Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Thursday, February 16, 2023, commissioned the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, founded by his administration, in keeping to his promise to increase access to quality Medical University education and provide accessible, quality and affordable healthcare service delivery to the people.
Governor Ugwuanyi, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial zone, performed the inauguration in the company of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Afojulu Raymond Ozemena, representative of Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kenneth Okpe, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and his running mate, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, the Vice Chancellor of the medical university, Prof. James Ogbonna and other principal officers, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah represented by the Vicar General of the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Greg Amuluche Nnamani, among others
The Governor shortly after the unveiling of the University, delivered the 5th Adada Lecture titled , “Leadership Education and Inclusive Development,” organised by the Association of Nsukka Professors (ANP).
Delivering the lecture, Governor Ugwuanyi hinted that ,” the concept of inclusive development is about a development that does not leave any person , part or group out”.
He said, “On our assumption of office, we were clearly aware of the enormous responsibilities before us , including the maintenance of peace.and security of life of the people, the maintenance of their welfare, the education of the children, the revision of social amenities etc.
“Although it was a period of serious economic depression, my conviction was and still, is that world economies have become knowledge-driven economies coupled with my firm belief that sheer will, determination, and commitment to our goals of governance will definitely, make a great difference.”
” In unveiling my four point agenda, I committed myself to employment generation, enhanced social services and good governance, rural development and indeed security and justice. We pledged to take all necessary measures to ease the difficulties and hardships encountered by our people as they go about their daily activities.
He continued, “although our adminstration at it’s inception in 2015, witnessed a recession, and thus the only administration in the history of Enugu state that has witnessed two recessions in its lifetime, the policy thrust of my administration and programmes spelt out my unwavering commitment to the people
“We did not only hand over the state into the hands of God, we adopted an inclusive development approach, a behavioral pattern that influences people in a manner consistent with or conducive to basic democratic principles and process as self-determination, inclusiveness, equal participation and deliberation. Whatever level of development we achieved in the past eight years may be attributed to this leadership approach.”, he said.
Governor Ugwuanyi highlighted his achievements on peace, security, education ,agriculture, health, infrastructure, rural development, sports, judiciary, among others.
He said, “consequently upon the resolution of the South East Governors Forum, I remain he first Governor to constitute and set up Enugu state Forest guards backed by legislation in addition to the Neighborhood Watch to check the menace of criminals especially in our rural communities which aligns with my policy and emphasis on the development of our rural communities
“Security agencies and all law enforcement operators in the state receive on a regular basis , countless support from our administration ranging from Goodwill, cooperation and all manner of innumerable logistics, assistance in vehicles, in funding support, acommodation etc to make their tasks easier and their operations more effective and protective of Ndi Enugu”.
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On education, Governor Ugwuanyi mentioned massive construction and renovation of classroom blocks and hostels in the secondary school across the six education zones of Post Primary Schools Management(PPSMB), recruitment of 7,030 primary and secondary School teachers, conversion of 1,000 teachers initially recruited as Ad-hoc staff to permanent staff and releasing of all outstanding arrears of promotion, massive infrastructural development in state’s tertiary institutions, full funded international and local scholarship to Enugu youths, among others..
He said that his administration was determined to take Enugu state above the frays of clannish recriminations and perennial political crisis.
“We have in the last eight years, made conscious efforts to hold and sustain peace and security and these efforts have yeilded incredible results to the extent that without prejudice to isolated incidences, which are not absolutely unexpected in any human society, Enugu state has by the grace of God, since become and remains a destination of choice in the South East and beyond.”
He thanked the organizers of the event for giving him the opportunity to deliver the lecture.
In his speech, the Guest of Honour and Vice Chancellor of SUMAS, Professor James Ogbonna, commended Governor Ugwuanyi for establishing the University. He said that the governor had provided opportunities for the people of Enugu to achieve education and that will lead to development.
The Vice Chancellor said that the University used the National University Commission’s guidelines in taking off. He thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for enacting the University to law.
According to Professor Ogbonna, the facilities in the University included, faculty buildings with 8 classrooms, medical centre, teaching hospital, administrative block, ICT building, solar powered street lights , industrial borehole among others.
He said, “Go around the Campus and be convinced that this man( Governor Ugwuanyi) has done a lot for us.”
He thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for appointing them to take off the University.
In his opening remarks,the chairman of the event, Hon. Justice Cletus Nweze of Supreme Court of Nigeria, who was represented by Justice Kenneth Okpe, said that the topic for the lecture was, “Leadership, education and inclusive development “, by Governor Ugwuanyi.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of Association of Nsukka Professors, Professor Osy Okanyi described the topic of the 5Th Adada lecture as apt and carefully chosen. He thanked the organisers of the event and the guests for honouring their invite.
The event was well attended by people from different walk of life.