My first physical interaction with the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State — His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru was during a dinner he hosted at the Government House, Abakaliki, for my professional Association — the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN). The event was part of the activities marking our 18th Annual Public Health Lecture Series, which I attended not just as a member but as the Media Aide to the National President — Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi.
It was a show of his magnanimity and recognition for the invaluable contributions of our Association to healthcare service delivery, which made him host such a grand dinner in our honor. He graciously extended his hospitality by opening his doors to the leaders and members of AMLSN for an evening of fine dining and camaraderie.
In the National President’s entourage were his fellow NEOs and the immediate past DG of NIMASA — Rt. Hon. Dakuku Peterside, who is also one of our finest members.
The next morning, Nwifuru was at the venue of the Public Health Lecture as the Chief Guest of Honor and keynote Speaker.
His passion for improving healthcare in Ebonyi State was palpable. He expressed genuine support for the professional practice of Medical Laboratory Science, pledging to enhance the Association’s activities in the State. In a gesture that underscored his commitment, he provided a brand-new bus to AMLSN and promised a land for the construction of its State headquarters. These actions demonstrated his understanding of the pivotal role Medical Laboratory Scientists play in public health and his determination to empower professionals to deliver optimal healthcare services.
Aside that, since his emergence as the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Nwifuru has distinguished himself as a leader with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to improving governance across all sectors. His leadership style has been marked by proactive measures and a results-driven approach, which have earned him admiration from citizens and stakeholders alike.
One of the hallmarks of Nwifuru’s leadership is his dedication to accountability and transparency. This was vividly demonstrated in a recent trending video where he was on his way to inspect a project, and saw a Toyota Dyana truck loading registers, books and other materials from the warehouse in the State Ministry of Health.
The governor drove in and made inquiries but not satisfied with answers, he probed further and discovered that patients’ data registers, cards and a host of other documents were moved into the vehicle.It was also discovered that all the documents had been sold without government approval.
He gave an emotion-filled speech at the scene and described the act as a sabotage of the government’s efforts to reposition the health sector.
“I have not been in office for almost two years but I have spent more than N6 billion buying equipment for the primary health care centres and the general hospitals.
“And this is what you people, the storekeepers, are doing. You are selling government documents without approval on a Saturday afternoon.
“Our hospitals in the rural areas are requesting registers and data entry forms and hospital cards. Sadly, the ones the government has produced are being sold by you,” he lamented.
These public servants, entrusted with the responsibility of serving the community, were caught red-handed attempting to sell these critical healthcare record books to recyclers for personal gains. This alarming revelation is not an isolated case but rather part of a broader pattern of corruption that festers within our country’s public sector, particularly in the civil service. While it is convenient to point fingers at political office holders—President, Governors, and Legislators—for the nation’s problems, it is increasingly clear that the rot often begins much lower down, among the very civil servants entrusted with the daily running of public institutions.
Civil servants, often regarded as the backbone of governance, are in many ways the unsung heroes of any nation. They hold crucial positions in areas ranging from health and education to infrastructure and security. However, in Nigeria, this trust placed in them is frequently betrayed. Corruption, inefficiency, and lack of accountability thrive in various government offices, leading to the siphoning of public resources and neglect of public welfare.
These registers were meant to keep invaluable information about the health of citizens, and any attempt to divert or sell them threatens the integrity of healthcare delivery. Imagine the chaos and confusion that could arise from such actions, where critical health data meant for governmental planning and intervention ends up not captured or in the wrong hands. This is just one of many examples of how public resources are misappropriated, and it is a reflection of a much deeper malaise that has taken root within the country’s civil service.
Imagine the amount of drugs that are stolen with impunity on a daily basis in our primary Healthcare centers.
The true extent of the problem may never be fully realized, as many instances of corruption and mismanagement go unreported or are swept under the rug. But, the scale of the damage is undeniable. Public trust is eroded, and essential services are compromised, all because of the selfish interests of a few individuals who view their roles in the public sector as opportunities for personal gain rather than positions of service.
This growing trend of sabotage within the civil service raises several questions: Why is this happening? What are the systemic issues that allow such behavior to continue unchecked? And most importantly, how can we break this vicious cycle?
One major factor contributing to this problem is the lack of effective oversight and accountability mechanisms. In Nigeria, civil servants, in many cases, operate in a culture of impunity, where the consequences of wrongdoing are either too lenient or non-existent. Without proper checks and balances, it becomes far too easy for individuals to exploit their positions for personal gain.
This current Ebonyi case serves as a stark reminder of the ways in which public servants can misuse their positions for personal enrichment, with little regard for the people they are supposed to serve. And I was impressed when the Governor ordered the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
This act not only exposed inefficiencies within the system but also underscored the Governor’s resolve to protect public resources and ensure effective service delivery.
His approach to governance draws parallels to that of his counterpart in Enugu State, Dr. Mbah, who has implemented an electronic clock-in system in civil service institutions, including parastatals like ESUT Teaching Hospital, and blacklists Contractors who default on their terms of contracts.
Furthermore, Nwifuru’s interventions in Ebonyi’s healthcare and civil service sectors underscore his alignment with modern administrative practices, aimed at enhancing productivity and accountability. His tenure thus far has been defined by decisive leadership, innovative policies, and a people-centric approach. His focus on healthcare, accountability, and administrative modernization paints a picture of a leader who is not only responsive to the needs of his people but also forward-thinking in addressing systemic challenges. Under his stewardship, Ebonyi State is steadily charting a path toward sustainable development and improved public service delivery.
May daylight spare us!
Jude Eze.
