Ebonyi@30: We have fulfilled our purpose of creation –Nwifuru
Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi says the state is steadily fulfilling the purpose for which it was created 30 years ago.
Nwifuru stated this in Abakaliki on Thursday in his address marking the 30th anniversary of Ebonyi and Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
He said his administration was focused on creating a sustainable future for the younger generation through education, infrastructure, healthcare and economic opportunities.
The governor said the administration had constructed 39 model classroom blocks across the 13 Local Government Areas and introduced local and foreign postgraduate scholarships for deserving Ebonyi graduates.
He said ongoing projects in tertiary institutions included hostel and faculty buildings, while the monthly subvention to Ebonyi State University had been increased from N150 million to N280 million.
On infrastructure, Nwifuru said more than 1,000 kilometres of roads had been completed across the state since 2023, alongside two-kilometre roads in each community.
He said the projects were aimed at improving connectivity, movement of agricultural produce and access to markets, schools and hospitals.
“As a people, we have fought hard. As a state and nation, we have endured challenges. As a state, we have transformed from the circumstances of our creation into a proud component of the Nigerian Federation”, he said
“One of the major interventions is the construction of 43 modern secondary schools, employed teachings and provide learning materials and textbook,” he said.
The governor said his administration had also strengthened the health sector through upgrades of primary healthcare facilities, recruitment of health professionals, improved workers’ welfare and expansion of health insurance and free maternal and child healthcare.
According to him, the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency recorded 394,387 encounter visits and 478,607 services utilised across accredited facilities between 2023 and 2026.
Nwifuru said government had sustained payment of the N95,000 minimum wage, cleared pension and gratuity arrears and continued annual Christmas bonuses for workers.
On industrialisation, he said work had commenced on the new Abakaliki Cement Company to create jobs and strengthen the state’s economy.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency and due process, while thanking residents and stakeholders for their support.
Nwifuru also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his support to the state and congratulated Nigerians and Ebonyi people the Independence and statehood anniversaries.
He promised that his administration would remain committed to building a peaceful, prosperous and united Ebonyi where citizens matter.