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Tag: Soludo

  • Widow begs Soludo to help recover late husband’s property from in-laws

    Widow begs Soludo to help recover late husband’s property from in-laws

    • Police arrest suspects

    A 37-year-old widow, Chinenye Okonkwo, has cried out for help over alleged oppression by brothers to her late husband in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State.

    The widow accused her in-laws of taking over properties her late husband left for her, including land, building and blocks, leaving her and her five children, a boy and four girls aged between six and 14 years, homeless.

    Speaking to reporters yesterday, the victim said both Umuodilogu village kindred and the widows’ organisation she belonged to had tried to settle the matter but to no avail.

    She said: “Before my husband died in 2017 at the age of 45, he showed me the boundary of his land. He also moulded blocks for a 4-bedroom flat.

    “Trouble ensued when one of them started encroaching on the land and carrying the entire blocks my husband moulded to build his own house. He also cleared all my plantains.

    “When I accosted him about the blocks, he said since I was not ready to build, he would carry them and mould another set of blocks for me when I am ready.

    “He also brought the police who arrested my brother for defending me; though he was later released after being bailed.

    “His elder brother, a pastor, sent me away, asking me to go and look for who else would marry me. I’m still tender. He said they would consider my children when they are grown. They even threatened to kill me if they saw me in the compound.

    “I tried to get revenge but my brother withheld me. I had to rent an apartment where I’m currently staying with my kids. I’m struggling to pay both house rent and children’s school fees.

    “I took the matter to the widows’ organisation and the leadership took the matter to my kindred, asking them to leave the property for me. But instead, they accused anyone speaking on my behalf of sleeping with me.”

    Also speaking, the leader of the widows’ organisation, Mrs Ogechi Izuka, said they reported the matter to the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Awka, and the culprits had been served papers.

    Read Also: Soludo reinstates suspended monarch

    “Unfortunately, our NGO does not have the right to interfere in family affairs. There is a limit we can go. We can only resort to protest or demonstration if the matter is life threatening.

    “We want both the government and members of the public to intervene to serve as a deterrent to others who may be planning similar actions on other widows. We want this to be the last,” she said.

    Chairman, Umuodilogu kindred, Mr Francis Okafor, said they frowned and strongly condemned actions of the widow’s brother-in-law.

    He said the accused persons are currently in police custody following a fight in which some people sustained injuries.

    “We have been trying to amicably resolve the matter in-house, but it escalated when one of them and his team resorted to violence, the first of its kind in our kindred.

    “They even threatened to kill one of our kinsmen for defending the widow,” he said.

    Confirming the suspect’s arrest, Police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga said police were about to conclude investigation before being arraigned.

  • Soludo reinstates suspended monarch

    Soludo reinstates suspended monarch

    • Governor reconciles with Obi of Onitsha

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has reconciled with the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, over their battle involving traditional rulers.

    As a result, the governor has reinstated the suspended traditional ruler of Neni in Anaocha Local Government, Igwe Damian Ezeani.

    The monarch, among others, was alleged to have conferred unauthorised chieftaincy titles on some persons, especially Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, who has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ubah was said to be preparing to challenge Soludo for the governorship next year.

    Following the suspension and other issues, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, wrote a letter, condemning Soludo and his commissioner, saying they had no regard for traditional institution.

    But in a statement in Awka yesterday, the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime, said the governor had reinstated the suspended Neni monarch and forgiven two others of their infractions.

    Read Also: Soludo reconciles with Obi of Onitsha, reinstates suspended monarch

    He said the governor forgave the traditional rulers’ trespasses in a meeting attended by no fewer than 94 monarchs.

    The meeting, according to Aburime, was held at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, in Awka South Local Government.

    Aburime said while the traditional ruler of Neni, Igwe Ezeani, was reinstated, those of Ojoto and Aguluezechukwu were forgiven of their infractions, following their apologies.

    He said the governor also addressed some of the welfare of the monarchs.

    Aburime said: “The governor magnanimously addressed some of their welfare.

    “He clarified the legal status of the Igwe Nawfia as advised by his legal team.

    “The Obi of Onitsha and Igwe Ojoto passed the votes of thanks and asked for regular meetings with Governor Soludo, which he agreed to hold at least twice in a year.

    “The meeting ended on a high note, with the traditional leaders having photo sessions with Governor Soludo.”

  • Soludo reconciles with Obi of Onitsha, reinstates suspended monarch

    Soludo reconciles with Obi of Onitsha, reinstates suspended monarch

    Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo has reconciled with the Obi of Onitsha Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe after a spat over traditional rulers. 

    The Governor reinstated the suspended traditional ruler of Neni in Anaocha local government area, Igwe Damian Ezeani. 

    The monarch, among others, were alleged to have conferred  unauthorised  chieftaincy titles on some persons, especially Senator  Ifeanyi Ubah, who joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

    Ubah is believed to be preparing to challenge Soludo for the governorship seat in 2025

    Following the suspension and other issues, Igwe Achebe wrote a long letter, condemning Soludo, accusing him of having no regard for traditional institution in the State. 

    But in a statement in Awka on wednesday, the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, said Soludo reinstated the suspended Neni monarch and forgave two others for their alleged infractions.

    He said  the Governor forgave the traditional rulers’ trespasses in a meeting attended by no fewer than 94 monarchs.

    Read Also: Why we won’t back Soludo for second term, by stakeholders

    The meeting, according to Aburime,  held  at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area. 

    Aburime said while Igwe Ezeani was reinstated, the monarchs of Ojoto and Aguluezechukwu  were forgiven after apologies .

    Aburime said the Governor also addressed some of the welfare issues of the monarchs.

    According to him: “The Governor announced that with the apologies of the affected Traditional Rulers, the State government accepts their apologies, and subsequently reinstates the Traditional Ruler of Neni, and forgive the Traditional Rulers of Ojoto  and Aguluezechukwu. 

    “Mr Governor further clarified the legal status of the Igwe Nawfia as advised by his legal team.

    “As part of the vote of thanks, both the Obi of Onitsha and Igwe Ojoto passed the votes of thanks and requested for regular meetings with Mr Governor which Mr Governor graciously accepted to hold at least twice a year.

    “The meeting ended on a high note with the traditional leaders having photo sessions with Mr Governor “

  • Why we won’t back Soludo for second term, by stakeholders

    Why we won’t back Soludo for second term, by stakeholders

    As 2025 governorship election in Anambra State draws near, the second term for Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is under threat, as stakeholders say he won’t win. 

    Instead, they have started drumming up support for two persons, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Victor Umeh of the Labour Party (LP). 

    They accused Soludo of being “Mr. know all and master of none,” saying within his almost two years as governor of Anambra State, he has impoverished the widows, professionals, traders and the masses with outrageous taxes and destruction of their properties.

    Read Also: Soludo clears N1.2m exam fees of 54 prison inmates

    The stakeholders also said the governor had picked what they termed avoidable fights with the traditional rulers, including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and leaders of churches. 

    Speaking with The Nation at the weekend, one of the stakeholders, Chief Charles Okeke, said his meeting with top Anambra people in Lagos a few days would be in vain because his (Soludo’s) fate had already been decided. 

    “You cannot come and start destroying what took the state ages to build because you pride yourself as all knowing when you are not God. The people and God are angry with him,” he added. 

  • Soludo clears N1.2m exam fees of 54 prison inmates

    Soludo clears N1.2m exam fees of 54 prison inmates

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has paid the exam fees for 54 candidates of the Onitsha Custodial Centre of the Correctional Services, who sat for the NABTEB GCE and Technical Examinations.

    Handing over the cheque of N1, 220, 000 for the candidates, Commissioner for Education Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh said the gesture was in keeping with Soludo’s resolve to make better citizens out of the inmates after service.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze, Soludo, Moghalu felicitate ex-Commonwealth Secretary at 91

    “This gesture is in fulfilment of Governor Soludo’s promise to ensure the inmates leave the facility as better citizens,” she said.

    The commissioner advised the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the opportunity provided to improve their lot.

    Controller of Corrections, Anambra State Command, Usifo Ehimeme, thanked the governor for the material and financial donations to the centre.

  • Ohanaeze, Soludo, Moghalu felicitate ex-Commonwealth Secretary at 91

    Ohanaeze, Soludo, Moghalu felicitate ex-Commonwealth Secretary at 91

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and erstwhile Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, have felicitated a former Secretary-General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on yesterday’s celebration of his 91st birthday.

    In a statement in Enugu through the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Alex Ogbonna, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, described Anyaoku as a respected global icon, an extraordinary diplomat, and a prudent negotiator.

    The Ohanaeze leader recalled when Chief Anyaoku was elected as the third Commonwealth Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Kuala Lumpur on October 24, 1989.

    “By the reason of that election, Anyaoku became the first black man ever to fully head a major international organisation.

    “He served the body with an uncommon competence, adroitness, elegance and panache.

    Read Also: Soludo clears N1.2m exam fees of 54 Onitsha prison inmates

    “Thus, Anyaoku was re-elected at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Limasso, Cyprus, in 1994, for a second five-year term, beginning on 1 April 1995,” Iwuanyanwu said.

    Also, Soludo, who spoke at the inauguration of the Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku Foundation Centre, stressed the essence of celebrating heroes while they are still alive.

    The governor highlighted his commitment to recognising “Anambra champions” and providing them with well-deserved appreciation.

    He expressed his admiration for Chief Anyaoku’s impactful life, which he said has been dedicated to public service and humanity.

    Soludo applauded the creation of the centre as a place for learning and cultural preservation.

    Moghalu, who noted that Anyaoku represents the best of a “tragically vanishing breed” in the country, praised him for being a gentleman of honour, a man of strong character and values, a man whose impact in the world and at home remains an inspiration to millions including himself.

    “I am fortunate to have benefited, frequently, from his wise counsel and encouragement, in my own endeavours internationally and at home in Nigeria,” he added.

    The erstwhile CBN chief also congratulated Chief Anyaoku on the inauguration of his legacy project, the Emeka & Bunmi Anyaoku Library built by the Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku Foundation Centre.

  • Soludo running scared?

    Soludo running scared?

    Is Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo running scared?  Or is it just stage one of near-term end paranoia? 

    Whatever it is, his slugfest with Anambra traditional rulers, as reported in The Nation of January 18, isn’t looking pretty — all the uglier because Soludo appears getting the jitters over Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, a putative opponent in Anambra’s next gubernatorial election.

    Nothing cuts deeper than Soludo’s rebuke, by Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Ontisha, for what the royal father called the denigration of Anambra’s traditional institution, on account of Ubah’s Yuletide chieftaincies.

    “Without providing evidence for your sweeping statement about trading chieftaincy titles for money,” the Obi of Onitsha thundered, in a letter to Soludo’s commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Collins Nwabunwanne, “you … indicted the entire traditional institution in the state,” though the Obi admitted the one that first drew Soludo’s ire was well-neigh an impostor — a non-member of the native rulers’ council.

    But Igwe Achebe didn’t hee-haw on the Soludo government’s disparaging tone on Ubah: “Your reference to a second-term distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as ‘one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’ is most disrespectful, offensive, and unbecoming of one holding a political office as commissioner,” went the ringing royal reprimand.  So long for rude officialese trumping the etiquette of public communication!

    Read Also: Soludo clears N1.2m exam fees of 54 Onitsha prison inmates

    Senator Ubah, his reported gubernatorial dreams and his defection to APC, from his Young People’s Party (YPP) platform, to probably actualize his dreams, would appear the casus-belli for all the excitement in the Soludo camp.

    For starters, the Soludo government has muscled three other traditional rulers that honoured Ubah during the last Yuletide into withdrawing the titles.

    “The monarchs have respectively apologized to the Anambra State government and withdrawn and cancelled the phantom chieftaincy titles …” crowed Chistian Aburime, Soludo’s chief press secretary, in glorious officialese, “consequently, the titles of “Ikemba Ojoto”, “Odenjiinji Neni” and “Dike Eje Ogu” earlier bestowed on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah have been withdrawn and cancelled by the three Igwes.”

    Still, does that single act portray the Soludo government as strong?  On the contrary.  It projects the government as a bully and miserable wimp, scared of own shadows!

    Soludo had better face his gubernatorial duties; and rededicate himself to working for his Anambra people, instead of running scared on phantom — that word again! — distractions!

    If Soludo does a solid first-term job, it might not matter how many titles Ubah took.  Or does the former CBN governor now realize solid theorizing doesn’t equate solid governance?

  • Soludo clears N1.2m exam fees of 54 Onitsha prison inmates

    Soludo clears N1.2m exam fees of 54 Onitsha prison inmates

    Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has paid the examination fees for candidates of the Onitsha custodial centre of the Correctional Services, who sat for the NABTEB GCE and Technical examinations.

    Handing over the cheque of N1,220,000 for the 54 candidates, the education commissioner, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, pointed out that the gesture was in keeping with Soludo’s resolve to make better citizens out of the inmates after service.

    Read Also: Obi of Onitsha tackles Soludo for suspending monarch

    She said: “This gesture is in fulfillment of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s promise to ensure that the inmates of the centre left the facility better citizens than they joined.”

    The commissioner enjoined the beneficiaries to make maximum use is the opportunity provided to better their lots.

    Earlier, Controller of Corrections Services, Anambra State Command, Usifo Ehimeme appreciated the governor for the material and financial donations to the Onitsha Custodial Centre. 

  • Monarch’s apology to Soludo coerced, APC alleges

    Monarch’s apology to Soludo coerced, APC alleges

    The Anambra state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as scandalous the way and manner the Igwe Damian Onwuamaeze Ezeani (Igwe Neni) was coerced to tender an apology to the state government over an infraction committed by the traditional ruler.

    While addressing some group of journalists, the Zonal Publicity Secretary of APC in Anambra Central, Igboeli Arinze Napoleon, said the purported apology by the monarch smacked of disrespect for all traditional rulers and institutions. 

    Napoleon, who assured that the APC will restore pride and accord all traditional rulers and institutions the utmost respect, said the embattled monarch was allegedly coerced through threats made by the APGA-led administration to the Igwe.

    According to him, the apology by Igwe Neni, Igwe Damian Onwuamaeze Ezeani was received via threats which would force Ndi Anambra to cringe if its details were eventually made known.

    Read Also; Outrage as kidnappers kill one of six siblings abducted in Abuja

    It urged Ndi Anambra to ignore the apology and expect that the APC as a party would respect its traditional institutions and accord them with the utmost respect when the party comes to power in 2025.

    In the statement which reads in part, Napoleon said, “We are now at a point where nothing is sacred in Anambra, not our traditional institutions nor our religious places of worship, all are now being assaulted by this administration which has shown no regard for Ndi Anambra.

    “The Soludo government asides from failing to protect Ndi Anambra and improve upon the human indices and in the face of his growing unpopularity has chosen to bully our traditional monarchs, the selective punishment of Igwe Ezeani for conferring a title on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was decried by all but rather than budge and thread with caution, the government went ahead to issue all sorts of threats to Igwe Neni and its people resulting in the crude extraction of an apology!

    “Ndi Anambra, while we will not begrudge Igwe Neni for his peaceful approach to such wanton provocation, we urge you all to ignore the forced apology and endure this Pharaoh. We promise as true children of Anambra that come 2025 when the APC is elected in the forthcoming guber elections for the state that we will restore pride to and treat our traditional institutions with the utmost respect.”

  • Knocks, kudos for Soludo on crisis trailing conferment of titles

    Knocks, kudos for Soludo on crisis trailing conferment of titles

    Mixed reactions have trailed the suspension of a traditional ruler of an Anambra community and threat to others by the state government over the conferment of chieftaincy titles on some individuals during the Yuletide.

    Residents who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in interviews yesterday blamed the traditional rulers for their woes, while others said the government was overbearing.

    NAN reports that the Anambra government on January 8, through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, suspended Igwe Damian Ezeani of Neni community for conferring chieftaincy title on Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah.

    The government, which accused the traditional ruler of not complying with the provisions of Traditional Ruler Code of Conduct (2020), also threatened to sanction those who abused the process.

    Mr Sam Okeke, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said if there was a law which said the state should know about any conferment of chieftaincy titles, the government was right in its actions.

    Okeke, however, said it was unfortunate that such a law existed in the first place because it was the prerogative of traditional rulers to decide who to confer titles on and that it should not be a matter for the government.

    He described as a jamboree, a situation where traditional rulers conferred titles on as many as 30 persons on one occasion without clear criteria or proof of how the beneficiary impacted the welfare of the people and infrastructure development of the community.

    According to him, “I do not think it is fair to dethrone or suspend a traditional ruler for conferring chieftaincy titles on people, it amounts to restricting their rights and privileges.

    “The law cannot be actually very justifiable, it actually should not be there in the first place because it affects their image natively,” he said.

    Okeke, an international lawyer, said the behaviour of some of the traditional rulers was controversial and that some of them had compromised their stool by being politically-inclined.

    He said the abuse of the traditional institution was perpetrated mostly by those who were supported by the government to ascend the throne, adding that when they yielded to be candidates of government, abuse is inevitable.

    Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, founder of Ogilisi Foundation, an Igbo sociocultural organisation, said traditional rulers deserved better treatment in the hands of the government for the collective image of Igbo people.

    Ezeonwuka said although some traditional rulers erred in their actions, they should not be sacked as students in a classroom as had been the case in recent time, but the government should instead set up a panel of inquiry.

    He said it was reprehensible for any traditional ruler to confer chieftaincy title for personal interest and monetary gains, but anyone who had contributed to the development of his community was entitled to a chieftaincy title.

    Ogilisi, as he is popularly called, said traditional rulers could as well use such gestures to attract individuals who could execute development projects in the communities.

    According to him, it should not have been the case but because the traditional institution has been made to become part of the government, where the government pays the piper, they should dictate the tune.

    “Government gives them vehicles, pays them salaries, they depend on the government so they should be under government control.

    “They should have set up an inquiry made up of people with good knowledge of tradition, not politicians. These people will look at the issues and advise the government appropriately and help the government play safe.

    “The threat and sack of Igbo traditional rulers is not good for the dignity of the stools and image of the people,” he said.

    On their part, the Ikemba Front, a political pressure group, said singling out a traditional ruler for conferring a chieftaincy title on Ubah, who had indicated interest to contest the 2025 governorship election, was a show of political desperation by Soludo.

    Read Also: Tinubu emphasises need to revitalize steel sector for economic growth

    Mr Arinze Awogu, the National Coordinator of the group, condemned what he called “selective justice” meted out to Igwe Ezeani and by extension Ubah.

    According to the group, no fewer than 177 eminent personalities were conferred with varying chieftaincy titles during the yuletide and new year celebrations by no fewer than 21 highly revered traditional rulers across Anambra.

    “We wondered why Igwe Damian Ezeani should be singled out for vilification and witch hunting

    “We challenge the government to publish clearance letters issued in favour of all  the recipients of chieftaincy titles,  showing that they complied with *Section 2 C* of the _Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law,” he stated

    The group described *Section 2 C* of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law as draconian, repugnant to natural justice and good conscience and an affront to the independence of the sacred traditional institution.

    A source who pleaded anonymity said the law was made by the traditional rulers themselves, passed by the State House of Assembly and signed into law by the state governor in 2020.

    The source said since the traditional rulers conscientiously made the law for themselves, they should be bound by it as it was not a creation of Soludo’s administration.