Archive: May 29, 2023

Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Living For Humanity says Dr. Jude Ukwueze

Before his foray into the murky water of Nigerian politics in 2011, Hon. Ikechukwu Meletus Ezeugwu, Chief Executive Officer( CEO) Mezal Nig Ltd, and Principal Partner, of Mezal Consult Lagos, was an astute businessman and financial expert, who diligently worked his way up, made his mark in Finance business and became a household name in service to humanity, especially in his community and its environs.

It was a result of his exceptional philanthropy and selfless service to humanity that the people of his Constituency, Udenu, of Enugu State beckoned on him to make himself and his wealth of immeasurable experience and goodness available in the political representation of the Constituency at the state Assembly.

In compliance with the plea and request by his people, Ezeugwu joined politics in 2011 and was elected member representing Udenu State Constituency in the Enugu House of Assembly.

Following his outstanding performance, he was reelected in 2015 and was made the Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly. He was also reelected again in 2019 and continued with his position as the Leader of the House.

While in the House, he presented several bills passed into law and worked excellently as the link between the executive and legislature in the state that brought about harmonious and cordial relationships between the two arms of the government in the state.

Ezeugwu served as Chairman of the Southeast Legislative And Governance Reform Committee, (a body that was made up of the Majority Leaders and Clerks of the Houses of Assembly of the Southeast)

The Committee among other things made a landmark

achievement of producing the first-ever uniform House

Standing Order being presently used in the five State

Houses of Assembly of the Southeast.

He is a member, BOT and National Treasurer of the Conference of State Legislators of Nigeria (COSLON) and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation.

Also as a member, Enugu State House Of Assembly and Leader Of the House, he was also Chairman, House Committee on Rules & Business, and member of the following House Standing Committees

▪Finance & Appropriation

▪Public Accounts & Anti-corruption

▪Works & Housing

▪Gender Affairs & Social Development.

▪Commerce & Industry.

Through his foundation, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation, he has given scholarships to 46 intelligent but underprivileged undergraduates across the Southeast region and beyond.

In appreciation and recognition of his numerous achievements and selfless contributions to humanity and society, Ezeugwu has been conferred and decorated with several honors and laurels which include

..Merit Award,by, The Association of Enugu State

Development Unions, Lagos.

Recognition for Efforts in uplifting Medical

Profession, By Association of Resident Doctors,

LUTH.

…A Patriotic Leader Award 2015 by Association of Heads Of Federal Establishments in Enugu State

..Community Service Award 2018 by Rotary Club Of Ekulu,

..Award Of Excellence 2020 by Udenu Undergraduates and Graduates Association

….West African Humanitarian Person Of Year 2021 by African Achievers Awards, UK

…. Iconic Personality Award 2023 by CMO, Blessed Sacrament, Parish, Enugu

…Wintrade Global UK

Pestled Awards 2023

Excellence In Politics by

Africa One, UK

Born some decades ago into the family of Chief Ezeugwu Onah in Igugu, Udunedem, Udenu L.G.A of Enugu state, Ezeugwu attended schools in Nigeria and abroad. The schools include

Harvard University, USA,

Cambridge University, United Kingdom,

Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu,

Delta State University Abraka Delta State,

Institute of Management & Technology (IMT),

Boys Secondary School, Ovoko and

Udunedem Community Primary School, where he obtained certificates in

…Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives:

…Mastery Session In

Advanced Leadership

…Ph.D Finance

…MBF, Banking And Finance

…HND, Accounting

…West Africa School Certificate (WASC)

… First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC)

It is of note that after 12 years of meritorious and life-impacting public service as an outstanding lawmaker, Ezeugwu, bows out in honor and fulfillment, returning to his private business and foundation to continue to touch lives positively and serve humanity, knowing full well that a day like this will come and he cannot be in politics or continue to serve in government at all times to make a mark in the society.

Ezeugwu, who is happily married, is blessed with wonderful children.

Dr. Jude Ukwueze Is the Coordinator of Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation Scholarship Beneficiaries

Outgoing Enugu Assembly leader, Ezeugwu, proposes unicameral NASS

The departing leader of the Enugu state House of Assembly and member representing Udenu state constituency, Dr. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu has proposed a trim down of the National Assembly from a bicameral to a unicameral legislature.

He also suggested Nigeria could go back to a parliamentary system of government, noting that the nation’s economy can no longer carry the huge burden of maintaining a bogus two sets of lawmaking with humongous pay packs associated with them.

Ezeugwu went further to suggest the legislature could be run on a part-time basis, stressing that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RAMFC, should as a matter of urgency trim the remunerations of members of the National assembly which he said is outrageous when compared to what is obtained in other climes.

In a valedictory interview, Ezeugwu said: “The last time I traveled to Denver Colorado in the US, a House of Representatives member invited me for their inauguration. After the whole thing, he came to my hotel and took me out for dinner. Do you know that this man was driving himself, even though the car he came with was the type we give to aides here as a utility vehicle. That’s in America.

“We should try to make the legislative arm of government at the national level less attractive pecuniary wise so that if you don’t have the zeal to serve the people, you won’t aspire to go there. Anybody whose intention is to go and amass wealth will just be discouraged. And this should be handled by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

“The idea that somebody goes there for four years and is given a vehicle and a plot of land; another four years, he’s again given a vehicle and another plot of land and in another four years, he’s again given a vehicle and another plot of land; that continues as long as the person returns to the National Assembly. I mean, it’s unthinkable. We must find a way and structure it that once you go once or twice, certain things would not be provided for you again; so that you take care of certain things by yourself as a ranking member.

“With this kind of arrangement, you will find out that only those who have the interest to serve the people at heart would be interested in going to the National Assembly even for many terms. So, I agree that the remuneration of the National Assembly members is huge, but it’s not that attractive at the state level. But we need to do something, like making it a part-time, and above all the best model as far as I am concerned is that we go back to the parliamentary system.

“Even if we’re not going back to the parliamentary system, do we need the Senate and House of Representatives with this cash crunch? If you ask me, I will say let’s just have a unicameral legislature and the House of Reps which involves more representatives should just be okay for us. There’s no need to duplicate their functions, and that’s what’s happening there. The Committees you have in the Senate and also there in the House of Representatives, and after they will merge their positions by way of c

Think Enugu first, the leader tells LP, PDP lawmakers-elect

Ahead of today’s valedictory session of Enugu House of Assembly, outgoing leader, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, has admonished incoming members to put aside their party differences and work for the overall good of the state.

Ezeugwu, who spoke in Enugu, yesterday, said there was no need for friction between the Labour Party members-elect and their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts.

Speaking from experience, the third-term representative of Udenu state constituency, said the superior number of LP members-elect in the yet-to-be-constituted House could be of advantage to the state.

He said any rancor in the Assembly would adversely affect the growth and development of the state as any executive bill would suffer accordingly.

“I envisage a very robust legislative House, but suffice it to say I also foresee that if not properly managed, it might be very unfriendly, highly unproductive to the people of Enugu State. Given the configuration of 14 members-elect for LP and 10 for PDP members, and given the background of the election and how the members-elect came to be, I can only advise they should understand elections and politics are over and the most important thing now is to work together for the benefit of Enugu people.

“In an atmosphere of quarrels and antagonism, it will be difficult for them to do the needful, to pass relevant bills for the system to move forward. There is no need saying we belong to LP or the PDP. At a certain time, yes, but when it comes to making the system work, they should put the people of the state first. That is the only way to go, because from experience, the moment there is a problem in the House of Assembly, the whole state will be in trouble.

“The moment the executive brings an executive bill that will help move the state forward and people put spanners here and there, it will not even be to the interest of those who elected them, irrespective of the political party they belong to and this should be uppermost in their minds. If they fight themselves, the people who elected them whether in party A or party B will not even be happy with them,” he said.

Ezeugwu further said the Assembly slots should be left for intelligent people who could make valuable contributions during proceedings and not used for political settlements.