October 1, is Nigeria's Independence Day. But in Ebonyi State, the day has another meaning — the day the state was created out of the old Anambra and Abia States. It has, therefore, become a ritual to celebrate the day.
Thus, while some Nigerians were celebrating the countrys 44th Independence anniversary and others lamenting the crawling state of the state at 44, Ebonyi State was celebrating its eight Anniversary in keeping faith with tradition. For some natives of the state, however, the celebration was double-fold. On that day, the government of the state decided to honour some of them with an Award of Excellence which is akin to the national merit award. A surprising spectacle of the award ceremony was the list of awardees which transcended party and class lines.
However, one of the award winners, Senator Polycarp Nwite said he was not surprised Agiven the fact that Governor Sam Egwu stands out as a Nigerian with a large and compassionate heart and who does not see politics as a do-or-die affair@. Nwite should know. He contested the last gubernatorial race against Egwu under the banner of the United Nigeria People=s Party, UNPP. After the election which proved bookmakers wrong by being peaceful, all candidates including Nwite congratulated Egwu after he was declared winner by INEC.
Nwite had said at the time that he believes in politics without bitterness and that Apower belongs to God@. In line with this philosophy, he has since been preaching peace in the state and beyond. All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate, Sylvester Oduka, while paying Egwu a visit after the election had said that Ain any contest, there must be a winner and a loser for those of us who lost, what it means is that we will go back to our drawing board., see where we have faulted and make corrections@ And he reminded Egwu that - his re-election was another opportunity to Aserve Ebonyi State better than before.
While receiving him Egwu described Oduka and some others who contested as sportmen and called on other politicians to emulate their example.
Egwu was also magnanimous in victory. AI want to say that we shall form a broad-based government where those who won and those who lost shall come together and form a very strong government that will carry the state further, A he had said.
The spirit of sportsmanship and Egwus broad disposition to carry others along had led Nwite to mobilise his other colleagues to form the Ebonyi Democratic Movement, EDM, a coalition of all other registered political parties in Ebonyi State. This has in no little way helped in bringing about peace and unity in the state. Significantly, unlike in some other states across the country, the ruling party has been enjoying the support of all the other parties in the state. Aside Nwite, another awardee who ordinarily would have been considered a political outsider is former deputy governor, Dr. Emmanuel Isu who was dropped by Egwu as a running mate during the 2003 election. His contribution while serving was neither forgotten nor sacrificed on the altar of politics.
This kind of disposition to politics by Egwu has won him several accolades. Eminent constitutional lawyer, and former minister of education, Professor Ben Nwabueze said Egwu has transformed Ebonyi and that the Atransformation is the product not only of your wise leadership but also your many other qualities selflessness, single mindedness, probity, concern for the public good, disdain for self-aggrandizement, self-glorification and egoism@. He also said Egwu=s has been a Aleadership committed to the service of the people, a leadership with a broad and enlightened vision, a leadership imbued with a zeal and a fervour to improve the conditions of the people as a legacy for posterity.
Where other state governors would have nothing to do with their predecessors, preferring to see them as belonging to the locust years of military incursion into Nigerias body politics, Egwu sees them differently.
Among those honoured were two former military Administrators of the state, Navy Captain Walter Feghabor who, Egwu hailed by saying, Athe huge achievements recorded in Ebonyi state now would have been difficult without the solid foundation laid by the young Navy captain and Assistant Inspector General of Police Simeon Oduoye who, Egwu said, Aremakarbly built upon the solid foundation of Feghabor. The past was not forgotten. Pioneer missionary, Rev. Thomas McGettrick who built 502 schools, four major hospitals, two leprosy clinics, 33 segregation collages and 92 treatment centres before his death in 1988 was honoured for his Ahealth and educational pioneership in Ebonyi State.
The bulk of award recipients were those who fought for the creation of Ebonyi state. Aside Nwite, others were Chief Francis Oji, former Minister for Police Affairs; Isu; Senator Andrew Nwankwo, a second republic Senator; Chief Okeagu Ogadah, a former Attorney General of the state who in the course of the struggles for the state was shot; Chief Innocent Uthulor Chima, Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Ebonyi State; Eze Agwu Nwogo Agwu, a former National Assembly member and Chief Nwegede Nwangbo, another former National Assembly member who was recognized as one of the political fathers of the state.
Senator Julius Ucha, former speaker of the state House of Assembly were honoured for exemplary leadership of the state legislature while he held sway, making the state legislature Athe most stable and peaceful in the country@. Former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Icha Ituma, now Nigerias Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, was honoured for Ahis transparent and meritorious service in Ebonyi state while late Justina Agbo, a teacher whose role in the aggressive mobilisation of women and their emancipation was posthumously recognised.
For being an amazon of evangelism and succuor to the less privileged in Ebonyi state, Governor Egwu=s wife was specially recognized.
According to the award committee, through her Hope for Child and Less Privileged trust fund, Mrs. Eunice Egwu has built a magnificent ultra-modern Women Development Centre housing the Family Law centre, Skill Acquisition centre and others. She has also built 68 houses for 68 widows, offered employment to several widows and scholarship to many less privileged young girls yearly; introduced and annually celebrates the Ebonyi Womens Day and Ebonyi Widows Day; paid hospital bills and school fees for handicapped persons and introduced the school evangelism programme.
This Ebonyi example is what should be replicated on other states of the country if we should play politics without bitterness in the interest of the growth and development of the whole country.
