Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Saturday, declared a solemn moment as the Coal City State celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The Governor, who addressed a large crowd, including past military and civilian Governors of the State at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, said the event would have been put off considering the deadly attack on Attakwu community by suspected Fulani herdsmen two days ago.
DAILY POST reports that another victim of the attack also reportedly passed on Friday night, bringing the death toll to two. The old woman had matchet cuts in several parts of her body.
In his opening remarks, Ugwuanyi had declared: “Before I go into my speech, I will like to say that this is a solemn moment for the people of Enugu State as we recall the unfortunate events of last Thursday, the 25th of August, 2016 which led to the death of a Catholic Seminarian Lazarus Nwafor and severe injuries to four other citizens of this State at Attakwu in Nkanu West, Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“But for the fact that this ceremony has already been scheduled and preparations concluded, we would have been inclined to postpone this ceremony in appreciation of the profound feelings of the people of Enugu State over the sad development.
“We have, however, committed everything into the hands of God and I wish to assure you that we are doing all that are necessary to ensure that justice is done in this matter.
“Please join me as we observe a minute silence in honour of our deceased brother and also pray for the quick recovery of the injured ones.”
Recalling the events that led to the creation of the State on the 27th of August, 1991 by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration, he said, “It was a development that heralded a pleasant and much desired end to the long period of agitation by our leaders and fathers, for the creation of a State for the Wawa people of Igboland.
”The journey to the creation of Enugu State invariably started with the discovery of Coal and the subsequent development of the urban settlement of Enugu in 1909.
“Enugu, the Coal City has ever since then, continued to play a key role in the socio-political cum economic life of Nigeria”, he added.
The Governor further stated that, “as a State, Enugu has, by force of providence and by virtue of diligent enterprise, remained exceptionally favoured- a blessed state indeed!
“Among other things, she has produced and is still producing world class professionals and achievers in every field of endeavour.
“This long list includes a President of the Nigerian Senate in the person of Dr. Ken Nnamani GCON, a three-term Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, an award winning Professor of Robotics Engineering and founder of the first indigenously owned private sector power company in Nigeria, Professor Barth Nnaji and the first Nigerian winner of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Best Actor Award and Oscar award nominee, Chiwetelu Ejiofor.
“Enugu State is also the home of the first Igbo Medical Doctor, Dr Simon Onwu, the first Nigerian Justice of the World Court, Justice Daddy Onyeama, the first Nigerian football Captain to lift the African Nations Cup, Christian Chukwu MON among many others.
“Today, Enugu, the State capital, stands as one of the safest cities in Nigeria and a proud member of the elite club of 100 Resilient Cities in the world; the first and only one in Nigeria and one of the only five in Africa. It has also become the hub of the nation’s booming movie industry popularly referred to as ‘Nollywood’.”
While vowing not to relent in fulfilling all his campaign promises, he declared that, “an objective appraisal of our actions and achievements within this period, will not only show that we have kept faith with our promises but that we have put in place, the platform for even greater successes and to achieve all the targets we have set for our collective benefit and in fulfilment of the vision of the founding fathers of the State.
“I wish to reiterate our commitment to take development to the rural areas as part of our strategy to create new urban areas, boost socio-economic activities, create employment opportunities and reduce the pressure on Enugu metropolis.
“Also in line with our promises, we will continue to pursue the diversification of the State’s economy through the full exploitation of our vast land resources, particularly in the Nsukka and Greater Awgu areas, for agricultural production.”
“I will also like to use this platform to announce our decision to reconstitute the Enugu State Elders’ Council which we believe will help provide the necessary guidance and counsel to ensure the seamless development of Enugu State.
“We also intend to amend the Pension Laws of the State to accommodate past civilian Governors of the old Anambra and Enugu States and their deputies in appreciation of their contributions and services to the State.”
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