AS GOV. UGWUANYI BAGS LEADERSHIP SCORECARD’S “BEST GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR AWARD”- By Christopher Ogugua

History was made on the 7^th of February, 2019 at the Best Western Hotel Enugu when the prestigious media company, Leadership Scorecard crowned His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, as the “Best Governor of the Year 2018”. The arrival of His Excellency at the hotel premises was greeted with pumps and pageantry by his endless stream of supporters and well-wishers. Presenting the award to the governor, the publisher and CEO of Leadership SCORECARD, Mr. Humphrey Onyima said that the governor was chosen for the award after a protracted and thorough evaluation of the performances of all the governors in Nigeria. Describing the governor as the most friendly and ‘over-performing’ man of 2018, the chief scribe noted that his team is offering the award to the governor as a way of encouraging him to do more since as the saying goes, the reward of good work is more work. Responding to the award, the obviously elated governor thanked the Scorecard crew for the good job they are doing. He says he has taken up the challenge from Scorecard and would ensure as he is already doing that no one living in the state in his administration is denied the dividends of democracy. In the end, the governor promised to support the publisher and his team in their effort to ensure that there is accountable leadership in Nigeria and beyond. Other dignitaries who alongside the governor bagged various awards from Scorecard in the occasion include: Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu, Member representing Awgu, Ani Nri and Orji River Federal Constituency was awarded the “Grassroots Developer of the Year, 2018”; Hon. Patrick Asadu, Member representing Nsukka/ Igboeze South Federal Constituency received “Grassroots Man of Year 2018”; Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central was honored as “Scorecard Senator of Year 2018”; Chris Onyekachi Simon, the CEO Softran System Enterprise Nigeria Limited was crowned “Scorecard Humanitarian Icon of  Year 2018; Chief Akachukwu S. Akachuwu (Kpakpando 1 of Ekpulambo, Mbgowo) was given Scorecard “Private Sector Personality of Year, 2018”; Hon. Jane Eneh, the PDP 2019 flag bearer, Enugu State House of Assembly Awgu North constituency received Leadership Scorecard “Woman of the Year, 2018; His Excellency, former governor of Old Anambra State, Sen. Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwaobodo was honoured as Scorecard “Elder Statesman of the Year, 2018; Hon. Chima Obieze, member representing Ezeagu Constituency, Enugu State House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Works and Housing was presented with “State Parliamentarian of the Year 2018; the General Manager of Solid 100.9Fm, Mrs Ezeh on behalf of her radio station received  Scorecard “Grassroots Radio Station of the Year 2018”. In his opening address to the awardees, their supporters and other invited guests, the seasoned scribe and CEO of Leadership Scorecard, Mr. Humphery Onyima pointed out that the 2019 Annual Lecture/Award Night was the second edition the magazine was organizing. He underscored that the theme of the 2nd edition:  PEACE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, THE ROLE OF CITIZENS, was geared towards mobilizing citizens for peaceful, 2019 general elections. According to him, since peace is a ‘sine qua non’ for a successful election, the annual lecture/award night is Scorecard’s own call for violence free 2019 general elections in Nigeria. Speaking further, the young scribe, enjoined the citizens of Enugu in particular and Nigeria at large to embrace peace and desist from any form of violence in the upcoming elections for a sustainable growth and development in the country.