By Izunna Okafor


The President General of Ekwulobia Community in Aguata Local Government Area, Engr. Emeka Maduabuchi has cleared the air on what could be best described as 'constitutional crisis', rocking the 4th largest city in the state.

This was in reaction to the recent claims made by the Traditional Ruler of the community, Igwe Emmanuel Onyeneke, who said the community had no constitution backing its operation, administration and structure, until in 2010 when one was finally drafted.

The Traditional Ruler had earlier addressed newsmen in his palace, where he disclosed this, saying "The only constitution Ekwulobia has ever had as a town is the Constitution of Ekwulobia Town, 2010, which was drafted by a 59-member constituent assembly representing all the federating villages, diaspora branches, women, youths and other stakeholders.”

Debunking this as false and insulting to the sensibilities of the good people of Ekwulobia, Engr. Maduabuchi who addressed newsmen to a press conference said it was laughable of the monarch to say that all the elites and well-educated people of Ekwulobia have allowed themselves to be governed without constitution since the creation of the town, until 2010 as the monarch claimed, challenging him to tell the world which constitution was used to elect and swear him in as the Traditional Ruler of the community in 2008.

Going memory lane, he said: "Ekwulobia Town is being governed by The 1994 Reviewed Constitution of Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly (EPA), containing both the political and traditional provisions for her governance. This constitution was used for Igwe Onyeneke's election in 2008; his presentation to the Aguata Local Govt Council, Anambra State Government and his coronation were all in line with the provisions of this constitution.

"In 2009, he continued, "a case was made to Ekwulobia General Assembly on the need to undertake a comprehensive review of the constitution. A 59-man Constituent Assembly was consequently inaugurated by the President General of Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly Dr. Mike Ukwuoma Eze, to undertake the review.

"On completion of the review, the signing into law of the constitution named The 2010 Constitution of Ekwulobia Town was fraught with irregularities, as Igwe Onyeneke hijacked the process and refused that the constitution be presented to Ekwulobia General Assembly for adoption.
"This act forced the President General of EPA and some concerned individuals to seek redress in court and challenged him on his plans to sign the constitution into law, without complying with the provision of the 1994 constitution that the 2010 constitution sought to replace. During the pendency of the suit and after the constitution was signed into law, it was discovered that Igwe Onyeneke had even comprehensively doctored the contents of the 2010 constitution submitted to him by the Constituent Assembly, to give himself absolute powers. These mutilations were unknown to the signatories to the constitution including the Chairman of the 59-man Constituent Assembly, a Professor of repute"

He added:
"Not even a plea from the Professor to Igwe Onyeneke to back pedal given that the work submitted to him has been doctored massively, could make him (Igwe Onyeneke) to retrace his steps. Vide a consent agreement between the plaintiffs and defendants in a suit praying to set aside the 2010 constitution, Aguata High Court Ekwulobia, on 3rd June 2013 set aside the 2010 constitution in a consent judgment. Igwe Onyeneke appealed the judgment to the Court of Appeal Enugu and on 11th June 2015, the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the Aguata High Court Ekwulobia"

Away from the constitutional crisis, Engr. Mmaduabuchi further disclosed that the Traditional Ruler has dabbled into other things that have created situations of unrest and kerfuffle in Ekwulobia community, maintaining that the people of the community have been under siege, as the monarch seeks control of all administrative structures at all costs, by whatever means, not minding the injury to democratic observances and norms.

He disclosed that shops numbering over 1700 built at the New Eke Ekwulobia Market by the state government for Ekwulobia people have been sold out by agents masquerading as Anambra State govt, at the instance of Igwe Onyeneke, without consideration for Ekwulobia people; being a land built on piece of lands donated by poor villagers. According to him, their efforts as a community to streamline issues on the market with the state government have been frustrated by Igwe Onyeneke who he said, is more content in securing a piece of land at the market and building his own Plaza of shops.

He said "Ekwulobia market women no longer have a place to sell their local produce, they have to pay money to the agents of Igwe Onyeneke before they can sell their produce. Recently the information reaching us from Igwe Onyeneke's palace is that the new Eke Ekwulobia Market now belongs to Anambra state government, even as monies for buying the shops are being paid into an individuals private account"

Calling on the state govt to institute an investigation into the deals happening in the market, the helmsman further called on the market leaders to immediately stop selling off the shops, while also warning people to desist from buying shops any further in the market, to avoid regrets or loosing their money.

On Ekwulobia Motor Park Shops, he said the community's efforts to take delivery of 159 shops, the ownership of which was awarded them by court in 2002, have been frustrated by Igwe Onyeneke, who, according to him, is now in concert with the tenants in the shops.
Engr. Maduabuchi further alleged that in unconcordant with the 2007 Law of Anambra which guides the formation of community security Anambra State; Igwe Onyeneke has continued to run the security apparatus in Ekwulobia like his private army, saying "He hires and fires vigilante people as he deems fit and sends his security men after his perceived opposition"

He said the monarch constituted a parallel town union executives by himself other than those popularly elected by the people, and has, since his coronation in 2008 conferred over 150 chieftaincy titles to some underserving people in Ekwulobia, thereby proliferating and commercializing conferment of chieftaincy title in the community for his personal benefit and for building his army of chiefs.

Thanking Gov. Obiano for the N20m Community Choose Your Project Initiative which he said the community benefited from, Engr. Maduabuchi however lamented that the first phase of the money was used by the Traditional Ruler and his stooges to erect a small building inside the Aguata Sports Stadium, thus making it a belonging of the entire Aguata, rather than exclusively for Ekwulobia community for which the money was meant, as every other community received their own money, and used it on something that will benefit the people of the community.
According to him, the second phase of the money was also used to erect another small building at the site of Ekwulobia Civic Center, but partly with materials previously stock-piled at the site by the town union, estimated at N8m.

Lamenting that the all the peace initiatives that have been undertaken in the past and so far to restore peace to the community unfortunately ended at the doorstep of the Traditional Ruler; Engr. Maduabuchi who said the people of the community would never succumb to absolute monarchy, urged the state government to urgently intervene in the issues marring the community, by ensuring that the monarch refunds the Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly the N8m material cost he took from their stock pile, jettisons and do away with the doctored 2010 constitution, and operates within the purview of his jurisdiction as Traditional Ruler, so that lasting peace will once again return to the community.

In their separate contributions, some former Presidents General of the community —Prof. Mike Ukwuoma Eze, and Dr. Paulinus Mbamalu — as well as the the Legal Adviser of Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly (EPA), Barr. Okwuchukwu Okeke, and a concerned citizen of the community, Comrade Samuel Igbokwe regretted that the the peaceful community of Ekwulobia has been rocked by such crisis and situation of unrest, which they confessed, have slowed down the development wheel of the community, and hence called on the state government to urgently intervene in the situation and do justice to the matters raised.

Written By Izunna Okafor


The need for more improvement on girlchild's access to quality education has been reiterated, as stakeholders call for reduction on gender inequality and marginalization against girls.

These formed the central point of the 2019 International Day of Child as marked by the Anambra State Library Board in collaboration with the South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO).

Speaking at the event which took place at St. Augustine Secondary School, Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State; the Director of Prof. Kenneth Dike Central E-Library Awka, Dr. Nkechi Udeze said the day was set up by the United Nations to globally celebrate girlchild to advocate more opportunities for girls and increase awareness of gender inequality faced by girls globally, because of their gender, look into problems of girlchild, educate them and encouraged them so that they can attain great heights in the society.

She disclosed that public libraries such as the Anambra State Library have gone beyond just opening doors for people to come and read, and further highlighted some of the ways in which the library contributes towards maximizing opportunities for girlchild, including serving as both traditional resource center, equipping girlchildren with digital skills, organizing other skill acquisition training to empower the girlchildren, sensitizing them on societal issues, facilitating programs that help in inculcating good reading culture and core values in them, with the aim of building a better society.

On the message she had for the girls, the Chief Librarian said "As a girl, you should believe you can do it, and be determined in whatever you want to achieve. Do not allow anybody to stop you; and you can see yourself excelling into greatness"

In their separate speeches, the Programme Officer in charge of education at the South Saharan Social Development Organization, Barr. Mrs. Mariam Aneke, and the Programme Officer in charge of good governance, Barr. Mrs. Nkem Awachie said every girl deserved to be given better opportunity to actualize her dream in life, rather than marginalizing or giving them out in early marriage, which they also say, have a lot of negative effects on the future of the girls.

They further highlighted some of the viable fields and career opportunities girls can venture into, to include being: App/Software Developer, Data Analyst, Pilot, Flight Engineer, Marine Engineer, Astronomer, Construction Engineer, among others; and urged the girls to always aspire to break boundaries and write their names in the book of achievers, by venturing into such areas as 'Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)', which is often regarded as exclusively reserved for men.

Dissecting the theme of this year's celebration —Girl Force: Unscripted and Unstoppable — an Educationist and Project Coordinator at the Development Initiative For Technology and Empowerment (DEVITEM), Mrs. Ngozi Osuchukwu reminded the girls that their abilities, what they can be in life and the extent they can go is not scripted or written for them by anyone; and hence charged them to have confidence in themselves and believe that no one can stop them from getting to the peak of whatever they choose to be, except they do so by themselves.

She further called on the girls to focus on their studies and take it very serious, even as she also advised them to acquire other relevant skills that will help them in life, in addition to their studies, by undertaking some skill acquisition trainings now they are still in secondary school, so as to enable them be self-reliant and self-sufficient in life, without being dependent on anybody, which is why most girls fall prey to male's traps and that of this wicked society.

Contributing, another facilitator at the event, Mr. Chukwuma Chukwura who is also the Executive Director, KIFDAYE Development and Youth Empowerment Initiative Awka said girls have a lot to contribute in the economic and social development of every society, and therefore called on the girls to believe in themselves as well as develop their minds, skills and thinking.

With regard to the Anambra Golden Girls who recently won the World Technovation Prize, Mr. Chukwura extolled the government of Anambra State for giving more girls opportunity to thrive, both in governance and in the educational system, while also calling on other states to emulate same, and urging those in position of authority to abolish some cultural norms and practices that hinder girls from achieving their dreams or attaining certain heights in life.

The event which drew the participation of ten secondary schools in Anambra East Local Government featured presentations by the students and a series of lectures on different topics, including one delivered on 'Managing Menstrual Hygiene And HIV/AIDS' by Nurse Geraldine Uche Ikenwa, of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka. It was also used to recognize and award prizes to some of the outstanding students and female achievers among the participants, including Anigwe Jessica and Chinemerem, both from Stella Maris College, Umueri who developed an app for online voting.

The International Day of the Girl Child was first celebrated on 12 October, 2012, following the voting and passing the day as the inaugural International Day of Girls by the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution was sponsored by the then Canada's Minister for the Status of Women,
Rona Ambrose; a delegation of women and girls made presentations in support of the initiative at the 55th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Demands N5b As Damages


By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

The people of Isu-Aniocha in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State have sued the State Government claiming N5 billion as general damages for allegedly trespassing on the community’s land.
The land was allegedly acquired by the State Government from usurpers of the rights of Isu Aniocha people for the developing of a housing estate in the area.
The suite by Isu Aniocha community has as defendants the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation, Anambra State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Anambra State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning, as well as Messrs Willie Okafor and Anthony Nwofor.

In the Suit No. A/243/2019 filed at the High Court of Anambra State sitting in Awka, the plaintiffs were also claiming N200 million special damages for alleged destruction of 2000 economic trees at the rate of N200,000 per tree, N30 million for 300 timber trees, N500,000 for medicinal shrubs, N10 million for agricultural crops and N4.75 billion for four shrines and three deities.

Messrs Geoffrey Udeh, Basil Ezeike, Jude Okoye and Anthony Nwogbo, who filed the suit on behalf of Umuneri Village in Isu Aniocha also urged the court to grant perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their privies, agents and or cohorts from further trespassing on the said land.

Part of their 31-point affidavit reads: “In May, 2019, the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation and the other defendants engaged thugs, cultists, and some mercenaries and moved them into the plaintiffs’ said land to protect the bulldozers caterpillars, etc they put on the land and to ward off the plaintiffs from their land.

“The bulldozers, caterpillars, etc damaged the agricultural crops, economic crops, medicinal shrubs, timber trees, shrines and juju (deities). The massive damage done on the plaintiffs’ land by the defendants and their agent and cohorts was very massive thereby impoverished the plaintiffs beyond measure.

“The plaintiffs were prevented from further cultivating on the land, reaping from the economic trees on the land, making use of the medicinal shrubs and trees, worshipping and consulting shrines and juju on their land which have been giving signs of wrecking havoc on the plaintiffs and the defendants that desecrated them and other persons involved in the desecration directly and or remotely.”

According to them, a petition was written to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police through the plaintiffs’ counsel, complaining against the massive malicious damage, regretting that the CP failed to investigate the petition to date.

The plaintiffs said that after the malicious damage/trespass, the defendants engaged surveyors who conspired with them in plotting the land and installing beacons without the plaintiffs’ authority and installed sign posts with the inscription:- “This land belongs to Anambra State Housing Development Corporation …… keep off” all over the plaintiffs land, which are still standing on the land.

They added: “The Governor of Anambra State did not revoke the interest of the plaintiffs in the land and the land was not compulsorily acquired by the governor, or by other authority, including the defendants. The plaintiffs, on their part, did not consent to any acquisition or revocation and or trespass.

“The plaintiffs have been prevented by the defendants from making use of the land i.e, farming on same, reaping the economic trees thereon, burying the dead on the dead on the area designated as burial ground, consulting their shrines, deities, etc since May, 2019.

“The plaintiffs, who are predominantly farmers, have been suffering from undue hunger arising from massive damage to their agricultural crops, economic trees, etc and who have been prevented since May, 2019 from accessing their land for their agricultural activities. They are suffering colossal damage by reason of activities of the defendants on the land.”

They prayed the court to declare that the plaintiffs, as owners of the land, were entitled to the right of occupancy over the piece of land.

The statement read in part,: ‘’The Plaintiffs are native of Umuneri Village in Isu-Anaocha Town, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Particularly the 1st plaintiff, 2nd plaintiff, 3rd plaintiff are also the chairman, vice chairman, secretary respectively of Umuneri village meeting while the 4th plaintiff is one of the outstanding principal members thereof.

‘’The Plaintiffs have the authority and consent of the principal members of Umuneri Village Isu-Anaocha Town to file and prosecute this suit on their behalf.
‘’The 1st defendant is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal meant to commercially purchase, lease or otherwise acquire, hold dispose of lane, etc.

‘’The 2nd defendant is the Managing Director of the 1st Defendant while 3rd Defendant is the Estate Director of the 1st Defendant.
‘’The 4th defendant is a Ministry in Anambra State which handles housing and urban development matters in Anambra State, while the 5th Defendant is in charge of lands, etc in Anambra State, which Ministry the 1st  and 2nd  defendants claim allocated the land in dispute to the 1st Defendant.

‘’The defendants without jurisdiction jointly with one another decided and unconstitutionally and unlawfully trespassed into the Plaintiffs' land “Umuneri land” generically called and massively destroyed the economic, and agricultural crops, timber trees, medicinal shrubs, shrines, deities etc of the plaintiffs in May, 2019.

‘’The Plaintiffs became possessed and owners of the land thus:’’ Anoacha was the founder and progenitor of Isu and Achafia (who is founder of the town called Achalla town now). Achafia migrated to and settled at the present location where Achalla town now occupy. Isu as the first son remained in the present location of the town (Isu-Anaocha).
‘’All through this chain of continuous and unbroken genealogy dating from centuries past and times out of memory the said plaintiffs like their ancestors and predecessors have occupies, owned, possessed and cultivated the land in dispute, worship their shrine and buries their ancestors on the land; planted economic trees thereon and have been reaping the fruits ever since without any let or hindrance from any person until the plaintiffs out of sheet greed and wickedness and without any justification whatsoever started to lay a false claim to the land, claiming that the Governor has revoked the plaintiffs interest in the land which is fake and false…………..

‘’In the said plaintiff’s land, there are economic trees and timber trees like Iroko trees, Agba trees etc. There are other economic trees like mango trees, pea trees, banana and plantain trees, gravure trees, Ubuli trees, etc. Also there are medicinal shrubs. On the land are many shrines and deities worshiped by the Plaintiffs from time immemorial e.g. Ifijioku shrine, Ajana shrine, Anya deity etc.
‘’The land has been the only agricultural land from where the plaintiffs earn their living through agricultural practices, greater number of the plaintiffs being professional farmers. Their subsistence lies squarely on their farming activities on the land year in year out till date until to their greatest surprise some intruders (land grabbers) who call themselves Ezinano people from Awka trespassed on the land in 2005 and maliciously damaged the plaintiff’s crops and started potting the land and installing beacons thereon in conjunction with surveyors.

‘’The plaintiffs thereupon organized themselves and chased them away from their land and as a result the Ezinano people of Awka sued the entire Isu-Anaocha community in respect of the land. The particulars of the suit are as follows: Suit NO. A/51/2006 – Emeka Chinwuba and 2 ors (for themselves and on behalf of all other members of Ezinano Community, Awka Vs Chief Chukwuma Okoye and 5 ors (for themselves and the entire people of Isu-Anaocha Town, Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State.) The Statement of claim of the plaintiffs, the Statement of Defence and Counter Claim of the Defendants and the Reply to the Statement of Defence and defence to the counter claim of the plaintiffs are hereby pleaded.

This suit had proceeded in court since 2006 till on 18/12/15 the plaintiffs’ suit – A/51/2006 was struck out by Hon. Justice C.A Emembolu thereby leaving the defendants’ counter claim still pending. Certified True Copy of the striking out proceedings is hereby pleaded.

‘’Notwithstanding the striking of their suit, Ezinano people of Awka represented by Emeka Chinwuba, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Obi and Patrick Nkemka Okoye continued to interfere with the plaintiff’s said land by conspiring with Anambra Housing Development Corporation, Mr. Anthony Nwofor, Willie Okafor and Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and trespassed on the Plaintiff’s land in May, 2019 by massively destroying the Plaintiff’s crops, etc on the land and installing a sign post thereon which sign posts are still standing on the land’’.

‘’The plaintiffs wrote a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State complaining against the massive malicious damage but unfortunately the defendants compromised the commissioner of Police who refused, neglected and or failed to investigate the plaintiffs’ petition till date in spite of the plaintiffs’ efforts to make the commission investigate the allegation all to no avail. The plaintiffs’ petition to commissioner of police Anambra State written through their lawyer Chukwuemeka Ume, Esq. dated 28/5/19 is hereby pleaded.

‘’The defendant in suit No. A/51/2006 have applied for the High Court to hear their counter Claim which application has been fixed for hearing. A copy of the application is hereby pleaded.
‘’The Defendants on record after the aforesaid massive malicious damage/trespass engaged Surveyors who conspired with the defendants in plotting the plaintiffs land and installing beacons without the plaintiff’s authority and without and justification in law or facts.

‘’In addition to the above trespass the Defendants also installed sign posts with the inscription:- “This land belongs to Anambra State Housing Development Corporation …… keep off” all over the plaintiffs land still standing on the land. The plaintiffs caused photographs of the sign posts and the malicious damage to be taken and the massive are hereby pleaded.
‘’The plaintiffs by reason of the trespass and damage aforesaid engage a Lawyer, Chief M.P.S. Ngini Esq. of Mkpuorah, Mkpuorah & Co. to write to the Defendants which he did. The said letter dated 31/7/19 urging the defendants to remove the sign posts, stop further damage to the plaintiffs’ crops, tress, shrines, etc and to pay the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) to the plaintiffs as damages for the massive damage is hereby pleaded.

‘’The defendants reacted to the above letter in a letter 19/8/2019 and denied liability to the trespass and malicious damage to the plaintiffs properties – crops, trees, shrines, etc. The letter dated 19/8/19 is hereby pleaded.

‘’In the defendants letter dated 19/8/2019 the defendants alleged that the plaintiffs’ interests in the said land was revoked by the Governor of Anambra State in 2014 notwithstanding the pendency of the suit and counter claim over the land for title to same, which counter claim is still pending.

‘’The Governor of Anambra State did not revoke the interest of the plaintiffs in the land and the land was not compulsorily acquired by the Governor of Anambra State or by other authority including the defendants and the plaintiffs did not consent to any acquisition or revocation and or trespass.

‘’The plaintiffs have been prevented by the Defendants from making use of the land i.e farming on same, reaping the economic trees thereon, burying the dead on the dead on the area designated as burial ground, consulting their shrines, deities, etc since May, 2019.
‘’The plaintiffs who are farmers predominantly have been suffering from undue hunger arising from Massive damage to their agricultural crops, economic trees, etc and who have been prevented since May, 2019 from accessing their land for their agricultural activities have suffered, and are suffering colossal damage by reason of activities of the defendants on the land.

‘’The defendants destroyed more than 2000 economic trees and timber tress, agricultural crops worth more than N200,000,000.00, medicinal shrubs worth more than N500,000.00 and shrines, and deities of the plaintiffs which require not less than N7,000,000.00 to appease failing which it will wreck havoc of the plaintiffs and the defendants alike and anybody connected therewith.

‘’ WHEREFORE the plaintiffs claims against the defendants jointly and severally are for:

‘’A declaration that the plaintiffs are owners in possession and entitled to the right of occupancy over the piece or parcel of land known and called generally as “Ana Umuneri”, Isu-Anaocha, Awka North Local Government Area abutting on Obibia River, the natural boundary between the plaintiffs and Okpuno and Enugu Agidi towns into which land the plaintiffs trespassed in May, 2019.

‘’The sum of 5 billion Naira being and general damages for trespass on the land by the defendants.
Special damages including 2000 economic trees (Mango trees, cashew, pear trees, palm kolanut, etc) at N200,000.00 each — N 200,000,000.00; 300 timber trees (Iroko, Akpu, Agba, etc) as N100,00.00 each — N  30,000,000.00; Medicinal shrubs —   N500,000.00; Agricultural crops (cassava, yam, okro, cocoa yam, maize, etc) — N  10,000,000.00; 4 shrines and 3 deities — N    7,000,000.00; N 247,500,000.00; N4,752,500,000.00;  N5,000,000,000.00

"GENERAL DAMAGES: The sum of N500,000.00 per day as general damages for continuing trespass and for loss of use of the aforesaid land. Perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants, their privies, agents and or cohorts from further trespassing on the plaintiffs’ aforesaid land from June, 2019."

Written By Izunna Okafor

It was indeed a tripartite celebration over the weekend at Ebenator Community in the Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the community's first professor, Prof. Sam Uzochukwu unveiled his autobiography, launched a Tertiary Education Foundation and celebrated his 50th year marriage anniversary with his lovely wife, Loolo Grace Uzochukwu.

The event and its convivial reception which took place at the Prof. Sam Uzochukwu Residence attracted great sons and daughters of the community, as well as other dignitaries from both within and outside the state who came to felicitate with the intellectual and his family.

In his homily during a special mass for the event, which took place at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Ebenator; the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Hillary Okeke described marriage as a union ordained by God Himself, and noted that it takes God's presence in a family, tolerance and trust, for any marriage to be peaceful, successful, and also stand the test of time; maintaining that nonavailability of the above elements in marriage is the primary reason many marriages crash in a space of time.

Appreciating God for the lives of the celebrants and their children, he further urged them to continue upholding the virtues of trust and tolerance for one another and allow God's presence to always dominate in their family; even as he also called on other families to embrace such rare gestures that will enable their marriage stand the test of the.

While congratulating Prof. Uzochukwu on his giant academic exploits and historic records in the field of knowledge, Bishop Okeke also extolled him panegyrically for deeming it needful and worthy to give back to the society, by launching a Tertiary Education Foundation to assist the less privileged further their studies up to the tertiary echelon, even as he called on other affluent individuals in the society to emulate such gesture, by using their resources to serve both God and humanity.

Speaking, the man of the event, Prof. Sam Uzochukwu who is also the first Professor in the entire Mbanese —which is a general name for a conglomerate of five out of ten communities in the Nnewi South (Ebenator, Ezinifite, Akwaihedi, Osumenyi and Utuh) — said his life story has been a testimony all through, looking backward from where and how he started, while also appreciating God for his life, his marriage and family.

According to him, the two factors that motivated the launching of his new foundation "Prof. Sam Uzochukwu Tertiary Education Foundation" are: (1) desire to give back to the society, being himself, a beneficiary of some financial assistance and scholarship from his primary school level to his postgraduate level, (2) desire to restore his community, Ebenator, to her previous glorious position in education, being the first town to produce a first trained teacher, first university graduate, first medical doctor, and first professor (himself), etc in the entire area.

He said, "This is no longer the case, as Ebenator has been clearly overtaken by her neighbours in matters of education. One of the factors responsible for this is her inability to provide for the education needs of her youths.
"This foundation is therefore a modest attempt to restore the town to the path of her previous glory in education."

Confessing that one person or government alone cannot do it when it comes to matters of education, the University don called for the collaborative effort of other philanthropic individuals, clubs, age grade and other associationa to key into the laudable objective, to assist these brilliant-but-financially-handicapped youths access quality education.

Addressing newsmen, the first son of the celebrants, Mr. Emeka Uzochukwu who described his father as a hero and his mother, as a shero, said the event was a thing of joy, as each aspect of the it has its own significance and lessons that accompanied it.

Enumerating the unique attributes he learnt from his parents' union over the years; he proudly pledged to toe their path, while also registering his firm optimism that the newly launched education foundation will tarry and create the expected impacts and results in the society. He commended his father for such a benevolent gesture of giving back to the society, and called on others to replicate such in their own little or bigger ways, through supporting and donating for the financially disadvantaged but brilliant youths.

Prior to the event day, an inter-zonal football match was played in honour of the legend, Prof. Uzochukwu, in which Uhuala zone emerged the champion after muting Amakom zone with three unretaliated goals in the final round.

According to the newly unveiled autobiography, entitled 'A Single Palmnut' Prof. Samuel Udezuligbo Uzochukwu was born to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred and Elizabeth Uzochukwu in 1940. After his B.A. Degree in English Language from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (1966), he switched to Igbo Studies, being aware of the need to explore this hitherto neglected area. Uzochukwu received his PhD from the University of Lagos in 1981 for a thesis on Igbo oral literature. He stayed at the University of Lagos, rising to become a Professor and Head of the Department of African and Asian Studies.

In 1992, he was appointed a member of the Governing Council of then Anambra State College of Education by former Gov. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; while in 2010, he was also appointed as a member of Subakwa Igbo Committee by H.E. Peter Obi.

By Izunna Okafor


Ukpor, the capital of Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State was agog over the weekend as a philanthropist and human capacity builder, Sir
Lawrence Onuchukwu officially launched the Law Onuchukwu Foundation, a charity organisation, for assisting the needy and the less privileged.

The event which took place at Ukpor Central School field, drew the participation of top government functionaries in the area, clergymen, beneficiaries drwan from the ten communities in Nnewi South, as well as pupils drawn from the sixty-three primary schools in the local government area.

Speaking at the event, the Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi South L.G.A, Engr. Henry Chieloka Okoye who described the foundation as welcome development also lauded the gesture as a charitable approach towards providing selfless service to the humanity, maintaining that such charity-based foundations contribute a lot in ameliorating the sufferings of the needy and the less privileged in the society.

Acknowledging that one must not necessarily wait until he becomes a millionaire before he starts assisting others, Engr. Okoye eulogized the benefactor, Sir Onuchukwu for seeing the need to contribute in bettering the society through helping the needy and investing in human lives, even as he called on others to emulate such.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the benefactor and founder of the foundation, Sir Lawrence Onuchukwu said the foundation is a faith-based, non-governmental, non-political and non-profit making organisation which was purely established for charity reasons and for providing succour and economic empowerment to the less privileged in the society, most especially people living in extreme poverty, all with the aim of putting smiles on their faces.

While disclosing that he finances the program with fifty percent of his salary, Sir Onuchukwu who is the Executive Vice Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and National Chairman of Association of Local Government Vice Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON) confessed that poverty knows not tribe nor religion, and further assured that he hope take the program beyond Anambra and beyond Nigeria, with the help of God.

He said, "Poverty knows no tribe or religion. In November by God's grace, I hope to replicate what I am doing today in Zaria, Kaduna State.
"I'm calling on all well meaning Nigerians to always remember the poor and reach out to them because nobody chose to be poor.
"I have informed my board of trustees that though the program started from my community but with God on my side, we will take it beyond Anambra and beyond Nigeria too. I hope to keep doing this every three (3) months and I need mostly your prayers and encouragement"

On his own part, the member representing Nnewi South Constituency two in the state's House of Assembly, Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi lauded Sir Onuchukwu for his philanthropic gestures and spirit, and for setting up such foundation, which he noted, will greatly impact the society and the humanity in a number of positive ways.
Hon. Akaegbobi, who pledged his unalloyed support to such charity foundations also called on other well-to-do individuals in the society to emulate and key into such initiative, by helping the needy around them and by giving back to the society no matter how little, even as he assured that before the completion of his four years in office as a legislator, there will no longer be any school in any part of his constituency where school children will be sitting on the floor or blocks to take lessons.

Addressing newsmen, the Managing Director, COGNI Associate Nig. Ltd. Mrs. Chinyere Chukwudebelu who represented the father of the day, Chief Francis Chukwudebelu commended Sir Onuchukwu and noted that almsgiving should be everybody's responsibility, no matter how little or how big, while also calling on everyone to henceforth make it a point of duty to always remember and help the needy around him or her, as according to her, that is a surest way of giving back to the society and eradicating poverty.

In their speeches, the Vice Chairman, Madosi Local Government, Kano
State, Hon. Mukfar Dahiru, and his Owerri Municipal
Council Area counterpart, Hon. Faisal Lawal lauded the founder of the foundation, Sir Onuchukwu for the initiative, and further harped on the need to encourage such foundation and charity-oriented initiatives.

Prior to the event proper, Sir Lawrence Onuchukwu visited Ohineleke Central School Ukpor where he had his primary school over thirty years ago, and also visited the Uboma Primary Health Centre, Ukpor, both of which he pledged to continually support. He equally visited his then headmistress during his primary school, Mrs. Priscillia Nneka Anyacho who disclosed that she was so overwhelmed with the unexpected visit and also thank God for making a child he taught decades ago to remember and show her such love, even in her old age.

The event featured distribution of ten thousand exercise books to sixty-three primary schools in Nnewi South, as well as distribution of over five hundred bags of rice to beneficiaries drawn from the ten towns that make up the Local Government Area.

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu


Teachers have been charged to make integrity and uprightness their watchword in the discharge of duties at their various levels.
This was contained in a communique released by the National President of the Association of Business Educators of Nigeria (ABEN), Prof. C.M. Ile and the National Secretary of the association, Dr. Femi Ademiluyi at the 21st Annual National Conference of ABEN at Delta State University, Abraka. 

The release stated that since honesty and ethics are indispensable to societal growth, all business practitioners, teachers and indeed, all members of society should endeavour to make integrity their national way of life.
The conference noted with dismay the practice of selling grades for s*x and monetary inducements, and calls on lecturers to deal with students professionally.

Speaking on the resolutions made at the conference, Prof Ile said the Association has discovered the inadequacy in the quantum of new technologies in tertiary institutions and called on institutions and relevant regulatory bodies to provide the new technologies needed for effective teaching and learning in Business Education.

He also said that that there exists inconsistency in the Business Education curriculum and called on relevant agencies to involve the Association of Business Educators of Nigeria (ABEN) and industry in regular review of the Business Education curriculum.

He further lauded the efforts being made by the Federal Government to improve teaching and learning facilities and human capital growth through TETFUND in tertiary institutions and also commended the government of Delta State for the good work it is doing in the education sector, while also appreciating the management of Delta State University, Abraka for the attention it is paying to Business Education Programme.

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu 


The Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) Anambra State Chapter, over the weekend, brainstormed on the need to diversify and incorporate practical entrepreneurship as a vital tool for survival in the architectural profession.

The 2019 edition of the Architecture conference was graced by seasoned Architects and students from various institutions in the state where members were urged to embrace entrepreneurship as a lasting solution to the challenges facing architects in the society.

According to the keynote speaker Arc. Mike Nwafor who spoke at the two days conference at Awka, diversifying architecture is the only surest way to draw the profession back from going into extinction, adding that artisans and professionals in other fields have in recent time threatened the relevance of the architects in the contemporary society.

Arc. Nwafor who spoke on 'Creative Diversity: Architecture and Entrepreneurship' described architects as master builders where no scheme can be initiated without them, adding that architects are the backbone of developments and inventions as they have initiated various ideas in the society.

He disclosed that there is all manner of marginalization and encroachment of non-Architects into the profession, citing cases where governments and individuals bypass services of the certified architects for artisans and others alike, saying that even many things that were before now exclusive to architects are today being eluded.

He further said that architecture in man has been active since the creation, navigating and conquering the various challenges that nature has presented to man, as the only gift presented to man is the gift of architecture.

"Architecture is grossly under-utilized today because it was there in the beginning. You see it in the Garden of Eden, you see it in the tower of Babylon.
"Architects need to embrace entrepreneurship as there is so much an Architect can do. He can go into estate development or land development; get a piece of land, move into and service the land. He has a whole lot of business models out there for him. It is all for him to step up and seize the various business models that abound in the profession.

"Part of these business models is that it could introduce some unique specific products into the market and services. Example of such unique practice is to have a design that is unique and nobody can compete with. Like there are WiFi and Bluetooth interface doors with disc connectors designed by architects, most architects went into furniture and they all flourished. A furniture that an architect design is always far more special than what you get in the market."

The former Managing Director of Anambra State Housing Corporation urged fellow professionals to ensure that their integrity is not challenged in the scheme of things but should strive to maintain relevance through developing concrete ideas that will bring new innovations to the society.

Also present at the conference was the Anambra state commissioner for Housing, Hon. Michael Okonkwo who challenged architects in the state to device a lasting solution to poor housing plans in the state especially markets where the existing plans do not help in the time of emergency, and also made known the importance of upholding integrity in various aspects of life.

He decried the magnitude of damage caused by erosion in some parts of the state like 100 foot road Nnewi and gully erosion at Nanka community stating that the major cause of the erosion menace is improper termination of drainages. He however, assured that the state government has set up a design review committee that will checkmate quality of the road constructed in the state.

Speaking to newsmen, the Anambra State Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc. Osita Paul Okafor said that the essence of the conference was to explore other areas that is different from the core role of architects, adding that there are various areas an architect can fit in today's world which is distinct from designing and supervising building constructions.

He urged young talents in the field to imbibe the culture of entrepreneurship and leverage on the opportunities that lies in the profession by keying into the business models available.

All is now set for the 2019 edition of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival which will hold this Saturday in Akwa, the Anambra State Capital.

This was contained in a statement issued by the State Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, (Anambra State Chapter), Mr. Izunna Okafor who is also the convener of the event.

He said the event will draw the participation of literary enthusiasts and figures, writers of all class, and intellectuals from different parts of the country, and will feature, among other literay packages: lectures in memory of Achebe, dramatizing of Achebe’s selected books, Open Mic/Spoken Word, Chinua Achebe Essay Writing Competition (for secondary school students, sponsored by the Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation), unveiling and presentation of the Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology entitled "Arrows of Words" (which is the association's newest collection of poems and essays published in honour of Achebe), award presentation, and many more...

According to him, the literary festival which holds annually since 2016 is organized by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, (Anambra State Chapter) in honour of Nigeria's literary legend and father of the African Literature — Late Prof. Chinua Achebe who died in March 2013, in commemoration and celebration of his immense contributions and legacies in the literary field.

While unveiling the 2019 theme of the event — 'Intellectuals And National Development: The Chinua Achebe Approach' Izunna described it as apt, given the rueful position of Nigeria today on the developmental ladder, and the envisaged roles the intellectuals have in fixing it, using Chinua Achebe as a benchmark. 

It would be recalled that Late Achebe, until his death, was a die-hard chauvinistic countryman who, with his wealth of knowledge, contributed immensely in propelling the developmental wheel of his country Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. He was also an intellectual with integrity, as evidenced by his two-time rejection of the country's second highest award for intellectual achievement and contribution to National Development —the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic — in 2004 and 2011 respectively, simply because he perceived things were not going the way they should in the country, as under-development, corruption and impunity were the order of the day.

'This auspicious theme,' Izunna says, 'will be further dissected at the literary festival by an international award-winnig actor and author R.C (Reginald Chiedu) Ofodile who will be the lead paper presenter and Guest Lecturer at the event.'

He further disclosed that the literary festival which is done in collaboration with the Anambra State Library Board will be declared open by H. E. Chief Dr. Willie Obiano, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, who will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest of Honour.

The statement reads in part: "Other guests and literary enthusiasts expected at the literary festival include: Senator Uche Ekwunife (Senator, representing Anambra Central); the state's Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Hon. C-Don Adinuba; Chief Oseloka Obaze (author and former guber candidate); Mr. James Ezeh (Chief Press Secretary to the Governor); Sir Chuka Nnabuife, (author of 'Mbize: Rage of Red Earth, and MD/CEO, National Light Newspaper); Chief Uche Nworah (Author of The Long Harmattan Season, and MD/CEO, Anambra Broadcasting Service); Rev. Fr. Ositadimma Amakeze (author of The Last Carver); Okeke Chika Jerry (author of The gods Are Hungry); Odili Ujubuoñu (author of Pregnancy of the gods); Uzor Maxim Uzoatu (author of  God of Poetry); Isidore Emeka Uzoatu (author of Vision Impossible)"

Furthermore, it enumerated the Royal Fathers of the day to include: 

H R.M Igwe Alex Uzor Onyido

(The raditional Ruler of Ogidi Kingdom)


H.R.M. Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike

(The Traditional Ruler of Ndikelionwu)


H.R.M. Igwe Chidubem Iweka

(The Traditional Ruler of Obosi)


The statement reads: "Participation in the 2019 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival is  absolutely FREE and open to all.


Date: 16th November, 2019

Venue: Prof. Kenneth Dike Central E-Library, Awka, (Beside Aroma Junction).

Time: 10.am

¶Unveils New Anthology For Chinua Achebe

It was a fecund and commemorative gathering yesterday as literary enthusiasts and writers converged in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, to mark the 2019 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival organized young writers in the state.

The event which is a literay festival held annually in honour of foremost Nigerian literary champion, Late Prof. Chinua Achebe in celebration of his worthy life, works and legacies in the literary field.

Delivering a lead paper on the event's theme — ''Intellectuals And National Development: The Chinua Achebe Approach,'' the Guest Lecturer, at the event, RC (Reginald Chiedu) Ofodile described Achebe as a great intellectual and patriot whose commitment to national development was uncommon, being a man who placed his nation’s advancement above his personal glorification, as evidenced by his two-time rejection of the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Going memory lane through Achebe's works and life, Mr. Ofodile, an international award-winning writer and actor said "In his approach as an intellectual striving for national development, abjuring art for art’s sake; Chinua Achebe walked his talk, and posterity gives him credit for that."

Describing the event as auspicious, the Chairman of the occasion who is also an award-winning poet and author of 'Pregnancy of the gods' Mr. Odili Ujubuońu noted that Chinua Achebe was not only a great writer but also a cultural activist who through his pen and mastery of art, exposed to the world, the real beauty of Igbo culture and that of Africa at large.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the convener of the event and Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra Chapter), Mr. Izunna Okafor said the primary aim of the event was to celebrate Achebe as a hero and eagle on the Iroko of African Literature, immortalize him in their own way as young writers, and also remind the concerned authorities to immortalize him the best way he deserves.
He said "Aside these, we also, through this event, promote, encourage and reward creative writing and reading culture among our youths and students; discover and harness the hidden but amazing talents among our young ones, in the literary field; and also present writers and readers (intellectuals) as the elixirs to the country's ailments, among other objectives we pursue through it."

Acknowledging that Anambra State has given the world arrays of writers, Izunna who himself is an award-winning author and journalist also called for public and private support for the subsequent editions of the event, even as he urged the state government to appoint aide(s) (Special Assistant or Senior Special Assistant or even both) on literary matters, who will stand as a bridge between the government and writers in the state, both young and established.

Responding, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano, represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. James Ezeh extolled the young writers for initiating and sustaining the literary festival in honour of Achebe the legend, and also avowed the state government's continuous support to the young writers and youths in the state, being a youth friendly Governor.

The Governor was thereafter presented with a gift of pictorial artwork containing a sonnet, creatively crafted by one of the young writers, Mr. Chinonso Okafor.

The 2019 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival featured, among other literay packages, the unveiling and official presentation of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, entitled "Arrows of Words" which is a new (85-paged) anthology of poems and essays, published by the young writers in honour of Achebe.
The event also featured presentation of awards to some deserving personalities and organisations in the state, as well as presentation of prizes to the winning schools and students in the Chinua Achebe Essay Writing Competition, which is an essay writing competition for secondary schools in Anambra State, endowed by the Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation (publishers of the National Light Newspaper, Ka O Di Taa Igbo Newspaper and Sportslight Xtra).

Others great writers and literary enthusiasts who graced the occasion included the Traditional Ruler of Obosi, H.R.M Igwe Chidubem Iweka, represented by Chief Okey Mgbemena (Uzzi Obosi); Sir Chuka Nnabuife (author of 'Mbize: Rage of Red Earth, and MD, National Light Newspaper); Mr. Uzor Maxim Uzoatu (author of God of Poetry, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Communication); Rev. Fr. Ositadimma Amakeze (author of The Last Carver); Mr. Okeke Chika Jerry (author of The gods Are Hungry); Mr. Isidore Emeka Uzoatu (author of Vision Impossible); the Director of Anambra State Library Board, Dr. Nkechi Udeze, and MD/CEO of Naira Rice industry, Comr. Arinze Omenwa, among others.

By Izunna Okafor

History will be made again on Sunday November 24 2019, as the Christ the King College Old Boys’ Association, Abuja branch sets to join the Catholic faithful across Nigeria in the annual celebration of the feast of Christ the King, with a Pubic Presentation of a CKC new book — "Sons of a Priest" by a CKC old boy and multiple award-winning author, Odili Ujubuoñu.

This was contained in a statement issued by the President of CKC Onitsha Old Boys’ Association Abuja Branch, Chief Emeka Eriobuna, in which he disclosed that the day is also the feast day celebration of the Christ the King College, Onitsha, which is one of the foremost secondary school schools in Nigeria.
He said this year’s event, which would involve old boys of the college with members of their families, will commence with a High Mass at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Gwarinpa Abuja by 9:00 a.m.
According to him, the book is a collection of testimonials of past students of the longest serving and first black principal of the college, the late Very Reverend Fr. Nicholas Chukwuemeka Tagbo OON.
These past students, he said, include: Governor Willie of Obiano of Anambra State, Dr. Peter Odili former Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Peter Obi former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Mike Ajegbo, His Lordship Archbishop Valarian Okeke–Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Onitsha–Hon. Justice P.N.C Umeadi former Chief Judge of Anambra State, among others.

The statement reads in part: "The book project began in 2016 shortly before the death of the old priest, Fr. Tagbo at the age of 87 years.
"Sons of a Priest is a strong emotional statement by over a hundred past students, united in their voices in proudly telling the world how a simple and humble priest sacrificed his life so that tens of thousands of ordinary boys could become leaders, influencers of society and very remarkable successes in different walks of life and around the world. When our branch saw the great work the author, whom we are very proud of, was embarking on we decided to partner with him.
“Rev. Fr. Tagbo was a man of quality and everything that bears his name goes with quality that is why we are making this a very quality event.”
"The Public Presentation would be done by another distinguished old boy Mr. Cecil Osakwe an Abuja based Lawyer and Luxury Property Developer."

Speaking further, Chief Eriobuna, an Estate Surveyor, opines “This event would be attended not just by CKC greats but captains of industry, the diplomatic community, members of the media, political and party leaders and members of the clergy –who form the primary constituency of our late principal, priest, father, mentor and friend. The Book event would take place by 4.00pm at the Sandralia Hotel, Jabi, Abuja, FCT.”

He concludes “In order to make the fame of our college last forever, we must keep ensuring that Christ the King College stands head and shoulders above its contemporaries in academics, sports, discipline and morals. The book event, apart from celebrating our former principal, will enable us pay attention to the immediate and remote needs of our alma mater."

Christ the King College was founded in 1933 by Irish missionaries led by the then Archbishop of Onitsha, Archbishop Charles Heerey. Among the eminent products of the school are the late Rev. Fr. N.C. Tagbo himself, late Justice Chukwudifu Oputah, Justice Chuba Ikpeazu, Dominic Cardinal Ekandem, Prince Felix Esayande Akenzua, Chief Chike Ofodile, SAN, Dr. Ibe Nwoga, Justice Allagoa, Dr. Ene Henshaw, the great novelist John Munonye and a host of countless others.

Rev. Fr. Nicholas Chukwuemeka Tagbo OON was born in 1929 in present day Anambra State. He graduated from the college in 1949 and was first appointed the first black principal of the Christ the King College, Onitsha in 1963. Under his tutelage, Dr. Peter Odili served as a senior prefect and several other great men earned their early leadership formation. During the war, Rev. Fr. Tagbo preserved CKC’s rich archives and tradition and was able to return the school to its early glory immediately after the Nigerian Civil war.

This culminated in the school winning, for Nigeria, the nation’s first ever world football trophy by bringing home from Dublin-Ireland, the World Schools’ Soccer Cup in 1977. Tagbo died in July of 2016 after a protracted illness. He received a grand burial from Christ the King College Onitsha, Old Boys. It was reported that at his burial, thousands of his former students besieged the commercial city of Onitsha from every corner of the earth to pay their last respects to him. Among N.C. Tagbo’s exceptional past students was the world renowned Computer Scientist, Philip Emeagwali and Dr. John Agwunobi who was once the Secretary of Health, the State of California, U.SA.

By Izunna Okafor, Awka


The Coalition of 2019 APC Candidates for the Anambra State House of Assembly has registered her heartfelt felicitations to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Chief George Nnanedum Moghalu, as he clocks 57-year old today.

This was disclosed by the group's Coordinator, Hon. Paul Uzochukwu Ezeobi, who was also the candidate of the All Progress Congress (APC) for the Nnewi South Constituency 2 in the 2019 general election.

According to him, "Chief Moghalu, popularly known as Ohamadike who was born on a blessed day as this in the year 1962 is a philanthropist, a moralist and a national figure who has employed both his resources and knowledge in rendering selfless service to the mankind."

Speaking further, he said "He's a man of uncommon reputation whose impacts have been felt by many, and whose life and magnanimous contributions to human and national developments are worth celebrating, even on daily basis."

The coalition further wished the elder statesman, Muoghalu many more years ahead, and prayed for more of God's blessing, wisdom and strength upon him, to enable him do more, both for the humanity and for society at large.


Chief Dr. George Moghalu, (born on December 10, 1962) is the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Crystal Functions Limited (an advertising Company of repute), Crystal Prints Limited, Gen-Moh Investment Limited and Aqua Dera Technologies Limited. He's also the founder and President of Zimuzo Development foundation —a charity-oriented foundation that he uses for most of his philanthropic activities. He has held various positions in the past, both at the national and sub-national levels.

On 1st October, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of Chief Moghalu as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Exactly one month after the 2019 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival which held on Saturday 16th November, 2019; young writers in Anambra State has officially unveiled the communiqué birthed by the annual literary event for public consumption.
The communiqué, as was made available to our correspondent, by Mr. Izunna Okafor, the Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra Chapter) which is the literary body that organizes the event highlights six significant items, as reads below:


COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 2019 CHINUA ACHEBE LITERARY FESTIVAL ORGANIZED BY THE SOCIETY OF YOUNG NIGERIAN WRITERS (ANAMBRA STATE CHAPTER) WHICH HELD AT THE PROF. KENNTH DIKE CENTRAL E-LIBRARY, AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE, ON SATURDAY, 16TH NOVEMBER, 2019.

ABOUT THE CHINUA ACHEBE LITERARY FESTIVAL:
Chinua Achebe Literary Festival is an annual literary event held in honour of Nigerian writer and literary critic — Chinua Achebe, the author of Things Fall Apart, in commemoration and celebration of his works and immense contributions in the literary field.
The literary festival was initiated in 2016 (three years after Achebe's death) by award-winning Nigerian writer, journalist and Igbo language activist, Izunna Okafor, who is also the Anambra State's Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, a literary body of young writers that organizes the event annually.
Since its inception (four years ago), the event has held annually on Chinua Achebe's date of birth (16th November) at the Prof. Kenneth Dike Central E-Library, Awka the capital city of Anambra State, Achebe's home state.
Prior to the event each year, the organizers would open and publicize Call For Submissions on various online literary platforms and magazines, for writers to write and submit poems and essays in honour of Achebe, which they thereafter publish as anthology, known as Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology.
The annual anthology is usually published and unveiled on day of the literary festival, and has attracted and featured works of writers from different countries of the world.
For the first three years of the literary event in 2016, 2017, and 2018, the organizers consecutively called for submissions and consequently published three anthologies.
However in the 2019 edition of the event, there was no call for submissions; rather, the three previously published anthologies were collated and published together as a single anthology, entitled "Arrows of Words" which was unveiled at the event.
OBJECTIVES OF THE FESTIVAL:
1. To remind the concerned authorities the need to immortalize Achebe, who died since March 2013.
2. To immortalize Achebe in our own way (as young writers), by publishing annual Poetry/Essay Anthology in his honour, which comprises of poems and essays contributed by writers from different countries of the world, in response to our 'Call For Submissions' that we usually publicize on literary magazines and platforms (both print and online), prior to the event each year
3. Promote, encourage and reward creative writing and reading culture among our youths and students.
4. Discover and harness the hidden but amazing talents among our young ones, in the literary field.
5. To promote literary activities in Anambra State and retain the state at her apex position in the Nigerian literary community.
6. To present writers and readers (intellectuals) as elixirs to the country's ailments and other societal issues, among other objectives.

PREAMBLE TO THE 2019 EDITION OF THE EVENT:
The 2019 edition of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival held on 16th November, 2019 at the Prof. Kenneth Dike Central E-Library, Awka, with the theme— 'INTELLECTUALS AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE CHINUA ACHEBE APPROACH'. The lead paper was presented by RC (Reginald Chiedu) Ofodile (international award-winning author and actor)
The event which started at 10:00AM, was well-attended by some selected secondary schools in Awka zone, as well as some literary enthusiasts in Anambra State. These include:
The Traditional Ruler of Obosi, H.R.M. Igwe Chidubem Iweka;Mr. James Ezeh (Chief Press Secretary to the Governor); Sir Chuka Nnabuife, (author of 'Mbize: Rage of Red Earth’, and MD/CEO, National Light Newspaper); Rev. Fr. Ositadimma Amakeze (author of The Last Carver); Okeke Chika Jerry (author ofThe gods Are Hungry); Odili Ujubuoñu (author of Pregnancy of the gods); Uzor Maxim Uzoatu (author of God of Poetry); Isidore Emeka Uzoatu (author of Vision Impossible); RC (Reginald Chiedu) Ofodile (international award-winning author and actor); Dr. Nkechi Udeze, (Director, Anambra State Library Board), among others.
The 2019 event featured: lectures in memory of Achebe, dramatizing of Achebe’s selected books, Open Microphone/Spoken Word Poetry, Chinua Achebe Essay Writing Competition, for secondary school students (endowed by the Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation), award presentation, and other literary packages slated for the day.
The event also featured the unveiling and public presentation of the Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology entitled "Arrows of Words" (which is the association's newest collection of poems and essays published in honour of Achebe).


RESOLUTIONS REACHED AT THE EVENT WERE AS FOLLOW:
1. IMMORTALIZING ACHEBE
It was resolved that Chinua Achebe should be immortalized as soon as possible by the Anambra state government, (before other states do so ahead of his own state)
On this, it was suggested that a Writers Village or Writers Residency be established in his honour. Writing Residency is a retreat experience designed to help writers pursue their creative growth. Residencies provide a place for writers to step out of their regular routine and focus solely on their (writing) work without the disruptions of daily life, for a particular period of time.
There is only one writers residency in the whole country —the Ebedi Writers Residency (which is even privately owned) — located at Iseyi, Oyo State.
Anambra State Government should establish one in honour of Chinua Achebe, who himself was a fellow of many writers residency across the world. Aside its numerous benefits, this would make Anambra the first state to own a writers residency in the entire country, and also serve as a tourist attraction.
2. APPOINTMENT:
It was resolved that Anambra State Government should appoint aide(s) on literary matters (SA, SSA or even both) who will stand as the bridge between writers in the state (both young and established) and the state government.
This/these should be someone experienced in creative writing and literary arts, and could be from be from this writers body and/or any other writers body in the state, for Anambra has given the world arrays of writers (both young and established) who are doing the state proud, both nationally and internationally.
Hence, the state deserves to have such vital office(s); even though no state government in the country has ever created nor dreamt of creating such. Anambra is known for setting the pace; and this should be extended to the literary field as well.
3. SPONSORSHIP
It was resolved that Anambra State Government and/or private individuals, and/or corporate organizations should undertake the annual sponsorship of this fecund and commemorative festival in honour of this legend who, since his demise in 2013, has never received any such honour from any part of the world.
Anambra is Achebe's state, and he is our own. Thus, we are in the best position to give him this great posthumous honour which he so much deserves till eternity. This literary festival, which has been recognized and published by Wikipedia, should be accepted by the state government as an annual literary honour accorded to Achebe here in his own state, and hence, be treated it as such.
The event should be upgraded beyond its current level; thereby transforming it into a tourist attraction on the shortest long-run, for Achebe's name alone is a tourist attraction.
4. EMPOWERMENT:
It was resolved that young writers in Anambra State deserve to, and should be empowered, both financially and intellectually.
As youths who are into agriculture and skills acquisition are trained and empowered to start what they have learnt; young writers also need to be periodically trained (by way of Creative Writing Workshop) and financially empowered to publish what they have written, so that as the state is the first to reckon with in those fields, we should also remain the first state to reckon with, when it comes to the literary field in the country and beyond. Literary Arts should be seen, regarded and treated as a vital and viable sector in the state.
5. APPRECIATION:
Young writers specially commend the state government again for sponsoring the Chimamanda Adichie's Purple Hibiscus Creative Writing Workshop coming up in Awka this December.
They also plead that such event and writing workshop be sustained and hosted periodically for young writers in the state, in order to raise another generation of Achebe's who will take over the mantle in the nearest future.

6. ANAMBRA WRITERS’ AWARD
It was resolved that Anambra State Government should establish/flag off at least one annual literary award, to recognize, reward and encourage creative writing in the state. A lot Anambra young writers are doing the state proud in the country and in the international community (both in award and in publication); and hence the state ought to recognize and encourage these youngsters in their own state, so as to do more.
This communiqué therefore requests and urges the concerned authorities, individuals and organisations in Anambra State to give keen attention to, and take the necessary actions on each of the items highlighted therein, for the utmost progress and advancement of literary arts in the state, which in turn, will also reflect on and contribute to the overall development and progress of the state at large.

SIGNED:
…………………… ………………..
Izunna Okafor Onyinyechi M. Kenneth
The Coordinator Secretary
Society of Young Nigerian Writers 07010178124
(Anambra State Chapter)
08163938812

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- Recalls Agba Village Reps In Onyeneke’s Cabinet



By Odogwu Emek Odogwu

ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU writes that there is fresh crisis in Ekwulobia community Aguata local government area, Anambra state weekend following the implementation of its vote of no confidence resolution on the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia, Igwe Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke , Ezejiofor 11 of Ekwulobia by the Agba Development Union (ADU), a village out of the 9 villages in Ekwulobia. The village said its decision was hinged on lack of peace in the community since the enthronement of Igwe Onyeneke since December 2008. This, it said is a move to restore peace to Ekwulobia.
The Agba Development Union also recalled all her representatives in the Igwe’s cabinet and traditional council whether as Ichie, Aka-Ichie or Chief until peace is restored to the community.
There are 9 villages in Ekwulobia though the community is divided into two traditional divisions- Ezi and Ifite. The 9 villages are Umuchiana, Agba, Umuchi, Ula, Okpo, Eziagulu, Nkono, Abogwume, and Ihuokpala.
The statement by Agba Village Development Union announcing the stand of the village was signed by Okoli Uchechukwu Bertrand Bsc, Vice Chairman, Agba Development Union, Engr. Okoye Ikechukwu Buddy , General Secretary Agba Development Union and Bar. Augustine Ezeokeke Uchendu , Legal Adviser , Agba Development Union respectively.
The village as well rejected the appointment of Reverend Chukwuemeka Ezeike as President General of Ekwulobia under any guise whether as a caretaker or Development Union.
The statement read in part: ‘ That a vote of no confidence be and is hereby passed on Igwe Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, Ezejiofor 11 Ekwulobia.
‘We reject the appointment of Rev Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeike as President General of Ekwulobia under any guise whether as a caretaker or Development Union.
‘We hereby recall all our representatives in the Igwe’s cabinet and traditional council whether as Ichie, Aka-Ichie or Chief until when lasting peace is restored in Ekwulobia.
‘The Agba Development Union shall continue to stand and support in its entirety the peace report of the religious/clergy committee dated 31st December, 2016.
‘Henceforth we will no longer participate in any of the traditional activities of Igwe E.C. Onyeneke until peace is restored in Ekwulobia. Any person(s) who may continue to do so is on his own and do not represent Agba village’.
The release added that the signatories were for themselves and on behalf of the entire people of Agba village, Ekwulobia under the auspices of Agba Development Union.

The Agba Development Union release added as well that: ‘The Agba development Union, ADU, therefore condemns in very strong terms, the attitude of HRM Igwe E. C. Onyeneke in truncating every attempt/move to resolve the lingering leadership crisis in Ekwulobia particularly the last peace report of the religious/clergy group.
‘Igwe’s continuous rejection of peace process and accord marks him out as lacking in the acumen and sagacity to lead than to rule.
‘Igwe’s interference in the leadership of the town union whereby he chooses and handpicks any person of his choice who agrees to do his biddings as the President-General without following due process of democratic election is highly condemnable.
‘Let us remind all that on 31st December, 2016, the religious Group in conjunction with all present placed a course against any person, persons or group of persons who win in any way truncate, disrupt or sabotage the peace accord.
The release tagged: ‘a communiqué issued by Agba Development Union: a call to action for peace in Ekwulobia’ went memory lane of how the crisis in Ekwulobia started and efforts made at achieving peace and how Igwe Onyeneke truncated the entire peace process.
The release read in part: ‘’The good people and members of Agba Development Union, Ekwulobia, held their mid-year meeting on 29th June, 2019 at the Agba Village hall during which they reflected on the goings on and various issues concerning Agba Village in particular and Ekwulobia town at large, especially issues bordering on the lingering leadership crisis in Ekwulobia town. The people of Agba village painstakingly recalled with nostalgia the last peace efforts made by the Ekwulobia Indigenous/working clergy and religious group.
‘The report of this committee of notable, prominent, and highly revered men of God contained recommendations which if genuinely accepted and acted upon would have been the permanent solution to the totality of all the problems that have bedevilled the Ekwulobia town since the coming into office an mounting to the throne as the traditional ruler and Igwe of Ekwulobia by HRM Igwe Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, Ezejiofor II of Ekwulobia in 2009.

‘The meeting further recalled that when the peace report was presented to all the people of Ekwulobia on the 31st December, 2016, in the presence of Igwe E.C Onyeneke at the Ekwulobia township stadium, it was wholeheartedly and sincerely accepted by all and Sunday as a working document towards the realization of permanent, sustainable and lasting peace in Ekwulobia. The key recommendations in the peace report which was unanimously accepted and instantly put into implementation include;
‘The immediate collapse and dissolution of the two factional town union leadership of Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly, EPA led by Engr. Emeka Madubuchi and the other faction of Ekwulobia Development Union led by Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeike. It is instructive to note that these two factional leaders are natives and members of Agba village, Ekwulobia i.e (Agba Development Union. ADU).
‘The immediate formation of a new interim Executive Committee of Ekwulobia town with 2 (two) representatives was instantly put into effect as all the village consulted amongst their members present as the August assembly and selected two representatives each that constituted the interim Executive Committee.
‘The formation of a 29-member constitution Drafting/Review Committee with the mandate to draft another constitution for Ekwulobia town using the existing 1994 and 2010 constitutions as working documents. Not few were bewildered when Igwe said that he will go back and study the report all Ekwulobia people present have adopted.
‘HRM, Igwe E. C Onyeneke who was physically present witnessed the selection by each of the 9 (nine) villages of the 2 persons each that constituted the 18-man interim Committee.

‘It is mostly regretted that soon after the remarkable event of 31st December, 2016, and while the Ekwulobia community was still enjoying the aura of the recent peace that just arrived in the town, the traditional ruler and Igwe E. C Onyeneke made a U-turn and roundly rejected the peace report of the religious group laying unsubstantiated claims and allegations against the reverend fathers, priests, clergy men and even members of the just constituted interim committee. He successfully frustrated and truncated the peace process and set up a Kangaroo Executive Committee led by Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeike whom he transmuted from a care-taker chairman and transformed into a President General.

‘It is also worthy of note that in one of ADU previous meetings, pastor Ezeike was invited to explain to ADU how he became the PG, he could not offer any meaningful explanation except that he is the President General recognized by Anambra State Government. Amid this crisis, all the entitlements due to Agba from within Ekwulobia and outside Ekwulobia including the ones from the Anambra State/Federal Government are not being accounted for.

‘The Igwe has continued since then to handle the leadership of Ekwulobia town with every sense of high-handedness employing every scheme of divide and rule which has continued to disunite the people and negatively affected the needed development in the town.
‘It must be recalled that since Igwe E.C. Onyeneke mounted the throne (stool) as the traditional ruler and Igwe of Ekwulobia about a decade ago, peace has eluded the town and yet he is neither perturbed nor ever lose his sleep about it.
‘In fact, it is like the Igwe is benefiting from the leadership crisis in the town otherwise this last attempt by the religious group was the 4th in the series of efforts to find peace in Ekwulobia but the Igwe personally truncated them all’, the release concluded.

Written By Marcel Ike Okonkwọ



Okonkwo, my great grandfather. Sprouted from the metaphysical realm into the world of matter
Crossing the proverbial seven rivers and seven forests of Igbo legendary fables.

Coming from the soul's personality To penetrate the womb of earthly existence
You took form and drew your breath
which went through my lungs
and made me your incarnate
in the mould and spirit of my ancestors, entangled by the long arm of ancestral lineage.

Within the recesses of my inner sanctuary, in nobility and honour you have reborn your essence.
We commune in thought as you instruct my heart with the dictate of truth, decorum and good conduct.

The record of every thought you have given birth to is enfolded in my soul seed.
We live continually but not in one state of existence.
One life in preparation for the next.
I am more today what you established in previous incarnation.

Within the enclave of my bright heart
you revealed our native gods to be same as foreign deities.
Hence my consciousness at times lie with the gods of my forebears — a period of soul cleansing.

The lesson is,
we are who we are and who we are is what we are.
As within, so without.
What is bred in the bone comes out in the flesh.

The wisdom is,
nothing is ever black and white.
A whole spectrum lies in between and beyond.
It takes meditation to decipher the vague truth.

I don't need a book to tell me how you got into me,
I am aligned to the inner calligraphy.
The writing is on the wall of self.
Life after life. Age after age.
And this one sprang from the last.
I am the thought. You are that which moves the thought.
Where the heart is born from, and where ever it returns to, my spirit follows.

Once I knew not without knowing. Now I know that I know not
with the willingness to know.
Okonkwo, still a puzzle you have left me with, that destiny is where I end up and fate how I end up there
That a time will come when fate and destiny will meet at a crossed road.
While one defines who I am,
the other defines who I will become.

With the embers of your dazzling flame,
exorcise the demons of my future.
In the potency of your name,
guide me to the understanding of the meaning of life and my role in the world
so that my journey in lifetime be made well.

Okonkwo, I walk in your footstep
in memory of yesterday and in hopes and dreams of tomorrow.
One journey ends, yet a new one begins.
Out goes an age and comes an era.
Goodnight Okonkwo, good morning Marcel.
I am the only person I still aspire to be.

I am pregnant with infinity, it flows.
That was the river, this is the sea.
The Sun there is to shine.
A star like the moon.
Behold me. Now I arise.
Peace be still.


About The Poet:

Marcel Ike Okonkwo is a young author and poet who hails from Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Although a graduate of Business Management, his exploitative mind transcends one line of study and cuts across various fields of life.

He has insight into life situations as well as offers practical advice as operating instruction for our existence.

Marcel Okonkwo inspires people to uphold virtues, integrity, moral standard and what could be seen as a life and vista that leads to ultimate goodness and refinement.
He is the author of these inspirational books — 'The Trail of The Guiding Light' and 'The Oracle of Light' which are all available on amazon.

By Marcel Ike Okonkwo


I share my words not in the dark shadows of light,
Rather I splatter them across the horizon of life for the world to gaze upon.

Meeting Mmasinachi was by fate, Becoming her friend was my choice
But falling for her was out of my control.

Now I can't even finish a bulb of a roasted corn
Without smiling in-between the bites at the thought of her.
I do things I could not explain just to gaze at her.

Her image rotates ever before me.
Oh what a beautiful creature!
Preciously formed with enchanting physiognomy.

Her dark seraphic eyes
Emit swords of passion
that pierce deep my erratic heart.
The sight of her lips
Ever begets solace to my troubled soul.

So rare her type is as a blue rose.
Pure, charming is her heart just like a cart of precious metals.

Beauty is native to her essence.
Each time I see her
My heart delivers and smiles out.

Obviously I have been overtaken
By a force too stronger than me.
Before her I appear the weakest.

This has wrestled me to the ground that sometimes
I desperately want to fetch the world just for her
But can never imagine fetching a small corner for my own self.

Under the fluffy blue sky,
Under the sound of the chirping birds,
close to the emerald sea and the beauty of nature
I speak plainly of my true feeling.

In confessions of undying truth
I wish to taste the sweet wine of her creamy nectar
And feel the contours of her exquisite form which makes her ever alluring.

I crave to dwell in the freshness of her presence,
Cuddle her in my warmth arm
And feel the throbbing of her thriving essence.

Now the road is no more stretcher.
My destination can't be any farther
In this garden of a scented glory.

I am lost in her winds of passion
For a great freedom have I found in her affection.
Oh, how did I come thus far?

I shall dwell here in her aura's glory
And bask in her breathtaking gestures of enchantment.
Let the umbilical cord bind us together in a symphony of an endless love and unity.

Though I do not comprehend most of my actions these days
I need no help at all
For I am liking what I am seeing.

I wish not to be rescued
From this force that carries me along
Until time and existence cease to be anymore

Oh, till then
And only till then
I'll forever love Mmasinachi.



About The Poet:

Marcel Ike Okonkwo is a young author and poet who hails from Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Although a graduate of Business Management, his exploitative mind transcends one line of study and cuts across various fields of life.

He has insight into life situations as well as offers practical advice as operating instruction for our existence.

Marcel Okonkwo inspires people to uphold virtues, integrity, moral standard and what could be seen as a life and vista that leads to ultimate goodness and refinement.
He is the author of these inspirational books — 'The Trail of The Guiding Light' and 'The Oracle of Light' which are all available on amazon.

Ekwulobia Crisis: Agba Development Union Disowns Igwe Onyeneke



Passes Vote of No Confidence 

- Recalls Agba Village Reps In Onyeneke’s Cabinet



By Odogwu Emek Odogwu

ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU writes that there is fresh crisis in Ekwulobia community Aguata local government area, Anambra state weekend following the implementation of its vote of no confidence resolution on the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia, Igwe Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke , Ezejiofor 11 of Ekwulobia by the Agba Development Union (ADU), a village out of the 9 villages in Ekwulobia. The village said its decision was hinged on lack of peace in the community since the enthronement of Igwe Onyeneke since December 2008. This, it said is a move to restore peace to Ekwulobia.
The Agba Development Union also recalled all her representatives in the Igwe’s cabinet and traditional council whether as Ichie, Aka-Ichie or Chief until peace is restored to the community.
There are 9 villages in Ekwulobia though the community is divided into two traditional divisions- Ezi and Ifite. The 9 villages are Umuchiana, Agba, Umuchi, Ula, Okpo, Eziagulu, Nkono, Abogwume, and Ihuokpala.
The statement by Agba Village Development Union announcing the stand of the village was signed by Okoli Uchechukwu Bertrand Bsc, Vice Chairman, Agba Development Union, Engr. Okoye Ikechukwu Buddy , General Secretary Agba Development Union and Bar. Augustine Ezeokeke Uchendu , Legal Adviser , Agba Development Union respectively.
The village as well rejected the appointment of Reverend Chukwuemeka Ezeike as President General of Ekwulobia under any guise whether as a caretaker or Development Union.
The statement read in part: ‘ That a vote of no confidence be and is hereby passed on Igwe Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, Ezejiofor 11 Ekwulobia.
‘We reject the appointment of Rev Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeike as President General of Ekwulobia under any guise whether as a caretaker or Development Union.
‘We hereby recall all our representatives in the Igwe’s cabinet and traditional council whether as Ichie, Aka-Ichie or Chief until when lasting peace is restored in Ekwulobia.
‘The Agba Development Union shall continue to stand and support in its entirety the peace report of the religious/clergy committee dated 31st December, 2016.
‘Henceforth we will no longer participate in any of the traditional activities of Igwe E.C. Onyeneke until peace is restored in Ekwulobia. Any person(s) who may continue to do so is on his own and do not represent Agba village’.
The release added that the signatories were for themselves and on behalf of the entire people of Agba village, Ekwulobia under the auspices of Agba Development Union.

The Agba Development Union release added as well that: ‘The Agba development Union, ADU, therefore condemns in very strong terms, the attitude of HRM Igwe E. C. Onyeneke in truncating every attempt/move to resolve the lingering leadership crisis in Ekwulobia particularly the last peace report of the religious/clergy group.
‘Igwe’s continuous rejection of peace process and accord marks him out as lacking in the acumen and sagacity to lead than to rule.
‘Igwe’s interference in the leadership of the town union whereby he chooses and handpicks any person of his choice who agrees to do his biddings as the President-General without following due process of democratic election is highly condemnable.
‘Let us remind all that on 31st December, 2016, the religious Group in conjunction with all present placed a course against any person, persons or group of persons who win in any way truncate, disrupt or sabotage the peace accord.
The release tagged: ‘a communiqué issued by Agba Development Union: a call to action for peace in Ekwulobia’ went memory lane of how the crisis in Ekwulobia started and efforts made at achieving peace and how Igwe Onyeneke truncated the entire peace process.
The release read in part: ‘’The good people and members of Agba Development Union, Ekwulobia, held their mid-year meeting on 29th June, 2019 at the Agba Village hall during which they reflected on the goings on and various issues concerning Agba Village in particular and Ekwulobia town at large, especially issues bordering on the lingering leadership crisis in Ekwulobia town. The people of Agba village painstakingly recalled with nostalgia the last peace efforts made by the Ekwulobia Indigenous/working clergy and religious group.
‘The report of this committee of notable, prominent, and highly revered men of God contained recommendations which if genuinely accepted and acted upon would have been the permanent solution to the totality of all the problems that have bedevilled the Ekwulobia town since the coming into office an mounting to the throne as the traditional ruler and Igwe of Ekwulobia by HRM Igwe Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, Ezejiofor II of Ekwulobia in 2009.

‘The meeting further recalled that when the peace report was presented to all the people of Ekwulobia on the 31st December, 2016, in the presence of Igwe E.C Onyeneke at the Ekwulobia township stadium, it was wholeheartedly and sincerely accepted by all and Sunday as a working document towards the realization of permanent, sustainable and lasting peace in Ekwulobia. The key recommendations in the peace report which was unanimously accepted and instantly put into implementation include;
‘The immediate collapse and dissolution of the two factional town union leadership of Ekwulobia Peoples Assembly, EPA led by Engr. Emeka Madubuchi and the other faction of Ekwulobia Development Union led by Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeike. It is instructive to note that these two factional leaders are natives and members of Agba village, Ekwulobia i.e (Agba Development Union. ADU).
‘The immediate formation of a new interim Executive Committee of Ekwulobia town with 2 (two) representatives was instantly put into effect as all the village consulted amongst their members present as the August assembly and selected two representatives each that constituted the interim Executive Committee.
‘The formation of a 29-member constitution Drafting/Review Committee with the mandate to draft another constitution for Ekwulobia town using the existing 1994 and 2010 constitutions as working documents. Not few were bewildered when Igwe said that he will go back and study the report all Ekwulobia people present have adopted.
‘HRM, Igwe E. C Onyeneke who was physically present witnessed the selection by each of the 9 (nine) villages of the 2 persons each that constituted the 18-man interim Committee.

‘It is mostly regretted that soon after the remarkable event of 31st December, 2016, and while the Ekwulobia community was still enjoying the aura of the recent peace that just arrived in the town, the traditional ruler and Igwe E. C Onyeneke made a U-turn and roundly rejected the peace report of the religious group laying unsubstantiated claims and allegations against the reverend fathers, priests, clergy men and even members of the just constituted interim committee. He successfully frustrated and truncated the peace process and set up a Kangaroo Executive Committee led by Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeike whom he transmuted from a care-taker chairman and transformed into a President General.

‘It is also worthy of note that in one of ADU previous meetings, pastor Ezeike was invited to explain to ADU how he became the PG, he could not offer any meaningful explanation except that he is the President General recognized by Anambra State Government. Amid this crisis, all the entitlements due to Agba from within Ekwulobia and outside Ekwulobia including the ones from the Anambra State/Federal Government are not being accounted for.

‘The Igwe has continued since then to handle the leadership of Ekwulobia town with every sense of high-handedness employing every scheme of divide and rule which has continued to disunite the people and negatively affected the needed development in the town.
‘It must be recalled that since Igwe E.C. Onyeneke mounted the throne (stool) as the traditional ruler and Igwe of Ekwulobia about a decade ago, peace has eluded the town and yet he is neither perturbed nor ever lose his sleep about it.
‘In fact, it is like the Igwe is benefiting from the leadership crisis in the town otherwise this last attempt by the religious group was the 4th in the series of efforts to find peace in Ekwulobia but the Igwe personally truncated them all.' the release concluded.

---ends year with colorful thanksgiving

By Emeka Odogwu and Izunna Okafor



In what has been a remarkable year, Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone and his household on Sunday appreciated God for His interventions and glory in his family.


The Unizik Vice Chancellor, Prof Esimone during the reception of his thanksgiving service held at the women development centre, Awka on Sunday said the family seized the opportunity to show gratitude to God for his infinite mercies and love towards his family.

He added that his trust on God watered the ground for the fulfillment of God's promises which is to use the family as a testimony of his goodness and faithfulness.

Prof. Esimone said 2019 is a successful year for his family which included delivery of quadruplets after years of waiting and appointment as the Vice chancellor of Unizik.

He said that his staying power through the periods of barrenness, pressure, and challenges of life has been his sole trust in the Almighty God.

He said that the Lord's promises were delivered on the platform of patience and trust as can be seen in the biblical stories of Abraham, Job and Jacob.


Esimone, who beat 37 other professors to emerge as the sixth substantive vice-chancellor of the university earlier this year challenged Christians to trust in God at all times and let his purpose and plan happen and not the plan of man. He said that people often interpret delay as denial but God uses that as strategy to plan what will bring glory to His name.

It would be recalled that Prof. Charles Esimone and his wife had their first son in 2015, after 11 years of marriage. Four years after the birth of their first child, they welcomed a set of quadruplets, two boys and two girls.

Elated and filled with joy, Prof Esimone's wife, Dr Mrs Chinyere Esimone, while narrating her miraculous delivery said that she had been barren for 11 years such that people believed she would not deliver a child again until she met a medical doctor and fertility specialist, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu of Life International Hospital, Awka who reassured her that all hope was not dashed that she still stand a chance to deliver.

She said Prof Ikechebelu carried out many scan on her system before 21 fibroids were removed from her womb.

Dr Mrs Esimone of the department of Music, Unizik, said ,“When I went to his hospital, he carried out scan on me, ran several tests. He later told me that I have a lot of fibroids in my body. I didn't know I have fibroid. He advised us to go for surgery which I went and 21 fibroids were removed from my womb. I was told that my womb will take 3 months to heal. After the 3 months, I was advised by my doctor to go for RDS which I did."

Congratulations were in order for the family who earlier held an early morning thanksgiving service at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Awka followed by gifts from dignitaries, friends and well wishers notable of which is the donation of Baby Diapers to a motherless baby home on behalf of the family by Mario and Juliet.


The Church worship peesided over by the Regional Overseer , Deeper Life Bible Church, Awka Region, Professor Godwin Okeke was not without the heavy presence of dignitaries including the Deputy governor of Anambra state, Dr. Nkem Okeke, the two former Vice chancellors of Unizik, Prof. Boniface Egboka and Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, management , staff and students of Unizik , top government officials, Pharmaceutical Council members and other well wishers.

By Emeka Odogwu and Izunna Okafor



Community dwellers in Ogbaru Federal constituency are filled with praises for Hon. Chukwuka Onyema for his sensitization programme geared towards disease eradication and prevention of ailments.

The exercise was seen as a panacea to loss of lives through diseases and poor lifestyle often associated with people in rural areas. Hence, 3 days training exercise was organized by Honorable Chukwuka Onyema, Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representative as one of his constituency projects with the aim to spread health tips to dwellers in the communities

One of the participants, Mrs Anurika Anene said she benefited immensely from the trainings adding that there are many things which she never knew that she has learnt at the training pertaining health and ways to handle cases of diseases and ailments like diabetes, fever, typhoid, malaria, their prevention and controls.

Another participant, Mrs Jacinta Ebizie said that the training is timely and important to the lives of the of the society especially people of Ogbaru. She said many people are ignorant of the need for their health safety but the training has inculcated the knowledge of healthy living to them.


Addressing newsmen at Emmanuel Castle of refuge, Atani where the training was staged, Mr. Malik Ehiede from Nolia Consultant Ltd said that the idea for the 3 days programme was brought up by House member having realized the importance of good health maintenance to the rural dwellers.
The consultant who was a key partner of the exercise said the participants was drawn from the communities in Ogbaru federal constituency and were made up of health workers, teachers, students, farmers with the essence to spread the knowledge to rural dwellers in their various communities.
" Hon. Chukwuka Onyema realized that good health is important for his people to enjoy dividends of democracy hence the environment and communities needs to be hygienic because without it, a sick person has nothing to enjoy.

"When you are healthy, you will enjoy other things and be able to participate in things that concern you. He came up with a series of lectures for his constituency that will focus on teaching the people a better healthy living and better hygienic living."

While many facilitators from Federal medical centers addressed the participants at the training exercise on disease control and healthy living, one of the facilitators to the programme and public health physician, Adesuwa Aigbokhaode, said that the essence of the training was to enlighten the community dwellers in Ogbaru on the infection control and disease prevention adding that it is the apt time the information is passed to people especially now that large population of the people in different communities are coming down with various forms of diseases.


Mr. Osawaru Wilson, a public Health physician in his lecture urged participants to take hand washing serious as it is the commonest way of combating spread of ailments. He stressed on the need for people to learn other ways of preventing ailments in rural communities such as proper waste disposal, environmental sanitation, ability to recognize signs and symptoms of ailments.

Mr. Wilson said that most rural dwellers are ignorant of the main things they are supposed to do concerning their health even as some of them don't know the importance of keeping their environment clean.

Earlier, Mr. Akitikori Moses disclosed that there are common health dangerous vectors that are associated with dirty environments like mosquitoes, bed bugs, flies and advised that people must ensure good care of their environments as well as change their behavioral attitudes towards their environments.

Another facilitator, Mrs Georgia Anaele enjoined the participants to be eye of the doctors in their various communities so as to tackle cases of disease at the early stage. She even advised them to make rapid precaution by running to the hospital whenever they sense or feel abnormality in their body system.