Monica Ugwuanyi’s Touch of Life

Chibuzo Uche Anichukwu

The saying that behind every successful man is a woman is one that those who have closely followed the government with a human face being run by the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, would readily agree to given the humanitarian works of his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Monica Ugochi Ugwuanyi.

Coming to power with a promise to provide godly and humane leadership to the good people of Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had gone further to dedicate the State to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and indeed the awesome God of David.

Building on this foundation, Her Excellency, Mrs. Monica Ugochi Ugwuanyi took it upon herself to run with the task of recommitting Enugu into God’s hands on the 9th day of every month on the platform of the Enugu State Women Prayer Network.

The result is that Enugu has been variously rated as one of the most peaceful and secured states in Nigeria. The prayers also give flesh to the Governor’s deep belief in the miracle of five loaves and two fish. Whereas richer States lament of a casting down, unable to pay salaries, Enugu State has continued to witness a lifting up. Enugu is not only among the few states that pay workers regularly, equitable development projects are going on in every part of the State.

A woman deep in God’s word and overflowing with milk of human kindness, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi understands that faith and good work are mutually reinforcing. Therefore, she has not only been mobilizing Enugu women to pray, she also put structures in place to minister to the educational, health, and economic needs of the less privileged in the State.

Through the Ugo’s Touch of Life Foundation (U-TOLF), which she founded, Mrs. Ugwuanyi has taken it upon herself to close the palpable gap in healthcare between the rich and the poor. The U-TOLF’s healthcare programmes has provided free cervical and breast cancer screening, enlightenment, and treatment to thousands of women, while men are provided with free prostate cancer sreening and care. U-TOLF has provided free eye screening and treatment as well as free deworming of thousands of school children in rural areas. The Foundation also builds sickbay and carry out other health campaigns, such as hygiene to promote health in rural schools.

Education, according to the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandella of blessed memory, is the great engine of personal development through which the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, son of a mineworker become the head of the mine, and a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation.

Therefore, Mrs. Ugwuanyi, has through the U-TOLF’s scholarship scheme popularly known as Project 102, ensured that orphans and children of the poor do not miss out on primary and secondary education. Those covered by this scholarship scheme are cared for down to their uniforms, sandals, books and writing materials throughout their junior and senior secondary education.

To empower women economically, Mrs. Ugwuanyi not provides free vocational training for women, with priority given to the widows, she also personally hands them the requisite facilities to start up their own businesses. Farm inputs, such as fertiliser, are also distributed to woman in rural areas every farming season.

The amiable wife of the Governor also understands the vital role of women in housekeeping. Therefore, she personally takes it upon herself to enlighten women on home management, household hygiene, clean cook, and among others.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi’s life-touching efforts also extend to the routine visits to orphanages and old people’s home, prophetic donations, leadership training, and Children’s Vacation Camp. It is well known to the people of the State that Governor Ugwuanyi and his wife do not hold elaborate events to mark their birthdays. They celebrate with orphanages.

This charitable woman, who has demonstrated that out of the abundance of the heart, the hand gives, continued her statewide annual women empowerment outreach with a visit to Amangunze, headquarters of Nkanu East Local Government headquarters to kick-start the August outreach in Enugu East Senatorial District last Wednesday. Just like other times, the women of Nkanu East felt the warmth of her heart and the magnanimity of her presence. For indtance, she doled out empowerment facilities to hundreds of women already trained in various vocational skills to start-off their own businesses.

It is, therefore, with a basketful of gratitude that the women of Nomeh Unataeze join the wife of the Chairman, Nkanu East Local Government, Mrs. Precious Ubagu, and the good people of East Senatorial District in commending her exemplary works of charity and not only teaching our women how to fish, but also equipping them to do so for the benefit of their families and society.

Good wife of the good man, O muo olezuta anya, Oso di eme ogo, tall tree that shelters the poor, may your light continue to shine brighter and touch lives everywhere.

–Mrs. Chibuzo Uche Anichukwu writes from Nomeh, Enugu State