By Uche Eze

A former law-maker in Enugu State, Dr. Emma Ugwuerua on Monday paid glowing tribute to the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi at his 60th birthday anniversary.

Ugwuerua, who represented Nsukka West State Constituency at the 7th Enugu State House of Assembly, noted that Ugwuanyi deserves commendation, stressing that it is good to give honour to who honour is due.

According to him, Ugwuanyi did his best to re-define democracy by promoting political inclusiveness and participation of the masses in the governance of the state, adding that he moved Enugu to an enviable level through improved infrastructural development, human capacity building as well as beefing up security for free flow of interaction and peaceful co-existence among the people.

“It is always important to give honour to who honour is due. This is the engine of appreciation and encouragement for better performance.

As the governor of Enugu State, Ugwuanyi re-defined political ideologies of the State and ensured that the principles of democracy; which are equity, fairness and justice are brought into play. Democracy was rekindled and the light shone on every nook and cranny of the State through massive infrastructural development, human capacity building and empowerment of the people.

It is on record that Ugwuanyi lifted many people from grass to grace through political appointments, employment into civil service, skills acquisitions, among others.

He also re-built and re-branded the essential sectors of the State’s Economy like Education, Health, Judiciary; and ensured as well the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the State through the institution of strong security outfits and adequate support to the personnel.

Besides, after he had completed his terms in office, he still deemed it necessary to sponsor medical outreach in the state to improve on the health of the people. He did a lot to the people and should therefore be given accolade”, he said.

The former law-maker enjoined the people of Enugu state, friends and well-wishers cut across board to celebrate Ugwuanyi, who he described as a visionary and result oriented leader at this festive period.

Chief Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi was born on March 20, 1964 to the family of Chief and Mrs. David Ugwuanyi of the blessed memory in Orba Udulekenyi in Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State. He was a former General Manager of Premier Brokers Limited Enugu, a foremost Insurance firm in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria, a three term of twelve years House of Representatives member that represented Igbo-Eze North-Udenu Federal Constituency. He was deputy chairman of the House Committee on Pensions, where he was actively involved in the passage of Pension Reform Act of 2004.

He was also a two-term chairman of House Committee on Marine Transport, a position he held until he left the legislative chamber to contest for the governorship position of Enugu State in 2015, which he won under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and which he remained as the Executive Governor of the State until 2023 when His Excellency, Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubisi Mbah took over the mantle of leadership of the State.