The Ebonyi South Youths Assembly has defended the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru, urging critics to assess the government’s performance based on verifiable facts rather than what it described as misleading narratives.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abakaliki on Thursday, the National President of the Assembly, Comrade Odii Njoku, accused some political critics of spreading misinformation despite what he said were visible achievements recorded by the Nwifuru administration across key sectors of the state.
The group was reacting to a social media post by Chika Nwoba, which alleged that the Ebonyi State government had failed in areas including education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic development and governance.
Njoku maintained that while constructive criticism is a vital part of democracy, it should be based on facts and objective analysis rather than selective claims.
According to him, the Nwifuru-led administration has implemented several initiatives since assuming office, particularly in education. He stated that over 1,000 students have benefited from the state’s scholarship programme, with about 300 studying abroad and more than 700 pursuing postgraduate degrees in Nigerian universities.
He also highlighted the establishment of the ICT University at Oferekpe Agbaja, plans to establish a University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering in Ezza, renovation and construction of classrooms, and improvements in teachers’ welfare as major achievements in the education sector.
On healthcare, the youth group said the government has upgraded public hospitals with modern medical equipment, strengthened primary healthcare services, facilitated a Regional Blood Bank project, and restored potable water supply to several parts of Abakaliki through the rehabilitation of major water schemes.
The Assembly further listed several ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Ebonyi International Trade Centre, the Onuenyim Bridge linking Ebonyi and Benue states, road construction projects across the state’s 13 local government areas, housing developments, community bridges and the construction of buildings for traditional rulers.
In the area of industrial development, Njoku cited the revival of the state-owned pipe production factory, the Ebonyi Industrial Cluster project and plans for a new cement manufacturing plant, saying the projects are expected to boost industrialisation, create employment opportunities and increase the state’s internally generated revenue.
The group also commended the government for civil service reforms, noting improvements in workers’ welfare, promotions, recruitment of over 1,000 personnel, and the payment of pensions and gratuities owed to retirees dating back to 1996.
It added that the administration has continued to implement empowerment programmes targeting youths, women and farmers, while extending statutory benefits to host communities in mineral-producing areas.
On security, the Assembly said the relative peace across Ebonyi has improved the state’s investment climate and encouraged economic activities.
Responding to claims regarding Ebonyi’s non-participation in a World Bank programme, the group argued that the state has instead secured several development interventions, including the Productive Use of Energy Agro-processing Equipment Grant, DARES, Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN), African Development Bank Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project, L-PRES, e-HEART, HOPE, IMPACT, and the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up.
The Assembly urged residents to verify information before accepting claims circulated on social media and encouraged critics to provide constructive recommendations that would support development rather than discourage investment and erode public confidence.
It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies that promote peace, accountability, unity and sustainable development across Ebonyi State.
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