In Ebonyi State, Excellence Now Has An Address

Each time I pass by the stretch of road along the Abakaliki-Afikpo Expressway where the new estate is rising, I find myself slowing down my gears. Not just because of the construction activity, but because of what it represents. 

There is a quiet sense of reassurance that comes with seeing those 140 duplexes take shape. A reassurance that in Ebonyi State, there is thoughtful intention in governance. That dedication is noticed. That service is valued. 

Conceived at the instance of the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, a leader known for measured judgment and fairness, the estate is designed to honour outstanding Ebonyians in civil service, public service, and other fields of excellence. It is not simply about structures; it is about stories - stories of discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.

One of those stories already stands out. A duplex has been gifted to Blessing Munachi Ejiofor, our basketball champion with D’Tigress, following their African victory in August 3, 2025. In that gesture lies a powerful message: excellence, wherever it is found, deserves recognition.

For years, many have laboured quietly within the system - teachers shaping young minds, administrators holding institutions together, health workers preserving lives, technocrats refining policies. Their names may not trend, but their impact endures. They show up daily, driven not by applause but by responsibility.

This initiative finds clear expression in the philosophy of The People's Charter of Needs, which emphasizes welfare, infrastructure, and human capital development. At its core is a simple conviction: governance must translate into visible improvement in people’s lives.

There is something profoundly human about rewarding service. It lifts morale. It renews ambition. It assures families that their sacrifices are not in vain. It offers not just accommodation, but affirmation.

As the estate advances, it becomes evident that its impact will extend beyond housing. It will encourage productivity, strengthen trust, stimulate local activity, and reshape the housing landscape of Ebonyi State.

But perhaps its greatest contribution is symbolic. It stands as proof that gratitude can be structured, that recognition can be deliberate, and that leadership can connect with people not only through words, but through thoughtful action.

And so, each time I pass by, I do more than observe construction. I witness appreciation taking form. I see the address of excellence in Ebonyi State.

Leo Ekene Oketa,

Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)