By Wilson Ogbonnaya Okereke, Abakaliki
The Advocates for Equity and Good Leadership has sought a partnership with the Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) to promote political education and sensitize residents on power rotation, equity and good leadership in the state.
The National President and Founder of the organisation, Barrister Ununu Sunday Uguru, made the request when members of the group paid a courtesy visit to the EBBC headquarters at Nkaliki, Abakaliki, on Wednesday.
Uguru said the organisation, founded in 2015, was established to educate Ebonyi residents on the importance of equitable power rotation, particularly in the emergence of governors, describing the arrangement as a mechanism for promoting peace, unity and political stability.
He noted that the state had completed its first political rotation, beginning with the eight-year administration of Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu from Ebonyi North, followed by the eight-year tenure of Chief Martin Elechi from Ebonyi Central and that of Engr. David Umahi from Ebonyi South.
According to him, the emergence of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru from Ebonyi North marked the beginning of another political cycle, stressing that the governor should be supported for a second term, in line with what he described as the political arrangement enjoyed by his predecessors.
Ununu, who is also the Principal of Big Bird Chambers, said supporting the principle of political rotation would strengthen peaceful coexistence, equity and unity in the state.
He described the organisation as a registered voluntary body comprising professionals, intellectuals, business leaders and other people of reputable character committed to promoting good leadership, peace, equality, understanding and fairness in the selection of political leaders.
He appealed to the Director-General of EBBC, Chief Tony Nwizi, to approve a dedicated interactive programme, to be known as “Ebonyi Equity and Good Leadership Hour,” to provide a platform for political education, socialisation, orientation and re-orientation.
Ununu said the programme would enable the organisation reach residents across the state through radio and television, adding that the group would continue to promote its message until it reached communities across Ebonyi.
Responding, the EBBC Director-General, Chief Tony Nwizi, commended the organisation for the initiative and said the broadcast media remained an effective means of reaching residents, particularly those in rural communities with limited access to social media.
Nwizi said EBBC had upgraded its operations to provide 24-hour service in its quest to keep members of the public informed.
He disclosed that EBBC 98.5 FM could be accessed globally through mobile phones using the Radio Garden application, while the television station had also expanded its reach.
The Director-General welcomed the proposed programme and assured the organisation that the corporation would consider its request and provide the necessary support.
Nwizi also highlighted some achievements of the Nwifuru administration, including the upgrading of the state's 13 general hospitals, improved welfare packages for medical doctors, provision of utility vehicles, payment of outstanding gratuities to retirees, increased Christmas bonuses for civil servants, provision of buses, recruitment of workers and teachers, as well as scholarship programmes.
He said the administration had also embarked on several infrastructure projects and maintained that the state government had not borrowed funds under the current administration, despite ongoing development projects.
The EBBC boss cited the ongoing Nwezenyi Flyover, the rehabilitation of abandoned projects at Presco Junction Trade Centre and the Ezzamgbo Pipe Production Company as some of the projects he said were contributing to the state's development.
Nwizi further attributed the relative peace in the state to the administration's intervention in some communal crises, saying the government had worked to resolve conflicts in several communities.
He expressed optimism that the proposed partnership would provide another platform for political enlightenment and public engagement in the state.
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