The Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, has received the 2026 Excellence Leadership Award from the Legislative Writers Forum. The delegation presented the award during a visit to the council secretariat in Ibagwa-Aka on Wednesday.
The team, led by Mr. Abraham Ogwaje, recognised Ukwueze for his administration’s work in infrastructure and grassroots development. The award also acknowledged his leadership, humanitarian interventions, peace advocacy and rural development efforts.
Legislative Writers Forum Recognises Ukwueze’s Leadership
The award plaque named Ukwueze the forum’s “best LG Chairman in infrastructural and grassroots development.” It cited his leadership qualities, humanitarian gestures and commitment to peace as reasons for the recognition.
Receiving the delegation, Ukwueze thanked the forum for honouring his administration. He said the visit was especially meaningful because the recognition came from outside the local government’s immediate political and administrative structure.
The chairman said his first term had focused on practical development across Igbo-Eze South’s 16 electoral wards. His administration’s priorities include infrastructure, education, security, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment and human-capital development.
Other areas of focus include electricity, water supply, social welfare, market reforms and sports. Ukwueze said his administration would continue working to improve living conditions across the local government.
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Ukwueze Praises Tinubu and Mbah Over Local Development
The council chairman commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting greater autonomy for local governments. He said financial and administrative independence could help elected council officials respond more directly to community needs.
According to Ukwueze, local government autonomy creates an opportunity for chairmen to demonstrate their capacity through projects and programmes. He said council administrations should use that opportunity to address local priorities and deliver measurable results.
Ukwueze also praised Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for setting a development standard for local government chairmen. He highlighted the governor’s emphasis on infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and human-capital development.
The chairman said Mbah’s approach had encouraged councils to move beyond routine administration. He added that local governments should focus on tangible projects that directly improve residents’ lives.
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Council Highlights Road Construction and Infrastructure Projects
Ukwueze listed several infrastructure projects undertaken by his administration. These include the reconstruction of the Igbo-Eze South Local Government Secretariat and the Ibagwa-Aka–Itchi Junction Roundabout.
He also identified the construction of the more than three-kilometre Iheaka–Ulunya–Ajuano Road. The Secretariat Access Road is another project highlighted by the council chairman.
According to Ukwueze, the administration has graded more than 250 kilometres of rural roads across communities in Igbo-Eze South. He said the work forms part of efforts to improve access between rural settlements and other areas.
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Over 6,000 Students Benefit From Education Support
Education remains another major area highlighted by the council chairman. Ukwueze said the administration facilitated free JAMB and WAEC registration for more than 6,000 students.
He added that the council purchased JAMB forms for over 500 applicants. The administration also provided scholarships for First Class graduates and facilitated bursary support for 500 students attending various tertiary institutions.
The chairman said these interventions were designed to support students and reduce some financial barriers to education. He also identified youth training and skills development as important parts of the council’s development agenda.
Council Expands Youth Empowerment Programmes
Ukwueze said the administration enrolled 250 young people in two batches of fully funded vocational training at Mario Institute, Uhunowerre. The programme aims to equip participants with practical skills that could improve their employment opportunities.
He also reported that more than 500 young people had received soft-skills training through a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. In addition, the council facilitated approval for Igbo-Eze South to serve as an NDE Skill Acquisition Hub for Enugu North Senatorial Zone.
The chairman said these programmes support efforts to improve young people’s access to training and livelihood opportunities. He added that vocational and agricultural training would remain part of the administration’s grassroots development priorities.
Ukwueze Lists Security Interventions
The chairman also highlighted security measures undertaken by his administration. He cited the coordinated rescue of Miss Mmesoma from a kidnapping hideout in Anambra State.
He further mentioned interventions that facilitated the rescue of other kidnapping victims, including two Rev. Sisters in Ibagwa-Aka. The council also retrained its Neighbourhood Watch personnel and procured modern security equipment.
According to Ukwueze, the administration acquired drones to support surveillance operations. He said the measures formed part of efforts to strengthen security across communities in the local government.
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Welfare Programmes Target Vulnerable Residents
Ukwueze said the council had distributed more than 1,000 bags of rice to vulnerable residents across its 16 wards. The administration also provided assistance to people facing medical difficulties and other humanitarian challenges.
He said social welfare remained an important part of the council’s responsibilities. The chairman added that the administration would continue supporting residents who needed assistance.
The council also reported progress in electricity and water supply. Ukwueze said electricity had been restored in Alor-Agu and Ovoko-Agu, while plans were underway to extend the intervention to other communities.
The administration also reconstructed the Umulolo-Ovoko borehole. The project includes a 20,000-gallon overhead reservoir, security posts and fencing, while the Alor-Agu water borehole was restored.
Healthcare and Sanitation Projects Continue
In healthcare, Ukwueze said the council had organised medical outreaches and distributed medicines to health facilities. The administration also supervised health workers as part of efforts to support service delivery.
The chairman further said local artisans received training in SATO pan installation. The initiative forms part of efforts to reduce open defecation and improve sanitation across communities.
He said the administration would continue supporting interventions that address basic needs. These include healthcare access, clean water and improved sanitation facilities.
Igbo-Eze South Reforms Market Administration
Ukwueze also highlighted changes to market administration across the local government. He said the council had started restructuring Orie Igbo-Eze Modern Market, with Nkwo Ibagwa and Afor Unadu expected to follow.
As part of the reforms, the administration dissolved existing unions and revenue agents. Ukwueze said the changes were intended to curb extortion and improve revenue administration.
The council also attracted Alternate Bank to Orie Igbo-Eze. According to the chairman, the move is expected to support financial inclusion and commercial activities in the area.
Agriculture and Sports Feature in Council’s Development Plans
The administration has also commenced the construction of farm estates at ward level, according to Ukwueze. The initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen agricultural activities across the local government.
In sports, the council sponsored Igbo-Eze South FC in the 2025 JRB Football Tournament. It also hosted friendly matches involving De Game Changer FC of Anambra State and Rangers FC of Enugu.
Ukwueze said the range of interventions reflected his administration’s focus on development across different sectors. He assured the delegation that the council would continue pursuing projects and programmes that benefit residents.
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Forum Urges Chairman to Sustain Development Efforts
Ogwaje, who led the Legislative Writers Forum delegation, commended Ukwueze for his grassroots development efforts. He urged the chairman to sustain the momentum and continue delivering projects across Igbo-Eze South.
In response, Ukwueze thanked the delegation for travelling to Ibagwa-Aka to present the award personally. He described the recognition as encouragement to continue serving residents and improving their living conditions.
The chairman reaffirmed his commitment to development across the local government’s 16 wards. He said his administration would continue using available opportunities to expand projects and programmes for communities in Igbo-Eze South.
