The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara yesterday assured the people of Enugu State that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi would deliver on his mandate.
Dogara, who spoke on Sunday at the grand reception organised by Enugu North senatorial district at Government Field, GRA, Nsukka, said his conviction that Ugwuanyi would perform well stemmed from his person and style of leadership while in the House of Representatives.
“I have no doubt of the kind of leadership he will bring to the table of Enugu State, he is so progressive minded,” Dogara said, adding that for Ugwuanyi having spent twelve years at the House, he was a worthy ambassador.
In his response, Ugwuanyi, who was conferred with Gburugburu Nsukka Zone, by Igwe Raphael S.N. Eze, thanked the people of the zone for organising the reception and for the title conferred on him.
He also thanked the people of the state for their support, promising to take the state to the next level.
In his welcome address, the chief host and Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Chuka Utazi went down memory lane as he traced the root of the people of the zone to Adada, saying that “all citizens of Nsukka Senatorial Zone of all persuasions, coming together in single-minded purpose to honour our illustrious son, is only a reflection of that characteristic of Ndi Adada.”
He told the governor that “we are here gathered to say in one breath and in one voice, a hearty congratulations to you on your well-deserved victory in the 2015 gubernatorial elections in Enugu State.
“Your victory is a reflection of the appreciation of the people for your years of distinguished public service. Destiny has beckoned on you at this time to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of leadership in Enugu State.
“We are confident that your pedigree and inscrutable focus shall move our people many years ahead. You are carrying the aggregate of the hopes of a people. We know you will be a leading light of this generation in terms of the quality of leadership you would demonstrate.”
Senator Utazi noted with delight that within five months Ugwuanyi assumed office, he has calibrated the directional compass for sustainable development and enduring peace in the state.
“Your strategic policy initiative, driven by the visionary urban renewal programme, is already yielding concrete dividends. You have brought all hands on deck in your transformative leadership with orientation for team work.
“Your style has brought leaders and followers together, irrespective of divergent persuasions, into the ship of stewardship headed towards a safe harbour. Also worthy of commendation is your avowed commitment to maintain a character of balance and even handedness in running the affairs of Enugu State.
“Your trademark of openness, transparency and accountability as well as consistency in upholding democratic principles are, in like manner, commended and encouraged,” he said.
Other dignitaries who attended the grand reception which was preceded by a thanksgiving mass held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral, Nsukka included the Governor Ibrahim Dangwabo of Gombe State; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; Senator Gil Nnaji; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Pius Anyim Pius;former Enugu Governor, Mr Sullivan Chime; Speaker of Enugu House of Assembly, Hon Edward Ubosi.
Others are: billionaire businessman, Prince Arthur Eze who donated the sum of N50m to the Church at during the church service; former Information Minister, Chief John Nnia Nwodo Jnr, Hon Toby Okechukwu, Hon Pat Asadu, Prof. Osita Ogbu, Prof. Simon Ortuanya others.
