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Tag: Anambra

  • Anambra poll: I will serve a term, says aspirant

    Anambra poll: I will serve a term, says aspirant

    Former Secretary to the Anambra Statee Government Hon. Oseloka Obaze is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, he speaks on his ambition, the PDP crisis and Igbo agitations. 

    What are your chances in the governorship primary of your party?

    We are well known and acknowledged by the people across Anambra State. The grassroots and the elite alike appreciate fully our past service and unfettered commitment to good governance. The electioneering is yet to commence. when we arrive at that juncture, we should be able to showcase a governance platform, which should make us the most credible alternative and leadership choice.

    From which zone will you choose your running mate? Do you already have anyone in mind?

    Inclusive democracy is about consensus and consultations. We will cross the bridge of selecting a running mate when we get there. Be assured that the choice will be very credible and a good governance partner; not a subordinate or in the local parlance a deputy who is just a “spare tire.”

    Do you have confidence that PDP crisis will be settled soon to pave way for the party’s primary and emergence of a flag bearer?

    I’m by nature an optimist; and by training a problem solver and conflict resolution practitioner. But, I’m also a realist. When a conflict is not ripe for resolution, any forced attempt will fail. But, when the cost of collective failure outweighs the cost of individual success, people tend to come around. There is still ample room to rally the forces, and the key PDP players in Anambra are hard at work to find a mutually acceptable solution.

    Are you confident that you will eventually emerge as the flag bearer?

    If you go enter the finals of any competition with your second team or third team you risk losing. If you put forth the best or most qualified and most credible player or candidate, your chances of success becomes greater. Without any disrespect to those who have been “in the party for so many years” as you said: Did they deliver? Did they win? If they did, the party won’t be outside the government now. There is your answer. My hope is that we can rally all party players to a consensus and that the key players especially the recurring aspirants won’t become spoilers.

    The PDP is still in disarray, whither your candidacy should the crisis continues?

    Be kind to save that question and ask me the same on 18thNovember 2017 morning.

    In Anambra North, where you comes from, even the traditional rulers are consistent in saying Obiano is their candidate and he should be returned. what is your take on this?

    You engage in collectivized assertion and attribution. Who are these people? Are they the same people I’m consulting and talking to? Or are they the hirelings that parrot the master’s voice for crumbs off his table. You must understand that we are in a recession. People need to eat; but they do have conscience. Moreover, I’m least perturbed by such utterances, by people who are unconnected with their grassroots and have never secured victory at their respective polling booths. Anyway, politics for me is not and will never be a zero sum game. As our people say, “you count the miles after the race.”

    You served under Obiano, what are you going to correct now that you did not do then?

    Yes, I served well, loyally, honestly and diligently. 1 offered unvarnished advice and counsel. Yet, every leader brings to public office his vision, style and political and leadership DMA. Purposeful leadership is about management style, focus and a full grasp of the imperatives of good governance. If you know how to make institutions function efficiently, that’s half the battle; if you don’t, then you will have to grapple with a dysfunctional government. So it’s not a matter of correction as it is a stylistic and operational. We will offer accountability, cost-efficient optimization of institutions, full adherence to extant laws and due process, and unfettered service delivery all within available resources. We will make grassroots development and the efficacy of our local government and municipal council system the cornerstone of our governance. We will hold local government elections as required by the Constitution.

    The governor has not been using the Government House. What will be your approach when elected? 

    That the primary entrance to the Government House Complex is permanently locked does not mean there is a lockdown. It could be for security reason. It might also be indicative of the low energy and feebleness of government. I don’t know; so you may need to redirect these questions to the State authorities.

    Will you return power to the South District in 2022, if you win the election?

    I certainly will. I have to honour any deal made by our zone or by me in that regard. That is the only way to begin to reshape our politics and dispense with the notion that you can’t trust politicians. Moreover, I’m a student of politics and history; we are witnesses in this country to what happens when deals and promises are not kept. By 2022 Anambra North would have completed eight years; there should be room for others to contest.

    What is your manifesto? Can you share it with us?

    I will unveil my manifesto at the appropriate time. It’s very simple to understand and similarly simple to operationalize. It will deliver good governance in every sense of the word. With it, those in government will work for the people and not for special or vested interests. There will be accountability and transparency in government and we will put our people back to work. I will not disclose the key elements now, since we have noticed that people in the other camps appropriate my policy ideas and policy recommendations without the decency of giving us any credit.

    A new political party, the Advance Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), has just been formed. Where does the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of which you seek to use to actualize your dream stand in all these?

    Party politics is about accommodation and convergence of ideas, more so, where our parties are not ideologically based. The beauty of democracy is pluralism and broad representation. All the fuss about a meagre party fizzled. The registration of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) may yet prove propitious; it has some well-known backers. It if it is sufficiently inclusive will attract broad following, ft will certainly feature prominently in the 2017 elections. The more parties there are, the wider the choices and the stronger our democracy.

    Nigeria is at the cross roads again with the quit notice issued Igbo by Northern Youth Congress. Can this be the rumored prediction that Nigeria will disintegrate?

    I pray that Nigeria does not implode. As a nation, we are conversant with political brinksmanship; but we must not overplay our hands. It’s never wise to play with fire standing next to a tinderbox. It is up to the Nigeria political leadership not to allow the present political rascality to translate into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

    There is so much tension due to sectional agitation. would you subscribe to the Call for a national discourse?

    Nigerians must talk to each other. There is too much grandstanding and triumphalism going on. In the life of any nation, holding national conversations is routine. You don’t wait to arrive to a tipping point before you engage your citizens fully. The ‘Vet’s wait-and-see attitude” could easily backfire. As regards the ongoing agitation, the reality is that Biafra as a word, in spirit or in history will not evaporate. Neither will Nigeria. The demands for restructuring or any of its other synonymous sobriquets boils down to three words and aspirations; equity, fairness and justice. Such goals ought not to be too hard to attain or extended to those who feel aggrieved in any way. Yet we have become so sectional that patriotism and national interest are badly eroded.

  • Commissioner urges increased youth participation in agriculture

    Commissioner urges increased youth participation in agriculture

    The Anambra Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Afam Mbanefo, has advised youths to take advantage of the best training in agronomy practices offered by the ministry to boost food production.

    Mbanefo made the call on Wednesday in Awka while briefing representatives of the Gov. Willie Obiano media team on the achievements of the administration in agriculture so far.

    “With good agronomy practice, vegetable farming can easily net a farmer between N300,000 to N350,000 in six weeks.

    “We are targeting youths for increased food production in 2017; that is why these programmes are organised periodically to sensitise and encourage youth farming, to boost yield in their farms.”

    Mbanefo attributed the launch of the programme to the governor’s desire to alleviate farmers’ low standard of living.

    “Community Farm Development Programme was launched by Gov. Obiano to boost the living standard of farmers in the hinterland and bring development to the grassroots.

    “This will attract youths into agriculture, thereby giving them a source of income which will make youth restiveness and the prevailing poverty in the society a thing of the past,” the commissioner said.

  • APDA backs the call for the restructuring of Nigeria

    APDA backs the call for the restructuring of Nigeria

    The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) has backed the call to restructure Nigeria, saying it will end agitations by ethnic nationalities and youths across the country.

    Interim Chairman of the party in Anambra, Chief Obunike Ohaegbu, said in Nnewi on Tuesday that a united Nigeria that was discussed and restructured would be a better for everyone.

    He urged the Federal Government to address the issues that were giving rise to the tension in the country.

    As panacea, Ohaegbu suggested that the government should make public the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference and allow citizens decide on it.

    “APDA is saying that we need to restructure Nigeria, that if we restructure Nigeria, every Nigerian will have a sense of belonging.

    “We made our stand clear that we want Nigerians to be allowed to vote on the 2014 national conference.

    “Most, if not all the decisions of the conference, were not voted for; they were arrived at with unanimity.

    “So, as a political party, we are thinking that it should be taken to the people to decide what they want to do with it.

    “If we have the system running, people will not be clamouring for Biafra,” he said.

    Ohaegbu said that the Federal Government should also engage the youths who are heating up the polity in peace talks rather than threatening them.

    According to him, this will be more productive than discussing with elders who have little influence over them.

    The APDA chieftain blamed the political elite for the problems of the youth, saying that the elite equipped youths with i-pads and smart phones “to insult each other while they wined and dined, leaving the youth frustrated”.

    On the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra, he said that the party was ready to take over power from the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Ohaegbu said that Anambra people deserved more from what they were getting from APGA government under Gov. Willie Obiano, adding that they could not continue to see government run with propaganda.

    He said that APGA should no longer use the face of late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu as its logo, adding that it was an insult to him and the Igbo nation.

    “What is it that APGA has done? It has gone to the point that as Ndi-Igbo, we need to come out and be firm that our leader, Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu should not be a logo of any political party.

    “It has to stop. Every APGA billboard you see in Anambra as we speak today has the picture of Ojukwu. Is he the logo of APGA?

    “Ojukwu belongs to Ndi-Igbo; it is an insult for any political party to use Ojukwu as its logo,” he said.

    Ohaegbu urged the electorate in the state and the entire country to endeavour to take part in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

  • FRSC to enforce emotional, mental evaluation of traffic offenders

    FRSC to enforce emotional, mental evaluation of traffic offenders

    Mr. Kehinde Adeleye, the Zonal Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS5, Benin, says the organisation will enforce emotional and mental evaluation of traffic offenders.

    Adeleye made the assertion during his second quarter inspection of the Anambra Command Headquarters in Awka on Wednesday.

    The zonal commander said the FRSC would carry out the tests to check offenders’ level of stability.

    He advised motorists in the zone to change their attitude and avoid being caught in the web of the new policy.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that RS5, Benin comprises Anambra, Delta and Edo states.

    Adeleye said the enforcement of the new traffic management policy would be comprehensive, adding that it had become expedient to check recklessness and enhance safety.

    The zonal commander said that so many lives had been lost on the highways, noting that some of the offences that would attract tests include use of phones, route violation and speeding.

    Adeleye, however, said that there was improvement on some of FRSC’s activities in the second quarter of 2016, adding that the corps should not relent in its efforts.

    “The FRSC has come up with a project to address the anomalies in the behaviour of road users; people using phone while driving and people engaging in excessive speeding.

    “It will also address those who fail to install speed limiter in their vehicles and people who drive against traffic.

    “With the good roads and no gridlock, we observe that people still chose to drive against traffic,” the zonal commander said.

    “Motorists caught committing these offences will be subjected to emotional and mental evaluation to check their level of stability and we are going to enforce that seriously.

    “I am using this opportunity to appeal to road users to be conscious of their safety and do everything possible to promote their safety.

    “Across the zone, there has been tremendous improvement over the first quarter in the areas of enforcement, public enlightenment and stakeholders’ engagement.”

    According to him, our response time to crash scenes has also improved to about five to six minutes.

    Adeleye commended the Anambra Command of the FRSC, headed by Mr. Sunday Ajayi, for a good job in keeping the corridor safe.

    He also thanked the state government for donating three motorcycles to the command to enhance its operations.

    “The Anambra Government came to our aid with three motorcycles to enhance our patrol monitoring; and we intend to monitor the whole routes,” he said.

    Contributing, Ajayi said the visit of the zonal commander was re-energising and would motivate them to do more for the safety of the people.

    “We cannot assess ourselves. The important thing is that we have not lost track in our duty to reduce crash and death.

    “The zonal commander is here to evaluate the situation in Anambra and with his coming we have been directed again on what to do.

    “We shall leverage on that to ensure that roads in Anambra become the safest in Nigeria,”

  • ‘FG should compel children of public office holders to study in Nigeria’

    ‘FG should compel children of public office holders to study in Nigeria’

    For the Nigerian educational sector to receive a major boost from policy makers, the 40th Miss Nigeria, Chioma Obiadi, has advised the Federal Government  to  compel public office holders to ensure their children attend schools in Nigeria.

    Obiadi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos when she led the Miss Nigeria Organisation on a visit that such a policy would reduce the decadence in the nation’s educational sector.

    She said that when children of public and political office holders attend schools in the country, they would be able to feed their parents back on whether such schools were experiencing deficit in teaching and learning infrastructure or adequately equipped with modern teaching aids.

    The beauty queen advised that the Federal Government should formulate a policy that would ban government officials from sending their children abroad for study.

    “If this law is enacted, it will have a profound effect in terms of development in our educational sector.

    “ Top government officials send their children abroad to get educated because those schools are well equipped and parade high standard of education.

    “If such Nigerians send their children abroad, then they will be less concerned about whatever is going on in the educational sector in the country since they are not directly affected.

    “However, if their children attend Nigerian schools, they will be concerned with the standard of education and make efforts to improve it,” she said.

    The reigning queen said that she was concerned with the need to have improved teaching and learning infrastructure in schools across the country.

    She said that the meteorological station of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra, where she is a student at present was suffering from deficit in infrastructure.

    “I am a 300-level student of the Department of Geography and Meteorology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the meteorology station in my school is not functioning.

    “This is depriving us, the students, the opportunity to receive better knowledge of how meteorology can be deployed in interpreting and understanding weather conditions.

    “If a child of a minister or a highly laced government official were in the same department with me, probably, efforts will be made to ensure that this facility functions,” she said.

    The beauty queen canvassed an improved quality of education for both the children of the rich and the poor because education is important in the development of any nation and its people.

  • Arms smuggling in Nnewi untrue – Anambra CP

    Arms smuggling in Nnewi untrue – Anambra CP

    The Anambra Police Command has described as ‘untrue’ media reports stating the discovery of arms and ammunition in an articulated vehicle that conveyed yam tubers into Nnewi on June 12.

    The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Mr Sam Okaula told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Sunday in Awka that nothing of the sort occurred.

    “What actually happened was that on June 12, a member of vigilance operative went to a pit somewhere in Uruagu, Nnewi, and dug out two rusted old magazines and few ammunition.

    “The vigilante operative drew the attention of the President-General of the community, Mr Charles Nwonye, who ultimately informed the police and I directed the officer in charge of SARS, Awkuzu to recover the items.

    “We are surprised that a senseless story is making the round that large cache of ammunition was discovered in a lorry that conveyed yam tubers into the community to cause mayhem.

    “There is nothing of the sort that happened in this command.

    “it is falsehood at its height and we begin to wonder who is peddling this type of senseless rumour,” the police boss said.

    Okaula also said no one was apprehended as speculated in the rumoured story of arms smuggling, describing it as “false in its entirety.”

    He urged the public, especially those residing in Nnewi, to go about their lawful duty and report information that may lead to the arrest of criminals rather than create tension with false reports.

    Corroborating Okaula, Mr Charles Nwonye, the President-General of Uruagu, said the local security operatives reported that two magazines and ammunition were recovered from where they were buried in the community.

    According to him, the items were recovered near a cave after a scavenger brought the information to the security operative and we contacted the police to investigate the matter.

    Nwonye, who was present when Okaula spoke with NAN, also wondered why people would escalate the discovery into saying it was arms smuggle to destabilise the community.

    “I don’t know where they got the story because there was no scene of a truck where yam was off-loaded and arms were discovered,” the community leader added.

    Mr Chibueze Okonkwo, the Vigilante Commander at Uruagu, said the media reports were false and that the discovery was nothing to cause tension in the community and the state at large.

  • Anambra: Uba vows to unseat Obiano

    Anambra: Uba vows to unseat Obiano

    Senator Andy Uba (Anambra West) has vowed to defeat incumbent governor Willie Obiano in the November 2017 governorship election in the state.

    Uba, a gubernatorial aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) told his supporters during a sensitization tour of the local government areas that Obiano’s time in Government House is fast coming to an end.

    Uba expressed confidence that he will clinch the party’s ticket in the primaries.

    “Anambra state needs someone like me who has resources and connection to turn things around and bring federal presence, employment and infrastructure to the state”, he said.

    He assured the leadership of the party in the state of his maximum support and assistance that will enable them carry out their various duties.

    He said that he had exemplified his commitment to the state with the donation of 24 vehicles to all the local government areas in the state, party chairmen and bags of rice with cash support to party faithful.

    At the Onitsha North local government, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Linda Ikpeazu, asked the people to give maximum support to Senator Uba.

    She described the senator as determined and generous representative, recalling how he attracted employment to Anambra indigenes during the Obasanjo administration.

    At Ogidi, Idemili North Local government area and Ojoto Idemili South local government area, the governorship aspirant pledged that his administration will be all inclusive, devoid of discrimination and marginalization for the benefit of all.

    In his vote of thanks, the zonal leader of the party in Anambra North senatorial zone assured Uba of maximum support during the primary election.

    He expressed confidence that the senator would emerge at the primary election and go on to win the governorship election.

    The local governments visited are, Anambra West, Anambra East, Oyi and Anaocha local government areas. Other local governments visited are Idemili North and South local governments and Onitsha North and South.

     

  • Anambra: Uba vows to unseat Obiano

    Anambra: Uba vows to unseat Obiano

    Senator Andy Uba (Anambra West) has vowed to defeat incumbent governor Willie Obiano in the November 2017 governorship election in the state.

    Uba, a gubernatorial aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) told his supporters during a sensitization tour of the local government areas that Obiano’s time in Government House is fast coming to an end.

    Uba expressed confidence that he will clinch the party’s ticket in the primaries.

    “Anambra state needs someone like me who has resources and connection to turn things around and bring federal presence, employment and infrastructure to the state”, he said.

    He assured the leadership of the party in the state of his maximum support and assistance that will enable them carry out their various duties.

    He said that he had exemplified his commitment to the state with the donation of 24 vehicles to all the local government areas in the state, party chairmen and bags of rice with cash support to party faithfuls.

    At the Onitsha North local government a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Linda Ikpeazu, asked the people to give maximum support to Senator Uba.

    She described the senator as determined and generous representative, recalling how he attracted employment to Anambra indigenes during the Obasanjo administration.

    At Ogidi, Idemili North Local government area and Ojoto Idemili South local government area, the governorship aspirant pledged that his administration will be all inclusive, devoid of discrimination and marginalization for the benefit of all.

    In his vote of thanks, the zonal leader of the party in Anambra North senatorial zone assured Uba of maximum support during the primary election.

    He expressed confidence that the senator would emerge at the primary election and go on to win the governorship election.

    The local governments visited are, Anambra West, Anambra East, Oyi and Anaocha local government areas. Other local governments visited are Idemili North and South local governments and Onitsha North and South.

     

  • How APC can win Anambra, by Nwike

    How APC can win Anambra, by Nwike

    Bufo Nwike is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State. He is the younger brother of former Deputy Governor Chuddy Nwike. In this interview with reporters in Lagos, the governorship aspirant speaks on his ambition, the chances of the APC in the November 18 election, the Biafra agitation and other partisan issues.

    Three year ago, you abandoned your governorship bid half way and fled the country. What happened?

    I nursed the ambition to contest for the Anambra governorship, but I was devastated following the kidnap and subsequent killing of my elder brother, Chuddy Nwike, who was the Deputy Governor to former Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife, in the era of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was murdered by his abductors after ransom had been paid. It was so devastating that I had to leave the country. For a whole year, I could not relate with anybody, because I was most of the time absent-minded. I would just be staring at the space, oblivious of things around me. It took God’s grace, prayers from friends and support from the family for me to return back to life. The tension and the insecurity occasioned by the event compelled me to abandon my aspiration and flee abroad. I moved to Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland, with my family to continue my medical practice.

    What is the situation at home now?

    With the grace of God, Who is the ultimate provider of security, things have improved considerably, security wise. Though I’ve lived in Ireland in the last three years, I have always been in contact with my people at the grassroots. I have been keeping abreast of goings on at home. So, even with my sojourn abroad, I have always been in contact with my good people who are now yearning to see me contest to serve them as governor.

    How would you assess your chances at the primary?

    Without sounding immodest, I can tell you that my chances of being the party’s choice are very bright. I believe the leadership of our great party would look at the programmes each aspirant intends to present to the people and decide who would be a better candidate. It is about programmes and not about personality. I am not rich in terms of liquid cash, but I am rich in ideas. I am a civil servant and my source of income can be verified. It is the people that would assess us and ask questions about how some people came about their sudden wealth. People would ask them about their investments both at home and abroad and if they are using their money to create jobs at home. If our monies stashed away are brought back, it is capable of bailing this country out of recession. We are in the race to market ourselves for the people to assess. But, I can tell you without sense of contradiction that I am eminently qualified to govern Anambra State.

    Can the APC defeat APGA?

    People are disenchanted with the governor’s false claims of achievements. They want concrete achievements; all we are witnessing now is noise, with nothing concrete on the ground to show for it. It is our programmes against theirs. This is the time to separate the substance from the chaff. People will, on their own, make the assessment and judge. The APC has come to deal with the rot, which is a carryover from the military era. But, it is not easy. President Muhammadu Buhari is doing his best with what he met on ground and his Vice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, is also toeing his path. Based on the assessment of credit rating agencies, we are confident that Nigeria, under Buhari, is on the right track. Our economy is in safe hands. We have to swallow the bitter pills for now to get it right. So, with the right candidate, the APC will beat APGA in Anambra hands down.

    Could you give an insight into your programmes for the people?

    To start with, our slogan will be, ‘New Say, New Voice, New Ideas’. We will do away with the old ideas that have failed to move the state forward and replace them with new ideas that will ensure growth, progress and massive development of the state. I admit that the paucity of fund can hinder anybody’s performance, but the government under my leadership will engage in Private Public Partnership (PPP) to make funds available. We will involve the communities in our day-to-day activities. Their full involvement and participation in government would rekindle their trust in my leadership and thus give them a sense of belonging. This will surely enhance commitment, dedication and patriotism on the side of the people. We will not behave as an all-knowing government that would choose projects and execute them for the people without their input. People will identify their needs and the government will implement it for them.

    However, there would be emphasis on education. With availability of funds, we will borrow a leaf from the free education policy of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the old Western Region. His advisers thought free education was not possible. But, Awo the legend proved them wrong, by showing them that where there is a will, there will always be a way. We will make education very compulsory and free up to the Junior Secondary School (JSS) level, as it obtains in many countries in Europe. We will also emphasise vocational/technical studies which is the education of the heads and the hands or call it perpendicular education.

    What’s your comment about the Biafra agitation?

    Inequity in the polity caused the renewed agitation for the state of Biafra. The agitation could not have arisen if the recommendations of the 2014 National Confab had been implemented. The recommendations were meant to address the inequity in the polity and the agitations would have died down. True fiscal federalism as recommended by the confab delegates is the only panacea to the clamour for the State of Biafra. I recommend negotiation and dialogue. Politics or governance is all about negotiation and compromise — give and take. Zik, Awo and Sadauna practised politics of compromise. You don’t send people away. Listen to their cries to see what could be done to assuage their feelings.

    In the real sense, if the confab recommendations are not left to gather dust; if some components like restructuring that would allow all the regions to develop at their own pace had been implemented, the agitation would have died a natural death. It would have given the agitators a real sense of belonging. But because of the inequity in the polity, some people feel they are not part of the country they call their own. That is why I love and recommend the speech of the Ohanaeze leader, Chief John Nwodo’s speech to all Nigerians to read. I agree with the message he passed across to other zones; it is a message of wisdom, truth and hope.

  • Anambra community gets monarch, 21 years after

    Umueri community in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State has celebrated its new traditional ruler 21 years after its monarchy was in the cold. The community went wild with jubilation at the installation of Igwe Benneth Emeka, after the demise of the late traditional of the community, Igwe Nelson Okoye over two decades ago.

    The market square was filled with enchanted residents as the drums and songs conveyed the community’s joy.

    Unlike political positions which constitutionally have fixed tenures, the monarch leads the town as long as he lives.

    At about 11am, residents of the area were already in the open market square billed to host the event. They defied the harsh sun to cast their votes. Eventually the new monarch ascended the throne unchallenged.

    While some of them jostled for every available leaf that could provide a shade over their heads, some observers stood in the scorching sun and intermittently wiped sweat with their handkerchiefs.

    The state government delegation was led by the Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ikechukwu Muoedu.

    First to speak at the venue was the Vice-Chairman of Igwe Selection Committee of Umueri, Elder Samuel Anakputali Umeadi, a lawyer. One after the other, he explained on every step taken by the committee for a successful installation.

    He said that one of the two candidates gunning for the exalted throne was disqualified on the grounds of not meeting up with the stipulated requirements.

    As if it was the people’s prayers and wish, the mentioning of Chief (Sir) Benneth Emeka as the qualified candidate sent a wave of jubilation into the crowd.

    When the monarch appeared, there was tumultuous applause, singing, dancing, and shouting of Igwe! Igwe! Igwe! And with the singing and dancing, they led him round to greet his subjects.

    The President-General of the town, Chief Pius Okonkwo, said that the 52-member Igweship Screening and Selection Committee set up by the town union disqualified Mr Jonny Metchie on the grounds of not meeting with the stipulated requirements.

    Speaking with The Nation, Hon. Muoedu expressed satisfaction with the process of selecting the new traditional ruler.

    “I am satisfied with the conduct, it is obvious that the new Igwe is the people’s choice,” said Muoedu.

    At Ama-ajaegwu Altar in Umuatugolu village, Umueri, the elders were already seated to welcome their son after making him the monarch.

    The Altar also serves as the customary court of the community. The eldest man in the village, Mr Benjamin Nwakwudo, who currently presides over the altar, blessed the new king.

    Again, the Igweship train moved to Ama Umueri for the crowning of Chief (Sir) Benneth Emeka as the traditional ruler of Umueri community. The 30th Onowu of the town, Chief Mike Ekweonu, exercised the task as it was customary in the area.

    Speaking with The Nation, the new monarch, Igwe (Sir) Benneth Emeka, said that restoring the lost glory of the people was top in his priorities.

    “I thank you for choosing me as your leader. I will use my position to foster unity among Umueri people and their neighbours”

    “You know this area is volatile. We’ve been known for our communal war between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam. But with my position, there will be no more war between my people and these communities”

    “My ascendency to the throne was for a purpose designed by God. It is to bring Umueri closer to Christ; to liberate Umueri from devilish acts and idolatry that they have been indulged in” Igwe Emeka said.

    One of the daughters of the community, Prof. (Mrs) Ogugua Ikpeze, from the Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka who attended the crowning ceremony said that the emergence of the new king was divine.