Second term: Bishop Chukwuma says no state is as peaceful as Enugu... urges Ugwuanyi to build legacy projects

Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma

Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma has appealed to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to leave legacies that posterity would remember him for.

Chukwuma who made the appeal on Sunday in Enugu in a sermon during an Inter-denominational Christian Service for the second term inauguration of the governor expressed gratitude to God for the peace, unity and good governance being enjoyed in Enugu State under the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Archbishop Chukwuma who maintained that “no state in Nigeria is as peaceful as Enugu State”, also thanked God for the peaceful general election in the state and successful first term of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, declaring that God is in control of his second term.

He however urged the governor to choose aides that would assist in translating his vision for the state into reality in his second term in office.

The priest, while speaking on the topic, `Setting the Nation on Higher Level of Peace and Fear of God’, said that the governor had laid a good foundation for a successful second term.

Chukwuma however, said that for the governor to succeed in his aspirations, he must avoid people with hypocritical and cosmetic love for him.

“A lot is ahead of you and what you need is to find out those who understand the needs of the state. These are the type you must choose as either commissioners or others,” he said.

The bishop, who encouraged the governor to be firm in decision making and not to be muscled by ‘career politicians’, said that most of the government appointees in the state had outlived their usefulness.

“Tell those that have been working with you to stay away. Many of them are what we call, any government in power’.

“Politics is not a profession. So, they should take a rest let others be given the opportunity.

“If you have done well as a government appointee, your work will speak for you but if you have not done well your conscience will judge you,” he said.

Chukwuma urged the governor to put a searchlight on revenue collectors in the state, adding that much underhanded businesses were going on among such people.

“They print receipts for backyard fees and levies. These are the type of people you have and they must go,” he said.

The archbishop said that the governor had achieved much with little resources but observed that a lot still needed to be done.

He said that employment under the current administration in the state had been second to none just as road construction had been taken to a new height.

Chukwuma said that the second term of the governor would be more challenging as other critical areas like agriculture must be looked into.

He commended the governor for taking measures to complete the abandoned International Conference Centre which was started by former governor Chimaroke Nnamani, adding that the project must be inaugurated by Ugwuanyi.

“This second term will be a success for the governor and his team. Do not allow the events around you to control you but allow God to direct you.

“I followed the last election and discovered the polls in Enugu were the most peaceful. It is God that did it and we are here to rejoice,” Chukwuma said.

The Archbishop equally lauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for his swift intervention in averting the move to downgrade the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, calling on the South East governors to put more efforts to safeguard the airport.

Other highlights of the inter-denominational service, which was graced by the governor’s wife, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, his deputy; Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi; the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Priscilla Emehelu; President, Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice George Nnamani; former Governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; Senator Chukwuka Utazi; Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi; PDP State Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani; State Commissioner of Police, Sulieman Balarabe; Archbishop of Enugu Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Christopher Ede; Bishop Godwin Madu of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) among others, were Bible readings, praise worship and intercessory prayers for the Church, the Nation, the poor, the governor and security of the state and country.