Enugu State Government has inaugurated a nine-man state steering taskforce for the utilization of the Federal Government N1 billion Presidential Trust Fund (PTF) for cushioning the effects of COVID-19 infection in the state.
Inaugurating the task force at the Government House, Enugu, the chairman of Enugu State COVID-19 Committee and Deputy Governor, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo,
said that the fund “is to cushion effects of COVID-19 infection”
She noted that the Taskforce has the mandate of ensuring that the fund is well utilised for its purpose.
”It could be recalled that PTF approved the release of N1 billion each to states of the country to support the fight against COVID-19 with laid down procedure on how the fund should be spent.
” The purpose of this fund is to drive the COVID-19 response prioritising, testing in addition to surveillance, prevention and case management activities and others.
” It is clear that this fund is for strengthening and consolidating our overall COVID-19 response capacity.
” Therefore, the fund must be used only for intervention that are in line with the plans we have earlier submitted to the relevant Federal Government Agencies.
The terms of reference for the Taskforce are: “To work with and through the state government agencies and committee to implement the state plans on COVID-19 response.
“Provide monthly update on plans, implementation and fund utilisation, monitor and advise government on the progress of COVID-19 contained in the state.”
Members of the task force include Prof. Edwin Nwobodo (chairman), Mr Christopher Amalu (secretary), Leader, Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr Kechukwu Ezeugwu, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ikechukwu Obi and Dr. Chukwuka Igweagu, among others.
Speaking on behalf of his members, Nwobodo promised that they will deliver on the mandate given them.
” On behalf of my colleagues, we want to pledge our commitment and selflessness in carrying out this assignment.
” We will deliver with valued addition and we want to assure you that with your support, this taskforce will work for our people, for you and repose the confidence vested on us”.
He thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for finding them worthy to serve.
Meanwhile, the state government has expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for honouring eight Enugu State indigenes who were outstanding during their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) years with the prestigious Presidential Awards and for offering them career appointments.
in the Federal Civil Service.
The Deputy Governor, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, gave the commendation on Monday, when she received in audience members of the Association of Enugu State NYSC National Presidential honour Awardees who paid her a courtesy visit in Government House.
She urged the awardees to make very good use of the unique opportunity, especially in the era of widespread unemployment, and under-employment saying, ” Please and please, try to work hard and keep good service records so that you can grow and rise to enviable heights. Be good Enugu State ambassadors”.
The Deputy Governor, who said that the awardees came to present their Honours Awards to Ugwuanyi and the state government, disclosed that “they have collectively resolved to dedicate the awards to the governor’s focused leadership and good governance in the state”.
“The eight young women and men seated here now are drawn from some seven local government areas of Enugu State and were honoured by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, at the nation’s capital city, Abuja on the 25th Day of April, 2019 in recognition of their outstanding performance and sterling qualities as members and participants in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at various periods in the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 service years.
“In reward of their distinguished service to the nation in their various states of posting – Kebbi, Taraba, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Rivers, Benue and Kaduna – our Head Of State awarded each of them a merit certificate and offered his and the nation’s gratitude in sincere appreciation of excellent recorded delivery during the programme”.
Mrs Ezeilo said that Ugwuanyi has reward for excellence, disclosing that, “Less than some months ago, the government gave out cash rewards, laptops, computer sets and even school buses to some of our primary and secondary school pupils that came home with outstanding trophies in national academic and extracurricular competitions. The school bus was given to one of our schools adjudged to be among the best, indeed the fifth best public secondary school in Nigeria. Apart from the bus gift, the principal of the school was promoted to the rank of Principal Special Grade -17”.
Earlier, the Cordinator of the group, Kenneth Ugwu, told the Deputy governor that “The President’s NYSC Honour was conferred to us by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, on the 26th day of April, 2019 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“The award was earned through selfless service to our dear nation through our individual community development service carried out in our host communities during our National Service year.
“These Community Development Service Projects include Construction of classrooms, donation of school chairs, boreholes, building of library, toilets, medical outreach and invention of visually impaired walking guide for blind and elderly persons in our community.
“Your Excellency, Enugu State emerged as one of the highest number of awardees with a total of eight presidential awardees and one Hope Alive beneficiary.
“This goes a long way in proving that indeed Enugu State is in the hands of God as your sons and daughters are true Ambassadors of this great state. We have come to present and dedicate this great award, highest award that a Nigerian youth can ever receive, to you and the entire state and these awards and medals do not just belong to us but belong to the entire state. We will remain good ambassadors of this great state”, Ugwu said.
The awardees appealed to the state government to sponsor them to pursue their post graduate study, saying, ” We will really appeal to the state government to find us worthy to receive academic sponsorship for post graduate study in our choice of foreign institutions.
“Sponsoring us will not only fully encourage us to do more in our state in particular but will also encourage other youths to remain patriotic and portray good and pleasant image wherever they find themselves”, he said.
The awardees are Ugeuanyi Kenneth, Iloka Kingsley, Stephen Aru, Jane Mmadubuike, Ozoagu Chidinma, Chiedozie Emmanuel, Omeh Nnamdi and Arum Daniel.
