The Anambra Times 2
Daily Times Nigeria Monday, January 9, 2017
Police plotting with opponents to dethrone me, says Igwe Nwankwo Ï Allegation untrue -Police
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The traditional ruler of Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, has accused the Anambra State Police Command of plotting with his enemies in the community to dethrone him through the Abagana Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Daniel Nnamoko Uke, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP). Speaking to newsmen in his palace in Nawfia, the traditional ruler called for a full-scale panel of inquiry into the ongoing crisis in the town, so that he will expose all the people including the Police who have been working to remove him as the traditional ruler of the community. He said: “Some people are after me. It is shear jealousy. That is the way they killed my father but they can’t kill me. They will fail. They wanted to use me but I refused. I am stronger now than before”. Igwe Nwankwo alleged that DPO of Abagano was given money by his opponents to dethrone him and “that is why he prefers carrying their directives instead
of my own who is the monarch of the town”. But the DPO denied ever receiving money from any group in Nawfia to work against the traditional ruler or plotting with anybody to dethrone Igwe Nwankwo, insisting that his duty was to ensure peace and order in the entire Local Government Area including Nawfia. But trouble started when the President General of the community allegedly said to be working in concert with some people organised Nawfia Day that will last for about seven days during the Christmas and New Year festivities without the approval of the traditional ruler. Igwe Nwankwo said by organising Nawfia day without his approval, even where there was masquerade display, the organisers had obviously hijacked his functions as the custodian of Nawfia culture and tradition. He said they merely informed him of a programme that ought to have emanated from his palace, which he directed should not hold and told the DPO not to allow it hold but they defied his
order and went ahead to hold the programme as well as allowed masquerades to come out without his consent or approval, alleging that the “de facto president general” which he is challenging his election in the court was building a new town hall in his community without his knowledge and approval. He also alleged that in the programme of the “so-called Nawfia Day”, his picture and name were conspicuously missing in their brochure, which was a clear indication that there was a plot to dethrone and the DPO was providing support. Said Igwe Nwankwo: “Nigeria is the most corrupt country in the world. My problem with the Police is that I don’t give them money. When I call the Police, they don’t act. If the other group calls them, they will act. They are using intimidation. You can’t take my function and invite me to take part. I want full-scale investigation. I will expose all these people and even the Police. They come to Igbo land to make money”.
Obiano to construct 111 roads in 90 days Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has said that 111 roads have been earmarked for construction in the dry season. Obiano, who disclosed this on Saturday in Awka, the state capital, said the roads were in areas with prospects for the realisation of agriculture, commerce and industrial vision. He said that the roads would cut across the three Senatorial districts of the state.
“It would be done to standard due to the anticipated heavy duty trucks conveying products to and from the project sites,’’ the governor said. He described the year 2016 as a year of breakthrough for the state. According to him, the state government would intensify efforts to ensure that the economy of the state remain viable to alleviate the impact of the present economic recession on the people.
Philip Balepo Onitsha
Chairman Chicason Group, Chief Alexander Okafor (middle), recceiving award from Dr. Dozie Ikedife, at an event in honour of entrpreneurs of Igbo extraction held at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, recently. Beside Chief Okafor is Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.
ÏÏÏ Governor of
Commuters groan as Onitsha comes to a halt
Obiano said he had initiated short-term policies to guarantee the state’s continued march toward greater achievements. “This government is more focused on building strong institutions for a viable model for subsequent administrations to consolidate on,’’ the governor said. “I am committed to seeing through my social contract with the people,’’ he said.
ÏÏÏ Easterners who came home
for the Christmas and New Year festivities are sweating blood trying to return to their bases in Lagos, other parts of the West and Abuja as traffic at the Onitsha end of the Niger Bridge is grinding to a snail speed. Early travellers as early as 6 am on Sunday had to spend almost one to two hours before getting to the Delta State side of the Bridge. And what a free day it turned out to be for both transporters and Okada riders. While the least the Okada riders charge to cross passengers to Asaba was N300, the transporters like God is Good Motors charged
Lagos bound travelers N11,200 while others like Edegbe Motors charged N7,000 for those travelling to Lagos. As at 10 am on Sunday, the clog of wheels were still stretched up to Upper Iweka Round About. Most vehicles with Police escorts were found driving against the traffic, thereby making the situation more cumbersome. And to make matters worse, the Police and the Army were seen conducting sporadic stop and check. This of course brings to bear the importance of a second Niger Bridge in Onitsha/Asaba axis. It is on record that this traffic jam is an annual occurrence that can only be checked with the creation of an alternative route.
Uke celebrates maiden Ofala
Philip Balepo Onitsha
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Uke, otherwise called the ‘holy’ town in Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State, recently honoured its indigenes with chieftaincy awards and installed the Ndi Ichie Ukwu (King’s cabinet members), to mark the maiden Ofala festival of the new King, Igwe Charles Chuma Agbala, the Igwe Oranyelu III of Uke. Uke’s last Igwe, HRH G. N. C. Ezeude, Igwe Oranyelu II, who reigned between 1996 and 2011, passed on in December, 2011 and his reign offered little peace to the town even in death until a Peace Committee created in 2007, headed by Dr. Ephraim Onyechi and Edozie Mbaneme as secretary, raised a new constitution which made order the main dish of Uke Development Union. This also led to the emergence of a new king who emerged via the hierarchical structure of the villages. This peace accord led to the very last Ofala of Igwe Ezeude, which was performed on November 14, 2015, five years after his exit. That Ofala left the throne vacant. As nature abhors a vacuum, the Uke Development Union called on the next village which is Uruezeani/Uruabor to give the town three eligible candidates as constitution orders. The election, which was an open ballot affair, saw Surveyor Charles Agbala emerge the next king with 165 votes as against 13 by Dr. Boniface Amah and also 10 by Dr. Boniface Agbala, who incidentally is the elder brother of Igwe Charles. So, the maiden Ofala turned out so colourful and gracious that for the first time, Uke was
united in peace and harmony. Illustrious sons were honoured as well as the King’s cabinet who were the choices of the villages in the town. In his maiden speech titled, “New Era, the new king, Igwe Surveyor Charles Agbala, expressed joy that Uke is one again, adding that for him and all Uke people, “the labour begins, where those with fresh blood and the unquenchable desire to serve are needed. This is a festival of return - that is, returning home to make Uke the foremost town in Idemili North Local Government Area.” The Igwe reminded his people that “Uke was one of the first towns to offer free primary education to kids two decades ago. Now, we are going to provide free primary and secondary education for indolent children.” He lamented the dearth of “socio-cultural initiatives which he attributed to the rampant outside marriage of our youths.” The Igwe was thankful to Governor Willie Obiano for the N20 million Choose-your-project initiative, which has Uke building a new civic centre. He then beckoned on his subjects to “learn to be constructive in their criticisms rather than destructive. We must also learn to forgive one another in order to move Uke forward.” The President-General, Mr. Ikedi Obi, in his welcome address, thanked all “Uke indigenes for finding it necessary to seek and achieve peace. We are committed to working together. The popular Eke Uke Market will soon wear a modern look and electricity which has eluded us for two years now will soon be a thing of the past,” he promised.