The Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Enugu State, Hon. Barr. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, has received the 2026 Excellence Leadership Award from the Legislative Writers Forum in recognition of his administration’s efforts in infrastructure, grassroots development, humanitarian services and peace advocacy.
The award was presented by a delegation led by Mr. Abraham Ogwaje during a visit to the council secretariat in Ibagwa-Aka on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The award plaque described Ukwueze as the forum’s “best LG Chairman in infrastructural and grassroots development,” citing his leadership qualities, humanitarian interventions and commitment to peace.
Receiving the delegation, Ukwueze expressed gratitude to the forum, describing the recognition as encouragement to sustain his administration’s development agenda across the local government’s 16 electoral wards.
He said his administration had prioritised infrastructure, education, security, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, human-capital development, electricity, water supply, social welfare, market reforms and sports.
Highlighting infrastructure projects, the chairman listed the reconstruction of the local government secretariat, the Ibagwa-Aka–Itchi Junction Roundabout and the construction of the more than three-kilometre Iheaka–Ulunya–Ajuano Road. He also cited the Secretariat Access Road and the grading of more than 250 kilometres of rural roads across communities in the local government.
On education, Ukwueze disclosed that his administration had facilitated free JAMB and WAEC registration for more than 6,000 students, purchased JAMB forms for over 500 applicants, provided scholarships for First Class graduates and facilitated bursary support for 500 students in tertiary institutions.
He added that 250 young people had benefited from fully funded vocational training at Mario Institute, Uhunowerre, while more than 500 others had received soft-skills training through a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
The chairman also announced that the council had facilitated approval for Igbo-Eze South to serve as a National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Skill Acquisition Hub for Enugu North Senatorial Zone.
On security, Ukwueze highlighted the coordinated rescue of Miss Mmesoma from a kidnapping hideout in Anambra State and interventions that facilitated the rescue of other victims, including two Rev. Sisters in Ibagwa-Aka. He said the council had retrained Neighbourhood Watch personnel and procured modern security equipment, including drones, to support surveillance operations.
In the area of social welfare, the chairman said the council had distributed more than 1,000 bags of rice to vulnerable residents across its 16 wards and provided assistance to people facing medical and other humanitarian challenges.
He also reported the restoration of electricity in Alor-Agu and Ovoko-Agu, the reconstruction of the Umulolo-Ovoko borehole with a 20,000-gallon overhead reservoir, and the restoration of the Alor-Agu water borehole.
Ukwueze further highlighted healthcare outreaches, the distribution of medicines to health facilities and sanitation initiatives involving the training of local artisans in SATO pan installation to help reduce open defecation.
On market administration, he said the council had commenced the restructuring of Orie Igbo-Eze Modern Market, with Nkwo Ibagwa and Afor Unadu expected to follow. The reforms include the dissolution of existing unions and revenue agents to address extortion and improve revenue administration. He also disclosed that the council had attracted Alternate Bank to Orie Igbo-Eze to support financial inclusion and commercial activities.
The administration has equally commenced the construction of farm estates at ward level and supported sporting activities, including sponsoring Igbo-Eze South FC in the 2025 JRB Football Tournament.
Ukwueze commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting local government autonomy, noting that financial and administrative independence could enable council chairmen to respond more directly to the needs of their communities.
He also praised Enugu State Governor, His Excellency, Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his emphasis on infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and human-capital development, saying the governor’s approach had encouraged local governments to focus on tangible projects that improve residents’ lives.
Earlier, Ogwaje commended the chairman’s grassroots development efforts and urged him to sustain the momentum by continuing to deliver projects and programmes across Igbo-Eze South.
Ukwueze thanked the delegation for presenting the award personally and reaffirmed his commitment to expanding development initiatives across the local government’s 16 wards to improve the living conditions of residents.
