ENUGU–The Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Enugu State Chapter, Ernest Ike Ugwu has gifted Mr. Ikenna Collins Ezeagbo, a cash reward of N1.8million.
Ikenna Collins Ezeagbo, from Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area of the state, had rejected Special Assistant (SA) appointment from Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State citing failures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led Government in the state to fulfill its promise to his community, Opi, since 2018.
Ugwu, who handed cheque for N1. 08m to Ezeagbo recently, said, “today at the NAPPS Annual Teachers Conference, I redeemed the promise that I made to Mr. Ezeagbo Collins.
“I had promised to empower him with the sum of one million, eighty thousand naira only (1,080,000), being the cumulation of his supposed salary as S.A to the Enugu State Governor for the remaining six months of this present tenure.
“This is to encourage young people to get involved, stand for the truth, equity, and justice.
“It is time for the youths to lead the way.”
Ugwu, a contender for the Labour Party’s Senatorial Candidacy, Enugu North senatorial district, insisted empowerment should be about the establishment and well being of citizens, and not to put them in slavery.
Reacting, Ikenna Collins Ezeagbo, President General, Opi Youths Movement, said he declined the appointment in protest against denial of infrastructural facilities to his community, especially construction and asphalting of Opi Agu Road, and abandoning his people by the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi all the years.
“Even when our elders, youths and others visited the Governor at Government House to remind him of his promise to the community in 2021, he still did not do anything to date.
“So, I felt like, there is no need to accept any appointment from a government that couldn’t do any single project for my community,” he said.
It was rumoured that the Governor intended to buy him over to support his Enugu North Senatorial ambition ahead of 2023 election.
The Governor, who of recent is said to have been sharing appointive positions to Enugu youths who he believes will help him to actualize his Senate ambition, as he feel threatened by Labour Party popularity in Enugu State.
Ezeagbo’s action of rejecting the appointment was hailed by some people in Enugu State for standing by his people over the neglect of the state government than his personal interest or what he stands to gain from Governor Ugwuanyi led government.
–The Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Enugu State Chapter, Ernest Ike Ugwu has gifted Mr. Ikenna Collins Ezeagbo, a cash reward of N1.8million. 
