This is why Ebonyi state may soon become the greatest state in Nigeria

Standing conspicuously beside Emma Anya’s seat is a banner bearing the photograph of Engineer Dave Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi, a state located deep in the southeastern part of Nigeria and bordering Rivers on one end. Among the cardinal principles below the photograph, two stand out. Umahi wants to make Ebonyi the number one economy in Nigeria. The second is to passionately help widows and the oppressed.


Governor Dave Umahi
“My governor has met all you see on this banner,” Anya said during a casual discussion. Anya is the chief press secretary to Umahi and has a policy of getting things done as quickly as possible. “It is the trademark of this administration. My boss wants anything that would positively affect the people done as fast as possible.”


Beautiful streets of Ebonyi state
It could be true. Abakaliki is filled with people all pursuing their individual businesses with no time to mind others or succumb to provocations. This is why it is very difficult to see public fights or tension. With smiles playing around his face, once of the drivers attached to the governor’s office told us that for the first time, the state is enjoying the presence of government. According to him, every civil servant now has a feeling of being a stakeholder in the project called Ebonyi state. “I have been taking you round the state for some days now; have you seen people fighting? Have you heard people insulting others? You have seen the projects scattered around the state.”


Projects are carried out swiftly in Ebonyi state
From the entrance of the state, a traveler comes in contact with projects, some completed, others ongoing. The state now boasts of some flyovers, one located opposite the international market in the state to assist travellers heading to Cross River state. To ease the challenges that could be faced by motorists in the state now and in the future, another flyover is cited at the Vanco junction. Yet, one is found at the popular Presco area of the state.


All projects are properly inspected to ensure good standards
Professionalism counts. With a professional in government, contractors must think twice before embarking on their tasks. This must be why every project in the state must meet a particular standard. This is why Abakaliki counts among one of the best cities in the southeast with a nightlife that has more than doubled since Umahi emerged.

Dr Ugbala Kenneth Igwe, the governor’s senior special assistant on security, said the state remained peaceful because every youth is positively engaged. “It is almost a crime to be idle here in Ebonyi. People must know what you do. We had pockets of criminalities before Governor Umahi came to power. But this changed with his ascension to office. Governor Umahi believes that with God, anything can be achieved. And this is what he has inculcated in the electorate.

“Apart from believing in God, the governor gives all the support both to security and external departments to make sure that the state is secured since it is a constitutional responsibility. He is a man that believes that when you build roads, put on streetlights and water, such infrastructures should be secured. As you can see, in Ebonyi state, you can stay on the road and enjoy your life without interference."


The state stays peaceful and secure
How are the youths and other able-bodied men engaged to the extent that all they now care for is making money and becoming millionaires? Chief Donatus Odi Njoku, the commissioner for Economic Empowerment and Job Creation, has an answer.

"It is a crime to be idle in Ebonyi state" - Njoku

Hear Njoku: “It is not normal for any healthy person to be idle in this state. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. So, it is prohibited in this state for a person to while away his time doing nothing because manna does not fall from heaven. It is odd when you see graduates waiting for non-existing government jobs that are not even sustainable. Is it not part of ignorance to wait for a job