The Executive Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Euphemia Nneka Nwali, has urged the incoming administration in the council to consolidate on the achievements recorded under her leadership and take the area to greater heights.

Nwali made the call on Monday during a Valedictory Session held in Ezza South to reflect on the achievements, challenges and experiences of her administration as she prepares to hand over to the next democratically elected chairman, Barrister Chinedu Mkpuma.

The outgoing chairman, who is completing her second tenure, described leadership as a relay race, saying every administration must make its contribution to the development of society before handing over to its successor.

“As I prepare to hand over the mantle of leadership of Ezza South Local Government Area to the next democratically elected Executive Chairman, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and peace.

“Leadership is a relay race. One person takes the baton, runs his or her portion of the race and eventually hands it over to another. I am therefore not leaving office with the mindset that the journey ends with me. Rather, I see this transition as another opportunity for Ezza South to move forward,” she said.

Nwali appealed to the people of the council area to support the incoming administration, irrespective of political differences, stressing that the collective interest of Ezza South must supersede individual considerations.

“I encourage all our people to give the incoming administration the necessary support, cooperation and constructive advice required for good governance. The progress of Ezza South must always be greater than our individual interests,” she said.

She urged her successor to build on the foundations laid by her administration, introduce new ideas and strengthen existing programmes to accelerate development across the council area.

“My sincere prayer is that the incoming administration will build upon the foundations already laid, introduce new ideas, improve upon existing achievements and take Ezza South to even greater heights,” she said.

Reviewing her stewardship, Nwali said her administration had executed interventions in infrastructure, road construction and rehabilitation, water supply, electricity, security, market development, empowerment and human capital development.

She, however, attributed the accomplishments to collective efforts, rather than personal achievement.
“These achievements are not mine alone. They are the collective achievements of a team and indeed of the entire people of Ezza South,” she said.

Nwali commended her vice chairman, councillors, supervisory councillors, political appointees and career staff for their contributions to the administration, while also acknowledging traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, women, youths, security agencies and other stakeholders.

She expressed appreciation to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for providing the political platform through which her administration served the people.

“I remain grateful to the leadership and members of our party for their support, cooperation, confidence and encouragement throughout my tenure,” she said.

The chairman also expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for his support, guidance and commitment to the development of the state.

According to her, the governor’s leadership and support enabled the local government administration to complement the programmes and policies of the state government and deliver dividends of democracy to residents.