Ahead of 2019 general election, the enthusiastic workers in Enugu State and the entire youth of the state have reiterated their stance on the earlier endorsement of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s re-election, declaring that they are solidly behind him.
The workers and youths, who spoke separately through the state chairmen of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe and Comrade Paschal Ugwu, respectively, said the decision was based on their conviction that the governor has continued to entrench good governance, cater for their welfare and promote peaceful co-existence and national unity among residents of the state.
They described the governor as a God-fearing, peace-loving, visionary, hardworking, unassuming, pragmatic and high-performing leader, whose style of governance is uncommon and remarkable in the annals of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the workers, the state Chairman of TUC, Comrade Igbokwe applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for his prompt payment of salaries on the 23rd of every month, “whether it falls on a Saturday or Sunday”.
Comrade Igbokwe added that Ugwuanyi “is a governor who makes workers’ welfare his first priority”, disclosing that “he paid June and July salaries even when FAAC did not sit for two months”, saying: “It is not obtainable anywhere”.
Reaffirming their earlier stance on the endorsement of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s re-election, the elated labour leader, who lauded the governor’s giant strides in infrastructural development and human capital empowerment, said: “We are supporting his second term bid and every other endeavour beyond his 2nd term, we will always stand by him.
On the part of Enugu youths, the NYCN state Chairman, Comrade Ugwu, stated that “our youth-friendly governor has actually delivered on his promises to the youth in particular and the people of the state in general, disclosing that “youths in Enugu State are celebrating good governance and the peaceful atmosphere in Enugu State, made possible through His Excellency’s sound vision and humble disposition”.
While reaffirming the unanimous endorsement of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s re-election in 2019 by the entire students and youths of Enugu State, the youth leader, lauded the governor for the recent appointment of Comrade Ogechukwu Nnaneme and Comrade Chidi Ilogebe as Special Assistants on Youth and Students Affairs, respectively.
The labour leader, Comrade Igbokwe, who further disclosed that the workers are happy with Gov. Ugwuanyi’s leadership style, said: “We have never had it so good before. For the first time, we are having a governor who has a listening ear. He has compassion for workers and carries labour along in taking decisions that affect them.
“I will tell you that in the last three and half years, Gov. Ugwuanyi has been in office, we have had more than 20 meetings with him and this was responsible for the successes we have recorded so far.
“So, we are delighted to say that in the three and half years of Ugwuanyi’s administration, the labour has fared very, very well in Enugu State. The workers are happy.
“Some arrears as far back as 2004, 2007, particularly the one of ENADEP he has started paying it gradually. There are people that are owed gratuity for a very long time ago and he has also set up a platform for the payment of those benefits by setting aside the sum of N100 million every month. This is a very welcome development.
“Now people can be in their house and they will be called from the Office of the Accountant General to come and pick up their cheque. This is something that has never happened before. We have industrial peace in Enugu State. We are part of the committee that disbursed the bailout fund and the Paris club refunds, and above all, we are also part of the committee that fashioned ways on how to address workers’ issues and we love it unlike taking a decision without involving us”.
Speaking further, the youth leader maintained that the recent appointments of youths were a demonstration of the governor’s interest in the growth of young persons in the state as well as his commitment to students’ welfare and youths’ inclusiveness.
His words: “Your Excellency, with 60% voting strength of the youth out of the number of eligible voters in Enugu State, we firmly re-assure you that your re-election is 100% guaranteed by God’s grace”.
