Determined to tackle the challenges posed by the menace of herdsmen in the state, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday inaugurated the recently constituted Security Committee in the state, chaired by a high-ranking military veteran, Brigadier-General Fred Eze (rtd) who was also appointed as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters.
The committee also comprises members of the Enugu State Executive Council, members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Security Agencies, Local Government Council Chairmen, representatives of the Fulani, Shuwa Arab and Hausa communities in Enugu State, representatives of Cattle Market Traders, Traditional Rulers, Presidents-General of Town Unions, Neighbourhood Watch Associations, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Student leaders in Enugu State.
Inaugurating the committee at the Executive Council hall of the Government House, Enugu, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that the committee was “charged with the responsibility of taking all necessary and lawful measures to ensure security and lasting peace and harmony among various communities and in all corners of the State.”
The governor said that the constitution of the Committee was also necessitated by the desire of his administration to consolidate the enviable status of the state through the continued maintenance of a high level of security and the elimination and prevention of circumstances or incidents that threaten peace and security of lives and property in the state.
He disclosed that similar committees will be constituted in each Local Government Council and in all the political wards in the state and will be coordinated at the ward level by the immediate past Local Government Councilors and serving Executive Assistants, to ensure the engagement of all stakeholders in addressing security issues in their respective communities.
While maintaining that “Enugu State is in the hands of God”, the governor stressed that the state was “rated as one of the most secure and peaceful states in the country”, adding that it would continue to enjoy a pride of place as the first and only city in the country to be listed among the 100 Most Resilient Cities of the world.
Gov. Ugwuanyi therefore, enjoined members of the committee to approach the important task with requisite zeal, sincerity and commitment, in the interest of the public, assuring them of the full support and cooperation of the State Government towards the attainment of its set objectives.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Brigadier-General Eze thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve the state, assuring that they will discharge their responsibilities diligently and ensure the enthronement of enduring peace and security in the state.
Brigadier-General Eze has held many important and strategic positions among which were: Sector Commander, Sector South and simultaneously, Nigerian Contingent Commander African Union/United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur, Sudan; Chief of Staff, Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji, Kaduna; Deputy Director, Plans, Department of Policy and Plans, Defence Headquarters, Garki Abuja; Team Leader, United Nations Mission in Congo (MONUC), Democratic Republic of Congo; Company Commander, Nibatt 1 (29 bn), United Nations Protection Force (Unprpfor), Croatia, former Yugoslavia and many others.
