebonyians who would have benefited from the scheme.
Health
In Ebonyi State today, we have ensured quality healthcare delivery through our State Teaching Hospital and General Hospitals. I am glad to inform you that;
We have successfully procured Four MRI Machines, medical consumables and other medical equipment for use in our 13 General Hospitals, procurement of laboratory Chemicals and Reagents as well as oxygen cylinders for Health Centres in the State.
We recruited 195 medical personnel to work in all our general hospitals in the State. We went on to increase their allowances by N150,000.00 each.
As you may recall, we procured and distributed 42 SUVs to the medical doctors and 20 ambulances to General Hospitals and motorcycles to Health officers across the State.
We have injected over 100 Million Naira for our route immunization across the State. With this measure, the State Ministry of Health has successfully completed 2023 immunization against Out Break Response (OBR) for children.
I have also directed that medical personnel attached to our Health facilities should be resident at their various places of work. The ministry in the day ahead will step up awareness compaign to combat cancer, Sickle cell and outbreaks.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
We are developing our agricultural system through practical farming. The State ministry of Agriculture has;
Distributed 31,000 bags of fertilizer to farmers.
2,960 Agricultural equipment like pumping machines, grinding machine, cassava processing machines, livestock and feed for our numerous farmers.
Procured 15 brand new tractors for the ministry of Agriculture to embark on practical farming.
The Nkaliki hatchery is currently receiving good attention with the poultry section ready for business. We have approved funds for the raising of 15,000 layers and 20,400 broilers. The State government has commenced rehabilitation of other sections like the fishery and piggery. It will soon the completed. The hatchery when fully operational will have capacity of creating at least 2,000 jobs.
We have also paid two hundred million Naira Counterpart fund to International Fund for Agricultural Fund, IFAD for 2023 and 2024.
Total revitalization of Ebonyi Fertilizer Chemical Company Ltd to be producing varieties of fertilizers and generating revenue for the State has been completed.
Water Resources
Water is life. Our Government has launched extensive water projects aimed at improving access to clean water in rural and urban communities.
We have expanded our water supply infrastructure by reactivating the Oferekpe Water Scheme. The water scheme at Oferekpe will soon commence pumping of water. When reticulated, it will supply water to Izzi, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Ezza North and South.
The old Abakaliki Water Scheme will come alive again. We are currently putting up necessary structures at the low-lift water facility at the Onuebonyi river.
The high lift water facility at the juju hill has been reactivated and is ready to receive the water from the low lift to pump water to various areas of the State and to the Iboko Water reservoir.
As I speak to you, the Iboko water reservoir is almost completed. The 500 cubic meter tank when completed, will cover a large area.
Ishiagu water scheme is another ongoing project dear to our hearts. The project is under construction now and it is meant to serve the entire Ivo Local Government area.
And of course, we have completely revitalized the Ezillo water treatment plant and the reservoir at Umuoghara.
My good people of Ebonyi State, be assured that the problem of perennial water scarcity will soon be over.
Environment
We have deployed huge resources to drive Ebonyi State Environmental policies.
Through our dogged effort to improve our environment, Ebonyi emerged as 1st in South East, 2nd in Southern Nigeria and 3rd in the entire country in climate Governance performance rating for 2024.
Other steps we have taken to get it right in the environment, includes
Rehabilitation and deployment of the Ebonyi Municipal waste sorting plant at Umuoghara Recycling Plant. Procurement, installation and operation of the a Recycling Plant in the sorting Plant at umuoghara.
Payment of 200 Million Naira Counterpart fund for the continuation of flood control with European Investments Bank among other interventions.
Commerce and Industry
In the area of Commerce and Industry, our administration has taken bold steps to industrialize the State, create more jobs for our youths and encourage local and direct foreign investment.
We disbursed N300,000 to 150 Ebonyians to support their businesses; N100,000 to another set of 500 Ebonyians and over 9000 Ebonyians were also credited with 50,000 Naira each to cushion the effect of hardship.
To match action with words, we have fully revived the State Pipe Production Company at Ezzangbo by procuring and installing PVC Pipes Extrusion line Machines and replaced all the armoured cables.
We have also procured HDPE Injection fitting machines, Moulds and accessories as well as PVC injection fitting machines, its mould and accessories.
All the necessary machines and accessories have been procured for the resuscitation of our Building Material Industry at Ezzangbo. Within the next few days the company will commence of concrete poles, box culvert rings Blocks amd others.
Power and Energy
Our Government is determined to provide steady power supply and expand same to our rural dwellings. As such;
We are discussing with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on the possibilities of establishing 330 Mega Watts power station in the State.
We have installed stand-alone solar-powered street lights in all the major streets of Abakaliki, Afikpo, Onueke, from Onuebonyi to Nwambara junction and the Satellite towns across the State.
To support indusrializion, we have rehabilitated the Iboko-Oferekpe Agbaja 33kva Iine, two number of 33/0.415kVA substation and ensured stable electricity in the important Industrial Areas on PRESCO to Ishieke axis in Abakaliki.
Works and Infrastructure
In areas of roads and bridges, we are determined to expand our roads infrastructure to rural areas and to strengthen our economy.
Within the last one year and few months we are proud to say that we are effectively present in over 700km of roads in the State. Some have been completed while the others are under construction. Some of the roads includes: Ishielu water works road
Nnorom Street, Udude - Ukwuakpu Street connecting Emefor, and Alo Streets
Pavement section of internal roads within Ebonyi State University,
Mile 50 - New layout - Abakaliki dual carriage way, 1.3km Ebonyi - Agro dealers market, Onuebonyi, Ogbaga Avenue, Onamba Street, Police Junction Road Ugwuachara, Emefor Extension
Olisemeke - Barr. Igweama - Amason Road, Main water Works Leading to Low lift pump, Umunze Street, Mbukobe Igwe Liga road, Former Secretariat Unity Square, Chiboy Nwenyi Street, Sakamori Lane; and 2 span Bridge at Oferekpe - Iziogo Road.
Works are progressing rapidly on; Oferekpe Agbaja Internal Roads, 23km Ezillo - Ezzagu Road, Agbaja - Ebia Unuhu Nkaliki Road, Ogbaga - Nwofe Road, 10.1 km Ovudechi Iziogo Road, 3.76km ihemechi-Okposi Road, 7.23km section of Iziogo - Ndiokeeda Road.
Under Ministry of Infrastructural Development for Concession, we are constructing: Ayodele Junction Erei Road; Akanu Ibiam Roundabout -Oyoyo Junction - Presbyterian Church Road, and extension from existing concrete pavement along Ibiam Road to IDO Junction, Unwana; Reconstruction of internal roads in Ndibe Nkpoghoro, Afikpo, Mater Hospital and Ogbuenyi Roads.
Human Capital Development
In our manifesto – The People’s Charter of Needs, we promised to promote vocational and technical education for skills enhancement, paying attention to that well-being of the people (Stomach Infrastructure). We have worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for our youth and women through skills acquisition programs, financial grants, and entrepreneurial support.
Summarily, we have continued to fulfil our promise through; Payment and distribution of debit cards to 17,000 beneficiaries across the 13 Local Government Areas.
Distributions of food and rehabilitation, relief/materials to 48,000 Ebonyians across the 13 Local Government Areas.
Disbursement and Assessment of ten Million Naira each to 31 Communities for community development projects in Ebonyi State.
Distribution of palliatives - rice and maize across the 13 Local Government Areas.
Distribution of food items to the disabled and less privileged Ebonyians. Increasing the number of CCT beneficiaries in Ebonyi State from 43, 000 to 220,000 Beneficiaries. Reviving the moribund Federal Government/World Bank Assisted Programmes in Ebonyi State, for instance - GEEPs CCT, N-power, socu, School Feeding. Initiation and implementation of social register, thereby qualify the State to benefit from the Federal Government/World Bank Assisted Programmes in Ebonyi State.
Empowerment of 500 Ebonyians with two million naira each.Empowerment of 2040 Ebonyi People with N180,000 each under the Labour Intensive Public Works of NG-CARES World Bank Programme.
Empowerment of 1500 Ebonyi Youths drawn from across the 13 LGAs of the State with N1,000,000 each.
First Batch of two months Intensive FONEP 2024 Empowerment for 100 Ebonyians on Agricultural Sectors like piggery, fishery, poetry, cassava processing, palm oil processing, production and packaging and their empowerment with N3,000,000 each.
Training of 1,700 Ebonyians and provision of funds for Community Development Projects
Distribution of 100,000 bags of rice to Ebonyians as palliatives to cushion the effect of the oil subsidy.
Procurement of thousands of bags of rice and garri for distribution to Ebonyians as a way of cushioning the effect of the economic realities in 2024.
Successful financing of 31 micro projects by the Community and Social Development Agency, EBCSCDA under the NG-CARES programme in 2023.
Financing of another batch of micro projects in 53 Communities across the State by the Community and Social Development Agency, EBCSCDA under the NG CARES programme. Ongoing Financing of another batch 2 of micro projects in 18 Communities by the Community and Social Development Agency, EBCSCDA under the NG-CARES programme. Ongoing execution of 15 micro projects under the Ebonyi State Community and Social Development Agency NG-Cares in 2024 among others
Housing
We are working hard to provide affordable and decent housing for the well-being of our people especially for displaced communities.
The 140 Izzo and Amanze housing estate is on course. Construction of standard bungalows for displaced persons at the University of ICT site is ongoing as well.
Rule of Law
It is our resolve not to give staff of office to any traditional ruler whose emergence is enmeshed in litigation. Our administration has prioritized justice, fairness, and accountability. We have strengthened our judiciary and empowered law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is accessible to all.
No Ebonyian is above the Law, and we are committed to upholding the principles of democracy in every facet of our governance. I have warned those selling communal lands to desist from such or be greeted by the long hands of the law.
Effective Public Service
Our State Public Service remain the backbone and engine room of our successes. We have prioritized their welfare and efficiency through;
Ensuring prompt and regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.
FREE transportation to and fro their work places with the help of our CNG buses.
Additional monthly allowance of N20,000 to each civil servant in Ebonyi State.
Recruitment of 1700 Ebonyians into the State civil service including the legislature and judiciary staff workers.
Payment of backlog of gratuities from 1996 till 2023.
N100,000 Christmas bonus to each Civil Servant in Ebonyi State in 2023.
As we look to the future, the way forward for our State is clear. We must continue to build on the foundations we have laid. Our vision is for a State where every Ebonyians have access to the basic necessities of life, where opportunities are abundant, and where justice and fairness prevail. We will continue to engage with the federal government, private sector, and international partners to bring more development to our State. Our focus will remain on inclusive growth, ensuring that no one is left behind.
In conclusion, I once again extend my deepest appreciation to His Excellency, Mr. President, for his continued support, and to all our stakeholders for their unwavering commitment. Together, we will continue to build a state that is prosperous, just, and united.
May God bless our State, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Happy Independence Anniversary to all.
Thank you.
