By Solomon Gwiyi.
"I will never, ever apologize for protecting the safety and security of the American people" - Donald Trump once said
I begin this piece by simply affirming that the past one year has been horrendous for Nigerians across board. Those living in the Northern Parts of the country, especially those in Benue, Nasarawa and Kaduna states, can freely attest to the saying above with practical experiences.
The security of residents and Indigenes of those in the states above had formed national discourse almost on daily basis. At a point, it became crystal clear that a new visita of war had been unleashed on Nigerians, with machineries who are trained to kill, maim and destroy, proudly prowling these areas while destroying and spilling blood.
Precisely, On May 27th, 2025, the Authority Newspapers, had reported that while men slept in Benue State, Over 42 persons were brutally killed, with seven others badly injured, while another two were kidnapped in the attacks on four communities in Gwer-West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
Similarly, on June 24th, 2025, the Punch reported that the rampaging Herdsmen had Killed four farmers, while displacing over 3000 others in a single attack in the southern senatorial district of Nasarawa State, while others battled for survival in undisclosed hospitals in the state.
The above instances represent the picture of what Nigerians went through in the past one year, as killers and demons went on rampage, spilling the blood of Innocent Nigerians whose only crime was living peacefully in their own ancestral lands.
Graciously, the story is unarguably different in Uzo Uwani LGA of Enugu State, under the firm grip and control of Barr. Chijioke Ezugwu, Executive Chairman of our dear local council who among other things, had sometime in April, 2025, vowed to go all the way and lay down his own life than to watch his subjects killed on regular basis by criminal elements.
“I am ready to sacrifice my own life and blood to secure Uzo-Uwani. The safety of our people is not just a responsibility. It is a duty I’ve sworn to uphold, no matter the cost,” he said
This was the council Chairman's response to pockets of killing, engineered by these killers in the early days of his administration. However, from there and then, the Ezugwu-administration read the riot acts for these invaders, and today, just like they say, "the rest" has become "History."
"At the end of the day, the goals are simple: safety and security" - Jodi Rell once said.
Needless to say that under his administration, that the local security operatives had successfully launched rescue operations, embarked on face-to-face-feather-ruffling with the marauding headers, and had likewise, gallantly foiled attempts to kidnap innocent citizens.
The above results became possible following very many security measures, critical thinking, tactical application and courageous implementation of these strategies by the council boss. These techniques which cannot be discussed in this writeup, as security matters remain very sensitive and sacred, are hereby, confined under the pillow where they rightly belong.
However, it is important I state with lucidity that the greatest quest of an Uzo-Uwani man or woman is security of his life and property.
Uzo Uwani LGA does not share the same status with LGAs such as Nsukka, Enugu North, Enugu South or East, who are cosmopolitan, both in nature and reality, with little or no security threats; but rather, with humongous strength economically, following urbanization.
Uzo Uwani is a rural council with unimaginable and uncultivated arable land, porously bordering Kogi and Anambra states from where the suspected herders invade our LGA, kill and disappear into thin air.
This is the task that Barr. Ezugwu was confronted with in the past one year, and he has no doubted done very well in stamping his authority as chief security officer of the LGA. It is therefore, on this stead that I am make bold to say that Ezugwu had in one year, engaged in intense War with the enemies of humanity, and today, the real Gains are peace and security of our people. Meanwhile, there is no gainsaying the fact that this model, conceived and applied by his administration will form a Roadmap for a Bigger, better and greater Uzo Uwani LGA by future governments.
Having said that, it is imperative that we inform this reader that while our dear council boss engaged in a fierce battle with the none-thinking killers who had, even before his emergence, inhabited our forests, he has no doubt, been driving and delivering other vital infrastructure to the people of the rural council.
•Hereunder are proofs and list of Barr. Ezugwu's interventions across the council area.
1- ongoing massive renovation and rehabilitation of the Council secretariat in Umulokpa.
2- Renovation and refurbishing of the Proposed police station at camp Nkpologu with solar powered streetlights measuring 60-70 stands and a pathway construction leading to the six blocks and also the reticulation and upgrading of the water Borehole to a modern facility.
3- Construction of modern water borehole at Amidi-Nkpologu.
4- Construction of modern water borehole at Opanda-Nimbo
5- Building of Adada Secondary school annex, which brings the school closer to the host community.
6- Bridge rehabilitation at Ogurugu Community.
7- An Ultra modern market structure along Nkpologu to boost business activities.
8- The ongoing construction of the *road linking Orie Nkpologu to Amidi, Amabanyi, Umuanogo, Ugbene, Ajima, and Eziani in Nsukka LGA*
9- There is also the massive *clearing of both flanks of the 44-kilometer Obimo-Nkpologu-Ukpabi-Nimbo-Opanda-Adani Road* in order to ensure clearer view and enhance the security of road users along the highway.
10- Ongoing Construction of a Town Hall at Nkpologu, which will serve as a convergence point for the people of the community, during community and other developmental engagements.
11- Ongoing Drilling of 16 Modern Boreholes in the Green Smart Schools in Uzo Uwani LGA, as well as fencing of the same educational project across the rural council.
12- Empowerment / Human Capacity Building of about 500 youths across the Local Council, among others.
These and many more (not mentioned) are what the council chairman is currently delivering across the LGA.
Meanwhile, as the Executive Chairman marks his one year anniversary in office, tomorrow, 30th of September, 2025, let us rally-round his visionary administration to continue to deliver on its divine mandate of making our dear council a better, bigger and beautiful place to live in.
Gwiyi Solomon, Special Adviser to Barr. Chijioke Ezugwu, Executive Chairman of Uzo Uwani LGA on Communication & Strategy wrote from Umulokpa, headquarters of the LGA.
The seasoned writer cum journalist dissected the accomplishments of the Mayor of Uzo-uwani LGA with ease, which highlighted his superb writing skills.More ink in your pen boss
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, the mayor has started excellently via tackling the nauseating problem of insecurity in the council area headlong.The future looks bright with him at the helm of affairs.Therefore, may Uzo-uwani under his watch continue to win.