By Tony Adibe
The Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has said that he holds journalists in Nigeria, especially the ones covering his Coal City State in high esteem.
Governor Ugwuanyi made the remark on Friday after receiving an award of honour, “Most Peaceful Governor In Nigeria Award” conferred on him by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Enugu State Council as one of the activities to mark their annual Press/Lecture Week.
NewsBits reports that the annual lecture themed, “2023: The New Electoral Act And The Media,” is part of the Correspondents’ contributions to deepen knowledge and understanding of the New Electoral Act.
The Governor, in his character, said he had dedicated the award to God and the good people of Enugu State for their support and unceasing prayers, and thanked the correspondents “for the profound honour.”
He emphasised that he holds the Chapel and its members in high esteem and reckons with the “utility of their services in building an informed society through the collection, preparation and dissemination of news.”
While conveying the warm felicitations and best wishes of the government and the people of the state to the correspondents on their 2022 Press Week, Gov. Ugwuanyi insisted that his government has always enjoyed a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with the Chapel in many ways.
Governor Ugwuanyi said: “I was humbled when you corresponded with me on your decision to confer on me the award of the ‘Most Peaceful Governor in Nigeria’ in recognition of the peace the state has known under our watch.
“From its inception, our administration entrusted Enugu State to the Hands of God and we have continued to see His Hands in all we do. ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you…’ (John 14:27) is a biblical verse that highlights the fact that Peace comes from God. We have only been willing vessels of honour in the Hands of God.
“Today’s award, therefore, is a candid proclamation of the mercy that the Almighty God has shown to our dear state through the special gift of peace, amongst others, under our administration.”
The event, which was chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Prof. Edith N. Nwosu, also saw the conferment of awards on the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji as “Best Speaker, South East”, former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Prof. Peter Nnanna Umeadi as “Pillar of Justice”, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ntachi-Osa Restaurant, Enugu, Mr. Uche Igwe as “Outstanding Young Entrepreneur.”
