Dr. Boniface Nwankwo

04/07/2026

UPDATE:

The Ebonyi State University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering, Ezza, has secured approval for admission of prospective students in the ongoing 2026/2027 academic year.

All necessary documentation from JAMB has also been secured, and candidates wishing to change to the university are advised to do so from any cybercafe worldwide.

Already, about 11 students intending to study Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering have changed to the university.

For more information, visit the university's website at http://UAAE.edu.ng.

Source: Professor Patrick Nwofe, Vice-Chancellor.

Dr. Boniface Nwankwo
Special Assistant to the Governor on Documentation
July 4, 2026

Changing Lives Through Research and Innovation

04/07/2026

FROM THE RECORDS

RE: ALLEGATION THAT EBONYI STATE MISSED A $27 MILLION WORLD BANK GRANT

The social media space has recently been awash with commentaries by some individuals, many of whom are perceived political opponents, alleging that Ebonyi State lost a $27 million World Bank grant recently due to what they described as poor governance under Governor Francis Nwifuru.

Ordinarily, such allegations could have been dismissed as another episode of politically motivated misinformation. However, in the interest of setting the records straight and providing the public with accurate information, this clarification has become expedient.

First, Governor Francis Nwifuru’s style of governance cannot, by any objective standard, be described as poor. His administration has remained firmly committed to the People’s Charter of Needs, a governance philosophy anchored on public welfare, inclusive development, and responsive leadership. Across critical sectors, the administration has consistently demonstrated its resolve to meet the genuine needs and aspirations of the people of Ebonyi State.

It is, however, surprising that those promoting this narrative have deliberately ignored the numerous grants, interventions, and strategic investments attracted to Ebonyi State under Governor Nwifuru’s leadership many of which exceed the alleged $27 million grant in both value and developmental impact.

For the record, within just three years, the Nwifuru administration has successfully attracted several landmark federal projects and international interventions, including:

* The Nigerian Army Training Depot for the South-East, located at Amasiri, Edda.
* The Nigerian Navy Secondary School at Amechara, Izzi Local Government Area.
* The proposed University of Aeronautics, which will be the first of its kind in the South-East geopolitical zone.

In addition, the administration secured the Productive Use of Energy (Agro-Processing Equipment) Grant valued at approximately ₦12 billion for the installation of solar-powered agro-processing facilities for rice, cassava (garri), millet, palm oil, and other agricultural products. Twelve processing stations have already been completed and are ready for commissioning, while work is ongoing on the remaining twenty-four stations.

Similarly, Ebonyi State has qualified for another Productive Use of Energy Grant worth ₦10 billion, which the State is currently at the final stage of accessing.

Furthermore, the People’s Charter of Needs administration secured the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Programme intervention valued at US$25 million. Ebonyi is among only sixteen states selected to benefit from this important initiative and is at the final stage of accessing the fund.

The administration also secured the African Development Bank (AfDB) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Intervention Grant worth ₦8.1 billion. Out of only eight beneficiary states nationwide, Ebonyi remains the only state from the South-East to benefit from this intervention.

Those who have chosen to amplify the narrative surrounding the alleged $27 million grant would do well to ascertain whether any other South-East state has attracted the array of grants and strategic interventions listed above.

Indeed, by attempting to portray Ebonyi as having missed one opportunity, they have inadvertently highlighted the remarkable success of Governor Nwifuru’s administration in attracting numerous development programmes and investments that have positioned Ebonyi among the leading beneficiary states of both federal and international interventions.

It is therefore evident that the current wave of criticism is driven more by political content creation than by facts. We urge well-meaning Ebonyians and members of the public to disregard the misinformation and remain confident that Governor Francis Nwifuru remains unwavering in his commitment to attracting meaningful development, expanding economic opportunities, and delivering the dividends of democracy to every part of the State.

Under Governor Francis Nwifuru, Ebonyi State will continue to move forward, grow stronger, and achieve even greater milestones.

Dr. Boniface Nwankwo
Special Assistant to the Governor on Documentation
July 4, 2026

25/06/2026

THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNOR FRANCIS NWIFURU’S PROPOSED NEW CEMENT FACTORY AT NKALAGU TO EBONYI STATE

On Monday, 22 June 2026, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru led a delegation of Chinese contractors, manufacturers, designers, and builders to the site of the long-defunct Nigerian Cement Company (NIGERCEM) in Nkalagu, Ishielu Local Government Area, where he formally unveiled plans for the establishment of a new cement factory.

According to the Governor, the decision was informed by the difficulties encountered in attempts to revive the old NIGERCEM plant.

He further stated that geological assessments have confirmed abundant limestone deposits in the area, resources estimated to sustain cement production for at least three decades.

It would be recalled that NIGERCEM was the first indigenous cement manufacturing company in Nigeria and once operated as a major industrial hub in the old Eastern Region. Its collapse, however, triggered far-reaching consequences, including widespread unemployment, economic stagnation, and a sharp decline in industrial activity across Nkalagu and neighbouring communities.

Against this backdrop, the proposed new facility is not only an industrial investment, but also a meaningful restoration of Ebonyi’s industrial legacy.

One of the most immediate economic gains from the cement project will be job creation.

The development is expected to generate direct employment for engineers, technicians, machine operators, accountants, administrators, and other categories of factory workers. It will also create indirect livelihoods for transporters, suppliers, traders, artisans, contractors, and a broad range of service providers, while simultaneously opening opportunities for young graduates and skilled workers who have long been compelled to seek employment beyond the state.

Beyond workforce expansion, the project carries strong multiplier effects. Increased industrial employment will strengthen household purchasing power, improve living standards, and help reduce poverty levels across Ebonyi State.

For years, Ebonyi has relied heavily on agriculture and federal allocations. The emergence of a modern cement plant would therefore accelerate industrialisation and diversify the state’s economy, positioning Ebonyi for more sustainable and internally generated growth.

The initiative also reflects Governor Nwifuru’s “People’s Charter of Needs” industrialisation blueprint, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to repositioning the state as a key manufacturing destination within Nigeria.

Unarguably, a functional cement factory will further enhance state revenue streams. These include taxes and levies, royalties linked to mineral resources, business registrations, permits, and the expansion of economic activities that typically cluster around major industrial sites. Such additional revenues can be channelled into critical public priorities, including road infrastructure, healthcare services, education, and other essential social programmes.

In addition, large-scale cement production is likely to stimulate the growth of complementary industries. A robust industrial ecosystem spanning logistics, construction materials, fabrication, trade, maintenance services, and related value-chain enterprises would emerge, creating a platform to attract further investment into Ebonyi State.

The Governor, while speaking to jubilant residents of Nkalagu, noted that the state has approximately 50 million tonnes of limestone in Nkalagu and 23 million tonnes in Effium, figures that are sufficient to support production for decades. By harnessing these resources, Ebonyi will transform underutilised mineral wealth into productive industrial capital, while also reducing dependence on imported raw materials.

Consequently, the factory is expected to increase the availability of cement within Ebonyi, the South-East, and Nigeria at large. Enhanced local production may reduce transportation costs, improve cement supply and affordability, and lower overall construction expenses.

This, in turn, would encourage housing development and support infrastructure projects driven by both private investors and government initiatives thereby benefiting the broader economy and strengthening long-term development prospects.

Dr. Boniface Nwankwo
Special Assistant to the Governor on Documentation
June 25, 2026