Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has paid tribute to his predecessors in office for their contributions to the development of the state, saying the foundations laid by successive administrations have positioned Ebonyi for greater development.
Nwifuru spoke on Sunday during a Holy Mass held to mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ebonyi State and the 66th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.
The governor, who attended the ceremony alongside former governors Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu, Chief Martin N. Elechi and Senator David Nweze Umahi, acknowledged the contributions of the former civilian governors to the growth of the state since its creation in 1996.
According to him, each administration had left an indelible mark on the state’s development, stressing that the progress recorded in Ebonyi was a product of the contributions of successive leaders and the collective efforts of the people.
Nwifuru particularly commended Egwu for his interventions and investments in education and literacy, while he credited Elechi and Umahi with significant infrastructure development across the state’s 13 local government areas.
He said the three former civilian governors had contributed to laying the foundation for democratic consolidation and governance in Ebonyi.
The governor also paid tribute to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, whose administration created Ebonyi State in 1996, as well as the state’s early military administrators, Navy Commander Walter Feghabo and Simeon Oduoye.
“We thank late Sani Abacha who found us worthy to be a state, and Feghabo all the way from Bayelsa, and Simeon Oduoye,” Nwifuru said.
He noted that the early administrators provided Ebonyians with political exposure and opportunities to serve in government, thereby contributing to the foundation of the emerging state.
Reflecting on Ebonyi’s 30-year journey, Nwifuru described the people as united, peaceful and hardworking, saying the prevailing atmosphere of peace had provided an enabling environment for accelerated development.
“We are very united, very calm and very hardworking people,” he said.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to consolidating the achievements of previous governments while implementing the People’s Charter of Needs, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, and the civil and public service.
He said the administration would continue to pursue projects and programmes capable of expanding economic opportunities and improving the standard of living of residents.
Nwifuru also announced the commencement of work on the proposed Abakaliki Cement Factory at Nkalagu in Ishielu Local Government Area, describing the project as another significant step towards strengthening the state’s industrial base.
The governor said the project was part of his administration’s broader efforts to promote industrialisation, create employment opportunities and expand the economic base of the state. The commencement was independently reported following the governor’s announcement at the anniversary thanksgiving service.
He further reaffirmed his commitment to infrastructure development, maintaining that several roads, tunnels, bridges, flyovers and university projects had either been completed or were ongoing across the state.
The governor also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as the Federal Government’s support for his administration and the development aspirations of Ebonyi State.
As Ebonyi marked three decades of statehood, Nwifuru said the anniversary provided an opportunity not only to celebrate the achievements of the past but also to strengthen the collective resolve to build a more prosperous future.
He said: “We honour our past, consolidate our present and build with confidence for the future.”
Nwifuru urged the people to sustain the unity and peaceful disposition that, according to him, remained among the state’s greatest assets, while assuring that his administration would remain focused on delivering development across the state.
