#DiscoverEnuguGov: Meet Your Leaders
by Stella Inabo
#DiscoverEnuguGov follows Governance and Politics within Enugu state using data sourced from official records and in cases when necessary, anecdotal evidence.
Read our introduction as Discover Enugu presents a guide to the leadership of Enugu State.
Meet Your Leaders covers men and women at the helm of affairs in the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government.
Get to know the policymakers, decision-makers, and lawmakers in the present administration as of October 2019.
THE EXECUTIVE
The Governor
Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi (GburuGburu)
Elected for the second time in 2019, His Excellency was born on 20 March 1964 in Orba Town. With a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he worked as the General Manager of Premier Insurance Brokers Limited and was one time, president of the Rotary Club of Emene.
He served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2003 before running for governor in the 2015 elections and emerging winner.
The Deputy Governor
Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo
A lawyer by profession, Mrs. Cecilla Ezeilo worked at Enugu State Broadcasting Service as a program producer and presenter before actively entering politics in 2011. Elected into Enugu State House of Assembly as the Honorable Member representing Ezeagu Constituency, she also served as the Deputy Chief Whip before she was picked as the running mate by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The Secretary to the State Government
Prof. Simon Ortuanya
Prof. Ortuanya served as the Director-General of South-East Governors’ Forum. A Professor of Law at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), he hails from Igbo-Etiti LGA. He has served as a Commissioner for Education and as the Associate Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria Nsukka. Prof. Ortuanya obtained his Doctorate Degree in Law from Loyola University, Chicago School of Law in America. He is also a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The Chief of Staff
Dr. Festus Uzor
Dr. Uzor worked as a Federal Commissioner in the National Population Commission for 5 years. He is a certified medical doctor and an experienced political strategist who headed the election campaigns of Sullivan Chime and played a key role in the election campaign of Governor Ugwuanyi. Dr. Uzor was also a former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, former Commissioner in several ministries and one time Local Government Chairman of Ezeagu LGA. Having served under Governor Ugwanyi as the Chief of Staff to the Enugu State Government, he was reappointed to the same post in September 2019.
THE LEGISLATURE
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Re-elected for a second term, Hon. Edward Uchenna Ubosi is the Speaker of the Enugu House of Representatives.
He represents Enugu East Constituency.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives
Hon. Mary Onyinye is also serving her second term as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives
The Chief Whip
Hon. Jane Eneh representing Agwu North Constituency assumed the position of the ChiefWhip for the first time
The Deputy Chief Whip
Hon. Ethel Oyibo Ugwuanyi
THE JUDICIARY
Chief Judge
Hon. Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu
President of Customary Courts of Appeal
Hon. Justice George Nnamani
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN ENUGU
There are 17 local government areas in Enugu state which are governed by Local Government Chairmen. The current 17 local government chairmen were elected in 2017. In every single Local Government Area of Enugu state, there is something to discover and explore as Enugu State is filled with numerous tourist attractions, heritage sites, citadels of learning and innovative hubs.
1. Aninri Local Government Area
Headquarters: Ndiagbor
LGA Chairman: Ezekiel Chukwu
While Aninri cannot boast of popular tourist attractions, its rich fertile soil produces important food crops for the state.
2. Agwu Local Government Area
Headquarters: Awgu
LGA Chairman: Stanley Okeke
Agwu is home to a great number of hills. The oldest NYSC camp (Agwu NYSC Orientation camp) in Nigeria can be found on one of these hills. Within the camp premises remain bunkers used by Biafran soldiers that serve as a reminder of the Nigerian Civil war.
3. Enugu East Local Government Area
Headquarters: Nike-Uno
LGA Chairman: Alex Ugwu
The famous Nike lake resort and hotel is located in Enugu East. Boat rides across Nike Lake are a popular tourist attraction in the area.
4. Enugu North Local Government Area
Headquarters: Okpara Avenue
LGA Chairman: Emmanuel Onoh
Enugu north has a plethora of places to visit and explore. There is the Polo Park Mall and Oakland Park. With coal in its belly, the National Museum is also located in this area also. The Nigerian Netflix movie, Lionheart was shot on several locations around this area especially the fitness enthusiasts centre, Okpara Square.
5. Enugu South Local Government Area
Headquarters: Uwani
LGA Chairman: Sunday Ugwu
Within this LGA, hidden within the earth is Coal, Laterite, Silica Sand, and Pyrite. The popular french language school Alliance Francais and the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus are in this area
6. Ezeagu Local Government Area
Headquarters: Aguobuowa
LGA Chairman: Chukwudi Ezinwa
Ezeagu Tourist complex features exotic foliage, a beautiful waterfall called ‘Ogbagada’ which is about 23 meters high, a natural spring and lake and a three-kilometer long cave full of tunnels and chambers.
7. Igbo Etiti Local Government Area
Headquarters: Ogbede
Chairman: Malachy Agbo
The soil of Igbo Etiti is fertile and produces crops like Yam, Cassava, Maize, Potato, Pigeon Pea, Melon, Kolanut, Castor Oil Seed, Orange and mineral resources such as Iron Ore and Laterite.
8. Igbo Eze North Local Government Area
Headquarters: Enugu-Ezike
LGA Chairman: Ezeja Uwakwe
This local government area is a source for Silica Sand, Laterite and Iron–Ore.
9. Igbo Eze South Local Government Area
Headquarters: Ibagwa-Aka
LGA Chairman: Fidelis Odo
This Local Government area has deposits of Iron Ore, Laterite and Silica Sand.
10. Isi Uzo Local Government Area
Headquarters: Ikem
LGA Chairman: Benjamin Edeoga
Federal College of Education is located at Isi-Uzo. Silica sand is a natural resource in this area.
11. Nkanu East Local Government Area
Headquarters: Amagunze
LGA Chairman: Godwin Ubagu
Copper can be found in Nkanu East.
12. Nkanu West Local Government Area
Headquarters: Agbani
LGA Chairman: Henry Okenwa
Nkanu West is home to the Ani Ozalla Lake and Shrine, a natural lake with crocodiles. The crocodiles are deified and worshipped by the locals.
13. Nsukka Local Government Area
Headquarters: Nsukka
LGA Chairman: Patrick Omeje
Nsukka is famous for the great citadel of learning and the first indigenous university in Nigeria, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The university zoo is dedicated to the preservation of endangered species. This LGA is also where Opi Lake is located. A combination of seven lakes form the Opi Lake to give a breathtaking view.
14. Oji River Local Government Area
Headquarters: Oji
LGA Chairman: Harrison Okeke
Oji River town has one of the largest and oldest running leprosy rehabilitation settlements in the south-east, bordering Anambra state.
15. Udenu Local Government Area
Headquarters: Obollo-Afor
LGA Chairman: Francis Ugwu
During the Onwa Asaa festival, the Akatakpa masquerades terrorized people with long whips in the evening in Ogbodu-Aba but the Akatakpa masquerades were banned in June 2019.
16. Udi Local Government Area
Headquarters: Udi
LGA Chairman: Nestor Ochin
Udi is home to the famous Nsude Pyramids. The pyramids are long gone but Udi still hides many other fascinating places to discover.
Within Udi lies Ngwo Pine forest and Ngwo Waterfall, which are popular tourist destinations. Awhum waterfalls and Awhum monastery are also in this unique location.
17. Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area
Headquarters: Umulokpa
LGA Chairman: Ani Fidelis
Silicon Valley is located near the Enugu State University of Technology, Nkpologu campus. The mineral-rich hill is 3oo feet above sea level, making it one of the highest elevations in Enugu state.
Now you know the leaders of this beautiful region where all are welcomed.
Happy exploring.
