GOVERNOR PETER OBI, WHY NEGLECT ENUGWU-UKWU

Culled: VANGUARD

Enugwu-Ukwu, the clan head of Umunri clan is located on big hills
within the Central Senatorial District of Anambra State. This historic
town has produced human and material resources that played leading
roles in the economic and political history of Old Eastern Region of
Nigeria.
For instance, a pioneer construction company,...
Eastern General
Contractors Ltd, EGC, founded by its indigenes, the late ChiefsD. A.
Nwandu and D. O. Okafor Oba I and Whum III of Enugwu Ukwu respectively
built virtually all the infrastructurein the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka.
As the reputable contractors who played leading roles in the National
Convention of Nigerian Citizens , NCNC, and devoted substantial sums
of money to the party, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dr. M. I. Okpara found
them trustworthy and willing allies in the development of the Region
when they served as Premier between 1954 and 1966.
Arising from these leading roles, Chief Nwandu who later became Oba I
of Enugwu Ukwu was appointed the first Director of the Central Bank of
Nigeria representing the Old Eastern Region of Nigeria.
He was also later elected Mayor of Enugu in the First Republic.Other
indigenes of the town who played leading roles in the construction
industry and political life of Nigeria include Chief R. O. Nkwocha,
Chief FGN Okoye, Chukwuemeka Udenze, Chief Moses Obiekwe, Chief D.O.
Nkwonta, Chief Peter Okoye (all late) and R.N. Okeke, Ezuo Enugwu Ukwu
na Umunri.
However, the indigene of the town who played the greatest role in the
political history of Nigeria was His Royal Majesty Igwe Osita Agwuna
III, Igwe Umunri na Eze Enugwu Ukwu who passed on a few years ago. It
was Igwe Agwuna who delivered the lecture titled: "A Call for
Revolution" in Lagos during the struggle for Independence under the
auspices of theZikist Movement. For their roles in the Movement,
himself, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Mokwugo Okoye and others were
arrested, tried and sent to various terms of imprisonment. It still
remains a matter of deep regret that this big masquerade in the
political history of Nigeria died unsung and unappreciated by the
nation he gave so much to.
All approaches to the Federal Government to give him a belated but
richly deserved National Honour, even if posthumous, have received
negative response. Yet we delight in our sing-song of the labours of
our heroes past shall never be in vain. Who is deceiving who? A
governor with sense of history and heroism will not allow this
continued act of omission or commission on a very worthy indigene of
his state.Yet the state governor is an acknowledged friend and ally of
President Goodluck Jonathan and his government.
Enugwu Ukwu indigenes have also blazed the trail in community
development projects from the old Eastern Regionof Nigeria, to East
Central State and the present Anambra State.
The first General Hospital in the Region built by a communitywas
opened in 1962. Similarly Enugwu Ukwu women in the same year
contributed 72,000 pounds for the construction of a water scheme, the
first in the region by a community. A few years later, about six
indigenes of the town built a post office for the use of the indigenes
and residents. In 1982 the Enugwu-Ukwu Civic Centre, a gigantic
edifice and first of its kind in the state was opened. This complex
served as the first House of Assembly for the newly created Anambra
State in 1991.
One would expect that the efforts of a community whose indigenes are
ever ready and willing to partner with government in the provision of
amenities will be appreciated and encouraged. Regrettably, the
community has been having araw deal in the hands of various
governments of Anambra State.
In spite of the very huge population of Enugwu Ukwu (it was a one town
state constituency in the Second Republic), and theenormous human
capital available in the community, none of its members has been found
worthy of appointment into the State Executive Council or even Local
Government Caretaker Committee Chairman in the past nearly eight years
except one flash in the pan at the inception of the Peter Obi
administration. A recent appointment of a retired Permanent Secretary
as Special Adviser is mere tokenism. The Enugwu Ukwu community
deserves much more than that.
About two or three people who held brief tenure as members of the
State Executive Council in the goverments of Dr. Mbadinuju and Chris
Ngige were appointed on their personal relationship with the
governors. Since Governor Peter Obi mounted the saddle in the past
seven and half years, the Enugwu-Ukwu people have been wondering what
sin they committed that the Governor is punishing them for.
As far as he is concerned the people of Enugwu-Ukwu do not exist. Only
a few months ago, the Governor opened the Nawfia byepass, a link off
the Awka-Onitsha Expressway to the Old Road. All the neighbouring
towns along the express road have bye pass to the Old Road except
Enugwu-Ukwu. Anambra, Umuokpu, Nawfia, Abagana and so on.
The Enugwu-Ukwu people have on many occasions humbly requested the
Governor to give us this very important link from the express road to
the Old Road. He has failed, neglected, refused to do this. Instead
the state government continues to toy with the destiny of Enugwu Ukwu
by appointing, dissolving and re-appointing different caretaker
committees for the town, a situation that creates more confusion than
harmonious existence among the indigenes.
These obvious acts of neglect and abandonment of Enugwu Ukwu Community
by the different administrations concepts of Anambra State since 1991,
and especially that of Governor Peter Obi are deeply regrettable but
the good people of the community believe that no condition is
permanent and that after the darkness comes the glorious dawn. Their
yoke under Governor Obi will be over in some month's time. The Enugwu
Ukwu community however assures Governor Obi that the Enugwu Ukwu bye
pass will become a reality after he leaves office. The community will
then be in a position to tell him "This man is not our God".
Mr. SAM EKPE, a political analyst, wrote from Abuja.

Giants don't be quick to forget, this is the home town of the SUG
Financial Secretary, Comr. Okoye Ebuka Raymond... What does he have to
say?