THE MAN ERNEST EZEAJUGHI AND MORE

By Ejike Abana

Opportunities they say, comes for prepared people. Most times, it takes consencious practical step by step efforts to remain afloat.

The name Ernest Ezeajughi certainly rings a bell in the political terrain as a celebral and accomplished personality.

Little wonder why when the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, went ashopping, he chose Mr. Ezeajughi as his Chief Of Staff.

Mr. Ezeajughi was elected Mayor by the College of Councillors of Brent, London, on April 16, 2019 and was sworn into office on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. The Mayor is the first citizen of the Royal Borough who acts as an ambassador at public affairs and at civic and ceremonial events.

Ezeajughi who hails from Awgbụ, Orumba North Council Area of Anambra State in Southeastern Nigeria, had his primary and secondary and tertiary education in Anambra- Aguata High School, Aguata and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik), Awka (Microbiology) are his Alma mater.

It is fondly proverbed in Igbo language that “Okụkọ ga-abụ oke na ebido n’eju" (greatness starts from birth). In the world of politics, Mr. Ezeajughi started early, having been actively involved in student union politics during his University days. On completion of his mandatory one year NYSC program, he had a brief stint in the family business before proceeding to England. He holds a Masters degree from the prestigious Kings College, London; a scientist by profession, having worked with the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Mr. Ezeajughi's foray into politics blossomed once again just as he got involved in UK politics and soon became an active member of the Labour Party. He was soon elected in 2014 as Councillor representing Stonebridge Ward at Brent Council.

He is one of the founding fathers of the UK Chapter of the Nigerian political party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), where he served as Chairman of the UK chapter of APGA from 2010 to 2012.

As Chief of Staff to the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Soludo- a position currently occupied by Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, he is importing his vast experience to the state, doing things differently in line with Governor Soludo's disruptive approach to the governance of the state.

Denise Morrison quipped; “The single most important ingredient in the recipe for success is transparency because transparency builds trust.”

The presence of Mr. Ezeajughi in Governor Soludo's cabinet has helped to ensure that decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows law and order. Information is freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement.

This particular trait is important because being transperent is strength and not weakness. Sharing ideas and information allow concerned individuals and groups get a new perspective, new opinions and better insight to the discourse. This way, problems are solved faster and more efficiently if one learn to be open and honest.

A close association to Mr. Ezeajughi portrays him as a transperent leader who set performance expectations for everyone, including himself. As a result, this gives everyone a clear sense of direction that enhances performance and engagement. It  appears as if the Chief of Staff works with the 'SMART goals formular'- (Specific, Measurable, Achieveble, Relevant and Time-bound). This is a great work orientation that is worth commending and emulating.

Coupled with the above, Mr. Ezeajughi is accessible and have a listening ear to everyone. He dignifies and respects people, irrespective of age or social stratification.

One vital point that is worth making is that Anambra is increasingly becoming a construction site, following Governor Soludo's promise on assumption of office. Position this side by side a similar situation when Mr. Ezeajughi was in office where regeneration of Wembly-Brent was undergoing reforms and building a new city with about thirty-one (31) cranes; working day and night. Perhaps his cap as the Secretary of Anambra Urban Regeneration Council- recently set up by Governor Soludo, will come in quite handy. There are many more to say.

Suffice it to say that there seems to be more in the offing for Ndị Anambra, with Mr. Ezeajughi saddled with his current responsibility. We should all expect more.

As he commemorates the day of his birth, it's our desire that he continues to attain lofty heights in his chosen endeavours; especially in the service of government and good people of Anambra State.

Happy Birthday Mr. Chief of Staff!

ANAMBRA STATE PHYSICAL PLANNING BOARD READS RIOT ACT TO IMPERSONATORS

By Ejike Abana

Anambra State Government has warned individuals and groups impersonating the state building regulatory body, the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, to desist forthwith or face the wrathful hands of the law.

The Chairman of the Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe handed down the warning in an interview with journalists at the Board's Corporate Headquarters in Amawbia.

According to Barrister Maduekwe, he has been inaundated by a barrage of queries by government and private individuals that some people now move round the state, pasting demand notices and soliciting for money, thereby usurping the legal duty of the board.

Barrister Maduekwe alleged that the group even go as far as demanding money from people who have been given approvals with houses built, erroneously telling the public that they are now in charge of physical planning, building control and regulation.

Barrister Maduekwe warned that the State Governor, the police and the State House of Assembly will be alerted, to ensure enforcement of the law against those not working in the interest and development of the state.

Barrister Maduekwe, however, acknowledged that because of the challenges being experienced in the Board, they recently reached an understanding with relevant professional bodies including the Council For the Regulatory of Engineering In Nigeria, COREN for some kind of collaboration as a result of the activities of quacks, to ensure that the process of building control is sanitized.

He added that professional bodies are expected to work in tandem with the physical planning authority to get the building code, pointing out that going forward, such individuals will be sued for impersonation and aberation.

"We met with members of COREN, asking for some kind of understanding with them, to ensure that the engineers who come for permit applications, are engineers in practice that they know. And we felt it was okay.

"And for that they were to give their forms with ten thousand naira (N10,000) fixed price, which those Engineers must fill and we send it back to them, afterwhich they give endorsement that they know them. 

"Suddenly, what we now see is that some people now go around to perhaps impersonate COREN.

"They now interfere with our working, demanding huge sums of money from unsuspecting members of public", Barrister Maduekwe stated.

"For the upteenth time, this is a warning to them; that the state cannot tolerate such short-changing.

"We have government regulated fees. They are cheating government. If they don't desist, we will bring them under the full embrace of the law.

"I heard that they have distributed over five hundred (500) forms in different buildings, including buildings that had got approvals in the past.

"I've reported the matter to COREN in the state. I'll take it up to federal level. They cannot take over the duties of a government regulatory body set up by law", he noted.

"I've spoken with the Chairman of the technical committee in Anambra who said he is not aware.

"You must work in tandem with the physical planning authority, to get the building code; even if you are going for inspections. You can't operate outside the law of the state. They will be sued for impersonation and running a criminal enterprise.

"Every professional body is set up by law and you must obey the law. What those people are doing is an aberation.

"I'll report to the Governor and House of Assembly. We will even report the matter to the police.

To the public, "anybody that pastes anything on your property, demanding money, report them to us and the police. They don't represent the government of Anambra State", concluded the Physical Planing Board boss.