“The true mark of a leader is the willingness to stick with a bold course of action — an unconventional business strategy, a unique product-development roadmap, a controversial marketing campaign — even as the rest of the world wonders why you’re not marching in step with the status quo.
In other words, real leaders are happy to zig while others zag. They understand that in an era of hyper-competition and non-stop disruption, the only way to stand out from the crowd is to stand for something special.”
-Bill Taylor, from article “Do You Pass the Leadership Test?”
The above analogy unveils in its uniqueness and clarity, the personality of His Excellency and working Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Lawrence Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi; whose leadership exemplification and unequal record of accomplishments in the state under his watch remains a testament.
Upon his assumption of office in 2015 as Governor, ‘Gburugburu’ as he is fondly called by admirers, has left no one in doubt about his commitment and ingenuity to redefine, redesign, restructure, rebrand and reconfigure the state political hemisphere with ‘sui-generis’-leadership imprints which currently pervades the political space.
However, beyond what the citizens know and think generally about governance, which includes road infrastructure, mass housing programs and reshaping of government institutions with modern Buildings, rural development, in terms of opening up our localities; provision of adequate and accessible health care system, investments in agriculture, workers’ welfare, provision of security, investments in education, human and capacity development and interventions such as in covid-19 response, interventions in upgrading of judiciary (infrastructure wise); which are the hallmarks of the present Governor, the best of Dr. ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is in his ‘peaceful’ disposition.
“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.” —John F. Kennedy once stated.
And this particular ambience of Quality leadership Under His Excellency, Dr. Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was once again, trumpeted to the highest level, when a few days ago, Enugu West Senatorial zone, organized a mega rally, christened ‘Ife-Emeluma’; where they extolled the Governor’s virtues as well as urged him to continue steering the ship of governance in the state in fairness and equity without fear or favor, like he has always done.
The Enugu West mega rally was so spectacular in many ways – one is because it was, an amplification of the earlier stance of Enugu North and Enugu East Senatorial zones which had earlier matched in solidarity with the ‘peace’ loving Governor of the state during their various rallies dubbed ‘Odinma’ Nsukka political rally and ‘Oganiru’ political rally, organized by the two zones respectively.
Governor ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi’s peaceful and most Sterling leadership style in the country is second to none. And this singular lifestyle of ‘treating peace with all men’ as the scripture has rightly instructed, is the sole reason Enugu state under his Excellency remains a Primus inter-pairs.
This is where our Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is hundred steps ahead of his peers in the committee of governors across the nation. He exudes with peace. He is peace personified. An encounter with His Excellency will leave this reader with a mind of gold, watered with an ice and laced with a feeling of completeness. And that is what the governor embodies.
“Peace is liberty in tranquility.” —Marcus Tullius Cicero had opined. And “Peace begins with a smile.” —Mother Teresa had also revealed. However, “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” —Albert Einstein had noted.
Can you now see why everything is falling in pleasant places under his Excellency, the executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi? There is no gainsaying the fact that the oneness of mind from the LGAs to state government institutions, and from the ruling party in the state to other political parties, is a direct case of peaceful atmospheric proclivity.
‘Peace’ has remained the most potent tool through which the state under His Excellency flourishes in the manner it does without hitches. The governor typifies peace. He exudes same. And then, it radiates through his ‘white’ appearance (which so many of us his Disciples are already trying to copy), to different structures and other segments of the state, under his watch.
Indeed, Enugu State is in the hands of God.
Rt. Hon. Barr. Jonathan Chukwuma, a former deputy Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly is currently, SPA to the Governor of Enugu State on Inter-party Affairs.
By Jonathan Chukwuma