● Ferdy Agu with additional reports by Pascal Chibuzo

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has emphasized the need for innovation and impactful governance at the grassroots as he declared open the three-day Executive Leadership Retreat for newly elected Local Government Council Chairmen. The retreat, themed “Aligning Strategy for Sustainable Economic and Infrastructure Delivery at the Local Government Level,” aimed to equip council chairmen, their deputies, and Heads of Personnel Management (HPMs) with the knowledge and skills to deliver sustainable development in their respective areas.

Speaking at the event, Governor Mbah urged the leaders to embrace innovative strategies and avoid complacency. “The honeymoon is over. The people of Enugu State expect nothing less than transformational leadership. You must focus on results, target setting, and thinking outside the box to improve your communities,” he said. The governor further charged the chairmen to ensure transparent management of resources, adding, “You have a duty to be strategic and accountable because the funds available to you belong to the people.”

The retreat featured a series of presentations from key experts, including Professor Osita Ogbu, a former Chief Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo. In his lecture, Ogbu emphasized the critical role of local governments in driving the state’s broader economic goals. “Local governments are essential in achieving the $30 billion GDP target set by the Mbah administration. This can only be realized through the mobilization of domestic revenue and prudent fiscal management,” Ogbu remarked, drawing attention to the need for local leaders to adopt sustainable economic practices.

Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Ocheku, Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), highlighted the importance of healthcare delivery at the grassroots. “Primary healthcare services are the foundation of any functional healthcare system. We are working tirelessly to recruit additional staff and upgrade facilities in primary healthcare centers across all local government areas to close manpower gaps and improve service delivery,” she said, urging the chairmen to support healthcare initiatives in their areas.

John Ogbodo, Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Council, expressed his appreciation for the retreat, noting the practical knowledge gained. “This retreat has been an eye-opener for all of us. It has changed our mindset and equipped us with the tools to lead effectively. Anyone who missed it certainly missed a lot,” Ogbodo stated. His counterpart from Udenu Local Government Council, Aka Eze Aka, echoed these sentiments, saying, “The training was informative and focused on practical leadership. As council chairmen, we are now better prepared to meet the expectations of our people.”

Security was another key topic during the retreat, with Vincent Onyeabor, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Security, emphasizing the need for collaboration between local government councils and state security agencies. “Security is crucial for the success of any development project. Without security, there can be no meaningful progress. It is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your communities,” Onyeabor said, encouraging the chairmen to prioritize security.

Engr. Emeka Ani, SSA to the Governor on ICT, spoke on the need for local governments to adopt technology to enhance governance and service delivery. “ICT is a game changer in governance. We are rolling out digital solutions that will help local councils streamline their operations, reduce bureaucracy, and improve service delivery to the people,” Ani remarked, stressing that technology would be central to the success of the Mbah administration’s development agenda.

Also in attendance was Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, whose presence underscored the importance of aligning fiscal policies with the state’s development agenda.

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, coordinated the event, ensuring that the program ran smoothly. Onyia’s leadership was instrumental in guiding the discussions and ensuring that the key takeaways were aligned with the state’s development objectives.

Throughout the retreat, participants were exposed to various strategies aimed at driving grassroots development, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic growth. Ongoing projects such as the 260 Smart Green Schools, 10,000 kilometers of road infrastructure, and the establishment of Type-2 primary healthcare centers were highlighted as examples of the Mbah administration’s commitment to sustainable development.

An Head of Personnel Management at the retreat who pleaded anonymity remarked, “This initiative by Governor Mbah is a clear indication that the administration is serious about empowering local governments. The council chairmen now have the responsibility to implement what they’ve learned and bring tangible results to their communities.”

As the retreat concluded, the participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear mandate to deliver on their promises. Governor Mbah’s administration has set the stage for transformation, and the onus now lies on the local government leaders to take up the challenge and drive Enugu State towards a brighter, more prosperous future.

The retreat has been described as a pivotal moment for Enugu State’s leadership, providing a roadmap for aligning local governance with the state’s broader development agenda. With a focus on innovation, accountability, and impactful leadership, the newly trained council chairmen are expected to translate the lessons learned into actionable strategies that will uplift the lives of the people they serve. GMTNewsng

…Trailblazing Leadership Celebrated as Engr. Chris Obiorah Immortalizes Her Legacy

In a grand tribute on Saturday, October 6, 2024, Nnewi celebrated H.E. (Dr) Dame Virgy Etiaba, CON, Nigeria’s first female governor, by naming the town’s longest boulevard in her honor. The local government council chairman, Engr. Chris Obiorah, led the ceremony to immortalize Dame Etiaba’s legacy, naming the newly unveiled Dame Virgy Etiaba Street as a symbol of her meritorious service to Anambra State and the nation. The event drew prominent figures, reflecting the widespread respect and admiration for the trailblazing former governor.

Reflecting on the honor, Engr. Obiorah stated, “It is a generally known maxim in life that no person ever gets honored for what they received. Honour has always been the reward for what people gave. Today, we honor a woman who gave her all for the service of our people and our nation.”

Dame Etiaba, who served as the Governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2007, received this distinguished honor while alive, a rarity that underscores the depth of her impact. “People are often honoured after their demise, but it always feels even better to witness people’s perception of your legacy while alive. I congratulate Mama and all those that conceived this noble gesture,” Obiorah added during his presentation.

Dame Virgy Etiaba (middle) after unveiling the street name

The council chairman handed Dame Etiaba a certificate of honor, stating that it symbolized the appreciation of the people of Nnewi for her meritorious contributions to the development of the community and the nation. He emphasized that her legacy of service and leadership remains a beacon for current and future generations.

Industrialist Dr. Cletus Madubugwu Ibeto, speaking at the event, praised the gesture as a fitting recognition for a respected and strong woman. “Dame Etiaba’s strength, resilience, and commitment to the people of Anambra and Nigeria make her deserving of this honor. I commend Chairman Obiorah for ensuring that this legacy will be remembered for generations,” Ibeto said.

Responding on behalf of the Etiaba family, her son, Emeka Etiaba, SAN, expressed deep gratitude for the honor bestowed on his mother. “This is indeed a great honor, and it is even more special that this recognition is happening while my mother is still alive. We thank Engr. Obiorah and the people of Nnewi for this thoughtful initiative,” he said.

Dame Virgy Etiaba has long been recognized as a trailblazer in Nigerian politics. Her tenure as governor marked a significant milestone in the history of female leadership in the country, and her contributions continue to inspire many. With the street now bearing her name, her legacy is cemented in the very fabric of Nnewi’s landscape.

The event attracted an array of dignitaries, including the Obi Ogidi of Uruagu, Obi Bennet Okafor of Umudim; Mr. Innocent Okolie, president-general of Uruagu community; and Honourable Echezo Anazodo, the newly elected chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Council. All present lauded the chairman’s efforts in preserving the town’s heritage through this symbolic gesture.

Hon. Anazodo, in his remarks, noted, “Leadership is about legacy, and today we are witnessing the celebration of a legacy that will inspire us all. Dame Etiaba’s leadership paved the way for many women, and we are proud to honor her while she is still with us.”

The event was a reminder that honor is best given not just in memory of the dead but in celebration of the living. Dame Virgy Etiaba Street now stands as a testament to her enduring contributions and the respect she commands both within Nnewi and beyond.

As Nnewi continues to develop, this gesture reinforces the importance of remembering those who laid the foundation for progress. For Dame Etiaba, this street will forever symbolize her dedication to public service and the deep admiration of her people. GMTNewsng

Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent lawyer, has openly criticized the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for disregarding a Supreme Court judgment in favor of a Federal High Court ruling regarding local government elections in Rivers State. Okonkwo, in his statement, called this action a violation of legal hierarchy, stressing that all authorities involved in the election, including the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), should have followed the Supreme Court’s directive. The Court had earlier mandated that local government elections must be conducted within 90 days.

Speaking during a live TV show, Okonkwo expressed his disappointment over Egbetokun’s decision, likening it to a situation where a junior officer disobeys the order of a senior officer. He argued that the supremacy of the Supreme Court’s rulings over lower courts should never be in question. According to Okonkwo, “The IG of Police going against the judgment of the Supreme Court because he is parading the judgment of a High Court is blasphemy.”

Okonkwo further elaborated his analogy by saying that if the IGP were to give an order to a police corporal, and that corporal chose to obey a conflicting directive from a lower-ranking officer instead, such behavior would never be tolerated within the force. “If the IG of Police gives an order, and a police corporal disobeys it because a commissioner of police gave a contrary order, the IG would not hesitate to take disciplinary action against that officer,” Okonkwo explained. He emphasized that the same principle applies to the judiciary, where the Supreme Court’s decisions must be upheld without exception.

In his remarks, Okonkwo underscored the importance of respecting the rule of law, particularly when it comes to electoral matters that directly affect democratic governance. “Every institution, including the police and INEC, must be held accountable to the highest legal authority, which is the Supreme Court,” he said. The lawyer warned that disregarding the Court’s judgments could lead to a breakdown of the legal framework that guides the country’s democratic processes.

Okonkwo’s comments come in the wake of widespread criticism against the handling of the Rivers State local government election, where some officials were accused of failing to conduct elections within the timeline set by the Supreme Court. Legal observers and political stakeholders have voiced concerns that the IGP’s reliance on a Federal High Court judgment undermines the integrity of the electoral system.

According to Okonkwo, the Supreme Court’s directive should have been the final word in the matter, and the IGP’s decision to act otherwise sends a dangerous message. “The actions of the IGP suggest that lower courts can override the Supreme Court, which is a complete distortion of justice,” Okonkwo stated.

The criticism has sparked debates among legal experts, with many agreeing with Okonkwo’s position that the Supreme Court’s authority should never be compromised. The legal community is now watching closely to see how the issue will be resolved, with some calling for stronger adherence to the rule of law in future electoral disputes. GMTNewsng