- Geert Wilders.
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others". - Nelson Maoremember and honour the sacrifices of our brave souls and committed patriots who dreamed of a free Nigeria. They gave their all to make it a reality. Freedom lies in being bold, strong and courageous.
Today marks 65 years of Nigeria sovereignty. 65 years of freedom.65 years of unity and progress. 65 years of bonded brotherhood and unity in diversity. 65 years of patriotism and national consciousness.
On this day, we honour the sacrifices, commitments and sincere determination of our nationalists and freedom fighters who fought for the nation's sovereignty and freedom from British rule.
The celebration includes flag hoisting, cultural programmes, parade and patriotic speeches across the country. We need patriotic parables, riddles, tales and wishes to celebrate this day with our loved ones and remember the sacrifices of our people.
The parable and goodwill messages that express love and pride for the nation, uniting people under a shared sense of identity and belonging.
Independence Anniversary is a moment to reflect on the unity and courage that define our nation and to feel the pride in being part of such a legacy. It is a significant occasion for everyone and deserves to be celebrated with heartfelt emotions.
On this Independence day, we share words that resonate with the spirit of patriotism. Ebonyi people and indeed all patriotic Nigerians merry and celebrate their heroes.
For Ebonyi State, it is a tripartite celebration. With heart full of joy and thanksgiving, we celebrate Nigeria at 65, Ebonyi at 29 and the landmark and laudable achievements of our hard-working, pragmatic and caring Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
It is a moment to celebrate unity, peace, security and stability of our dear state. A moment to celebrate the working synergy between all arms and tiers of government, highlighting the spirit of unity and peaceful co-existence among our leaders.
As we gladly celebrate our Independence Anniversary, collective identity and collective heritage, appreciating the progress recorded so far as a state, there are numerous challenges confronting our dear state, as we make effort to create a robust future for the state and all its citizens.
Harnessing the talents and great potentials of the state calls for patriotic governance. Building a nation requires team spirit and team work.
To actualize the policies and programmes of the People's Charter of Needs Mantra, His Excellency, the Governor has embarked on many developmental projects and social capital investments geared towards enhancing the Human Development Index (HDI) of the state.
EDUCATION: Foreign and Local Postgraduate Scholarship Programmes (beneficiaries - Foreign 204 persons while local 541 persons), Award of Scholarships to 140 indigenous students seeking admission into ICT University, Oferekpe Agbaja for the 2025/2026 Academic Session, Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Ebonyi State College of Education Ikwo to a Degree Awarding Institution with state of the art facilities, Increase in the monthly Subvention of Ebonyi State University from N150million to N300million and released the sum of N300million earlier pledged by the immediate past administration, Establishment of the University of Aeronautic Engineering, Onueke, Building of ICT(Information and Communication Technology) University, Oferekpe Agbaja, Downward Review of School Fees of Ebonyi State University Students by 10%, Free and Compulsory Basic Education in the state, Building of Ultra Modern Classroom/Admin Blocks in all the 39 Pilot Schools in the state, Establishment of State Education Trust Fund, to mention but a few.
EMPOWERMENT: Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru Empowerment Programme (FONEP) Where 95 Beneficiaries were empowered with the sum of N3million each, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Support Funds (SMEs) funded with the sum of N50milion shared to 1000 beneficiaries at N50,000 each, BERWO Foundation, Office of the First Lady in collaboration with Renewed Hope Initiative Empowered 26 market women with the sum of N1milion each, Building and Commissioning of 26 - 3 Bedroom Bungalows for 26 indigent widows across the 13 LGAs of the state, One Million Naira Grant to 171 Students from the 171 Electoral Wards in the State, One Million Naira Grant to 39 Disabled People from the 13 LGAs of the State, etc.
AGRICULTURE: Training of many youths in Agro processing techniques to enhance farming, Procurement and distribution of fertilizer to farmers as follows: 2023 - 13,000 bags, 2024 - 15,000 bags, 2025 - 15,000 bags which were distributed during the years' planting seasons, Farm inputs were equally distributed to farmers together with fertilizers, Under the Women Agricultural Support Program, 52 women received the sum of N200,000 each, Youth in Agric/Youth Cooperative Societies from the 3 senatorial zones of the state were empowered with N6million each, Rehabilitation and Reactivation of Ebonyi State Poultry Farm, and so forth.
CIVIL SERVICE: Upward Review of Salaries of Ebonyi State University Lecturers by 20%, while that of Non-Academic Staff was increased by 10%, Payment of Backlog of Gratuities and Pensions to State Retirees from 2015 to date, Payment of Gratuities to Retired Staff of Local Government System from 1996 to date, Recruitment of 2000 Teachers to the State Secondary Education Board, and 2000 Teachers for the State UBEB, Recruitment of 100 Judicial Staff for the Courts in the state, to mention but a few.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT: Construction of 140 3-bedroom bungalow for each of the displaced people of Izzo/Amaze autonomous communities of Ishielu Local Government Area who lost their houses due to communal crisis and also for communities in Izzi and Abakaliki Local Government Areas who lost their lands to the government acquisition without compensation. He is also constructing 140 Housing Units for the State's Public and Civil Servants at Ochoudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, Construction and Furnishing of Duplexes for all the Traditional Rulers in the State etc.
WORKS/INFRASTRUCTURE: Construction of 3 - Span Ekka/Inyere Akadoro Unity Bridge, 3 - Span Alubueleke Akadoro bridge, Odomoke Unity Bridge, Twin Flyover Bridge with Underground Tunnel at Vanco junction, Abakaliki, Construction of 5 - Span Interstate Enyim Bridge Linking Ebonyi and Benue states, Construction of overhead bridge with underground tunnel at Iziogo in Izzi local government area, Construction of 2 Kilometer Roads to Palaces of all Traditional Rulers in the state, Asphalting of Abakaliki Urban Roads, Construction of many rural access roads aimed to ease movement of goods and farm produce within the rural communities, and many others.
TRANSPORTATION: Rehabilitation and Procurement of Brand New Buses for EBOTRANS, Establishment of EBOCAB for convenient transportation within and outside the state, Procurement of IVM CNG Buses to ease movement of civil servants in the state to their places of work, etc.
AVIATION: Construction of International Standard Runway, Rehabilitation and Equipping of Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke etc.
INFORMATION: Rehabilitation and Equipping of EBBC/ Salt tv.
HEALTH: Recruitment of Medical Personnel for the 13 General Hospitals in the state, Procurement and Distribution of 13 Special Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and 13 Ambulances for the 13 General Hospitals in the state, Procurement and Distribution of Hospital Equipment and Drugs for the 13 General Hospitals in the state, Increment of Salaries of all Medical Personnel working in all the General Hospitals, Procurement of Brand New Ambulances for 24/7 Emergency Services in the state, to mention but a few.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT: Under the First Phase of RAAMP Project, there is ongoing construction of 60km roads across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state, Under the Second Phase of the RAAMP Project, there is Ongoing Construction of 76.81km of road across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state, There is also the Constitution and Inauguration of Rural Access Road Authority (RARA), and Ebonyi State Road Trust Fund Board and Administration, Needs Assessment Tour of the 171 Wards in the state to ascertain the needs of Ebonyi people in order of their priorities and as well sensitize Ebonyi rural populace on the People's Charter of Needs Mantra of the present administration, and many more.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: Revival of Ebonyi State Pipe Production Plant, Ezzamgbo, Revival of Ebonyi State Building Materials, Ezzamgbo, Construction of Ebonyi State Industrial City, Ezzamgbo, NigerCem Nkalagu, Constitution of a- 15 Member State Economic Committee to fashion out modalities to reactivate the cement factory and establish another cement factory in the state.
SECURITY: Procured and distributed Brand New Hilux Vans to all the Security Outfits, including Operation IJEOMA in the state. There is no doubt that Ebonyi State is the most peaceful and safest state in Southeast Nigeria, Courtesy of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru's proactive and responsive governance in the state.
PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION: Settlement of communal crisis which lingered between Ishinkwo and Abaomege in Onicha Local Government Area, Ezza Effium and Effium communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area and Amanna in Ikwo and Ezza South Local Government Areas, Akaeze and Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area, and Ekoli Autonomous Community in Edda Local Government Area. Peace is a panacea to developments in any society. His Excellency, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has been able to attain the level of development in the state within two years in office because he was able to resolve the communal crisis and achieve lasting peace in the warring communities in the state.
Thanks for your continued support, encouragement and prayers.
Think EBONYI!
Think HOME!
Think YOURSELF!
Ebonyi people are UNIQUE.
We are The Salt of the Nation.
Let's uphold our positive virtues.
FON is moving Ebonyi to Greatness.
Long live Governor FON!
Long live Ebonyi State - The Salt of the Nation.
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!
God bless you all!
Barr. Chief Ikeuwa Omebeh
Honourable Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ebonyi State.
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