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Enugu commissions waste control facilities TO tackle problem of waste management, the Enugu State government at the weekend commissioned 15 ultra modern compaction trucks and 1000 dumpsters At the ceremony held at the Okpara Square, Enugu, Governor Sullivan Chime said the new equipment would help the state achieve and maintain a clean and sustainable environment. He added that the new facilities would also complement efforts to improve security, rebuild public utilities and create a conducive business climate. He said that the government's new waste management programme was a total package designed to create new jobs and open up the economic space of the state. Chime added: "Tourists and investors demand certain basic environmental conditions. If we must take advantage of our government's collaborative efforts and incentives to the former, they as well as our people, must live in neighbourhood and drive along the ways not littered with refuse heaps. I am confident that we can make this possible if we all appreciate the dangers of unclean environment to our psyche and lives."
‘How we fight poverty in Enugu’ Mr. Matthew Idu is the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Reduction in Enugu State. He recently spoke with South East Bureau Chief, on
The payment of workers’ salary is an aspect of human development. Of course, you know, workers are being paid on the 25th of every month in the state and on that area, we believe government is doing something serious. On the issue of employment, thousands of teachers will be employed. The board directly in charge of the recruitment has placed advert, people have applied and short-listed and in no distant time, they will call for the interview, following the due process of employment. That is how serious this government is about empowering the people. On capacity building, we have done so many things since the administration came in. In collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), we are packaging equipment loan for artisans and very soon, they will be given this facility to enable them go into the job they have skills in. We are also in partnership with the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP). The state has demonstrated its interest in poverty reduction programmes such as the Commissioner Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme of the Federal Government through NAPEP. I have just told you, we are collaborating with NAPEP. NAPEP is a national body for poverty eradication and we in the Ministry of Poverty Reduction are the agency responsible for that. We liaise with NAPEP on poverty issues. It is at the centre; Abuja formulates programmes and we in the state come in to make such programmes come to our state. Fortunately, Enugu State is one of the pilot states to benefit from the CCT programme. We anchor it here and drive it down to the people. Actually, we have so many things mapped out. Poverty is a very big challenge of our generation. We may not have the resources to meet up with the enormous poverty level in our environment. Even when you have identified so many people who are in need of one thing or the other, you might not have the capacity to meet up with them. So, our main problem is resources. Poverty is relative, with regard to where you are looking at it from. Poverty is deprivation, actual deprivation of what is supposed to be. You might have poverty of the mind, poverty of ideas, poverty of the pocket, that is, the resources. So, poverty’s total meaning can be said to be not having adequate measure of an issue. In common man’s reasoning, when you mention poverty, they think of finance. Government don’t go about sharing money to people. What the government does is to, on the human development aspect, give skills to the people to enable them fend for themselves. You should teach somebody how to fish, but not to give him fish everyday. So, in the real sense of poverty reduction, we go about collaborating with foreign donors, agencies in Nigeria that are establishment to reduce poverty at the federal level. We also liaise with local government authorities to see how we can build the capacity of people living within that environment to enable them fend for themselves. We have programmes aimed at youth empowerment where we teach the youth different types of trade to enable them to be on their own. We also look at the cooperative societies where people are formed into groups to enable them work for themselves. We have farmers cooperative society and traders cooperative society which we deal with as units, using, most times, the micro credit facilities to enable them have fund for whatever they are doing. As I am talking to you now, World Bank personnels are in Enugu State going through the projects in what they call the impact evaluation to know exactly how these projects have impacted on the people they are established for. I will not say that the whole projects have been done, but about 90 per cent of the projects are close to completion. In fact, we have about 70 per cent ready for inauguration, while 20 per cent are near completion.
Enugu vows to continue demolition of illegal structures ENUGU State government has said it will not be deterred by blackmail or threats of litigation from completing the on-going removal of over 40,000 illegal structures in Enugu metropolis as part of efforts to restore the city to its original plan. The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Chijioke Agu, stated this while addressing journalists on the protests that have trailed the drive. According to him, any structure that has been erected without authority or on land meant for other uses would not be spared irrespective of the status of the owner. Agu explained that the exercise was an integral part of Enugu government's current efforts to give the urban areas of the state a face-lift through the reconstruction of roads and drainage systems. No part of the plan would be allowed to fail, he added. "The commitment of Enugu State government to restore the state is total. It is a holistic plan that encompasses the restoration of order in the economic, political, administrative, social and environmental affairs of the state. "As regards the environment, the restoration drive entails reconstruction of roads, drainage, more effective waste management and the removal of the illegal structures that have not only defaced the city over the years but made life more difficult for the people," he said. The commissioner stated that while protests arising from the demolition exercise would be treated on their merits and compensations paid where necessary, the government would not be blackmailed into abandoning the drive or treating any owner of an illegal structure as a 'sacred cow.' Referring specifically to protests from Christian leaders over the demolition of a church during the exercise, Agu explained that the church was built on a piece of land originally designed as a refuse dump site. The illegal erection of the church on the site, he said, had deprived the residents of a place to dispose of their refuse and forced them to dump their wastes indiscriminately. According to Agu: "The demolition of that church clearly demonstrates that this government means business and would not protect anyone who has engaged or is engaging in an illegality. There will be no sacred cows in our drive to clean up Enugu. "The government is determined to restore the city to its original plan. All dump sites and open spaces that had now been illegally developed must be recovered and the government doesn't want to know who developed them. The interest of the general public takes precedence over any private interest," the commissioner declared. He disclosed that his ministry is working closely with market associations and other trade unions to ensure that all illegal shops are removed.
Elumelu raises alarm over threat to life ENUGU— CHAIRMAN of House Committee on Power and Steel, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu now leading the probe of the nation’s power sector said yesterday that unknown persons were threatening his life and that of his mother. Speaking during a courtesy call on Governor Sullivan Chime in Enugu, Elumelu said that he was not bothered by the activities of such people vowing that he would complete the investigations without fear or favour. According to him, the visits to all the power stations by members of the committee have revealed several cases of non-performance, adding that the situation was highly disturbing. Elumelu told the governor that the committee was in Enugu State to assess the work done at the New Haven-Ugwuaji 33 KVA sub -station contracted to Chrome Consulting Energy at N8.8 billion out of which N5.6 billion including Naira and Dollar payment and LC had since been paid to the firm. The Ikot-Ekpene-Ugwuaji sub-station which he said was being handled by Energo Nigeria Limited has received N13.2 billion out of the N19.4 billion contract sum, while Renold Engineering handling the Nsukka 32/33 KV sub-station had received N264 million out of the total sum of N643 million. He disclosed that another sub-station at 9th Mile Corner, Enugu contracted out at N1.2 billion was being handled by Pivot Engineering Limited. Elumelu added that the sub-station at Amaechi was being handled by W. Ibeh and Brothers, stressing that the committee would assess the level of work done to determine whether the contractors should continue the work or refund the money already paid to him. He also said that his committee would visit the abandoned Oji River Thermal power station to ascertain the cause of its redundancy with a view to making necessary recommendations for its reactivation if need be. He said that the National Assembly would soon pass a supplementary budget from which allocations would be made to states for infrastructure development. In his remarks, Chime said Nigeria should be grateful to the National Assembly for empowering the committee, which he said was doing “a yeoman’s job.” “Nigeria is lucky to have President Yar’Adua at the helm of affairs. It is unfortunate and ironic that these things happened when the government was shouting due process; the huge amount expended with nothing to show is disturbing,” he said.
Afribank to reward participants at Enugu fair Afribank Nigeria Plc has assured participants and exhibitors at the 2008 Enugu International Trade Fair of reward for their patronage apart from the excellent services they will enjoy. Participants and customers who patronize the Bank at the fair will have the opportunity to receive assorted gifts. The Bank will offer on line real time services at the fair to enable customers across the country to deposit and withdraw funds with ease. Banking services that will be available at Afribank’s stand are - funds deposits, cash collection, withdrawal, opening of accounts at concessionary terms, draft issuance, sale of educational forms, receipt of payment for taxes, and free financial advisory services. The Bank will also offer Afribank Consumer Finance Solutions Package, Afribank Cash Express and Afribank Distributors Scheme among others. These products provide unique advantages to entrepreneurs, traders and businessmen to improve their businesses.
'It Is Just Propaganda In Enugu State' WHILE the Sullivan Chime administration is celebrating its 'feat,' the Labour Party's governorship candidate in the last election in Enugu State, Chief Okey Ezea, insists that not much is actually happening and argues that the so-called achievements cannot match the amount that had accrued to the state in the last nine months. From Lawrence, Enugu You were quoted as saying that Governor Sullivan Chime is a sure candidate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). What informed that statement? I said that the Enugu State government had between May 2007 and February 2008 collected more than N35.67billion from the Federation Account alone, excluding the money that accrued to local governments in February 2008. The same government has borrowed another N5billon. This is without prejudice to the internally generated revenue, money accruing from the Paris Club refund and other sundry sources of revenue to the government. There should be an element of accountability and transparency. We want to know how much exactly they got, if they say what I said is just an estimate based on published figures from the Federal Ministry of Finance. Government is not a private property; it is a public service and the people are entitled to know. Whether anybody likes it or not, it is our right. It is nobody's father's estate; it is our commonwealth and we are entitled to that right to know. We are just being bombarded with propaganda that the state government is building roads, paying salaries and pensions. So what? These workers are entitled to salaries; it is not a privilege but a right. Responsibility goes with authority. If they have the authority to collect these funds on our behalf, they have the responsibility to tell us how it was spent. If you are building a road, we need to know the length of the road and how much you are spending on the road. It is not enough to tell us that you are, for instance, building Presidential Road, what is the price per kilometre. Are you doing drainage there, what is the cost and dimension? Is it an open or closed drainage? These are the things we need to know. We have gone beyond all that raw propaganda that goes to no issue. Do these figures include deductions and how sure are you that the government has even borrowed money on behalf of the state? These figures were not manufactured; the Federal Ministry of Finance publishes them on a monthly basis. I don't know whether there were deductions but I know that the Union Bank has said that they made a facility of N5 billion available to the state. The government had also claimed that it borrowed N1.2 billion on behalf of local governments. So all we have seen in the state since this government came to power cannot match what it had collected as revenue? Of course not! For goodness sake, what is it that is happening in Enugu State that has taken N35.67 billion and N6.2 billion, which they borrowed? As a matter of fact, these people are not building roads; they are resurfacing roads. You are building a road when you take off from Enugu to Isiuzo, you have to clear the bush paths, the surface soil, introduce a different type of sand after excavation, take a level, do the drainage and asphalt it, then we know you are building a road. It is not a road that has already found its level and has drainage and you resurface it and you come to say you are building a road. That is why we want to know the cost of building these roads per kilometre. There are standard prices all over the place and if you ask the consultants, they will tell you. If you are resurfacing at a prescribed level of thickness of asphalt, it has a price. If you are building a new road at a certain kilometre and thickness, it also has a price. We are an enlightened society and can no longer be led by the nose. Government says it is not only building roads but also equipping security agencies in the state, providing free maternal and child healthcare and paying salaries as and when, among others. That is not an issue. We are saying, where and when did they advertise these jobs, as contained in the public procurement act? When did interested parties bid? It is not a matter of how many projects but how did they come to be? You pointed at payment of salaries, but that is the recurrent expenditure of government, which is more or less stable and the same. The percentage increase each year is most of the time plus or minus 10 per cent because of increment in salaries. They have been in government for nine months but I can't see any health institution that is different from what it used to be. Last time, I went to the Awgu General Hospital, it was overgrown with weeds and has not changed as I am talking to you. Which are the projects in education? Do the children now have better classrooms to read? Is there any improvement in the state university? Is there any improvement in Institute of Management and Technology (IMT)? They said they are doing roads in Nsukka but it is just the bad portion between Ugwoye and Ogige Market, without drainage, even when the road is not up to a kilometre. So what do you think about this government? My thinking is that the government lacks accountability and transparency and does not administer by the rule of law. This is a nepotic government; very narrow in its scope and application of the principles of public service. Some government officials believe that you are vindictive and selfish because you lost the last governorship election to Chime. It is very easy for people to make such allegations. What is being vindictive about my accusation of their mismanagement of public funds in Enugu State? Let them address the issue whether the figures given to us by the Federal Ministry of Finance are wrong figures. If they cannot address the issue, it becomes a clear admission that we are correct and then the EFCC would not need to be forced to act. They cannot run away from it by casting aspersions on the personality of Okey Ezea. Are these basically your grouse against this government? Once somebody does not have respect for due process and rule of law, it means that you can wake up and give contract to your wife; you can give appointment to your younger brother. The same governor (Chime) has brought his uncle, Chief F.O.C. Chime and made him the chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue, the same way he brought his counsel to be the Minister representing Enugu State. But that is extreme parochialism. It is because of this lack of due process and rule of law that Chime can install 250 councilors and 17 local government chairmen in the state without anybody casting a vote, and you say we are in a democracy. This is somebody who has not stayed one year in office and has the temerity to rig local government elections. That means they are not even popular enough to get a councillor. Even in his local council, Udi, he is not popular enough to conduct an election. He could have used that as an experiment to test his popularity. But majority of the residents, including some members of some opposition parties, feel otherwise, based on what they feel is going on in the state? Those who say Chime is doing well are those benefiting from his illegality. Our people are good in sycophancy. They know that the governor is not going anywhere but they will sing songs to praise him. I can tell you that when you go back to the same people and interview them after the Court of Appeal ruling, you will see a different ball game. Maybe because we have been used to bad roads in the past and somebody is now resurfacing the roads, everybody is shouting. What is the situation with the appeals over the last election in the state? We have finished filing our papers and some of our lawyers have written to the President of Court of Appeal to constitute the panel. I am sure he is taking his time to ensure that he comes up with a panel that is impeccable; that will be trusted and that will do the good work and give us justice. The Court of Appeal in their wisdom will look at the facts of the matter and come up with what they think is the truth of the situation. Don't forget that the Court of Appeal in Enugu and matters arising from the Southeast in general had always been controversial, especially as regards election petitions. If you remember what happened there in 2003, you will agree with me that the Court of Appeal President must take his time to avoid similar scenario. Should the court uphold the tribunal judgment, how prepared are you for a fresh election? All we are praying the Court of Appeal to do is to uphold the decision of the lower tribunal, which reflects realities of situation in Enugu State because there was no election in the state. We are very prepared for the election and waiting for it like yesterday. Our people are well mobilised. The governor appears to have got the confidence of your zone, Nsukka, with the appointment of an ambassador; choice of Speaker of the state Assembly; and PDP chairman from there, among others. I believe it is an insult on my people that of all appointments available in Enugu State, it is the position of PDP chairman, Speaker of House and ambassador that they could be settled with. That is if it is conceived that it was the state government that recommended Dr. Fidel Ayogu for an ambassadorial position. But the government did not appoint or contribute in the appointment of Ayogu. He was appointed on his strength as a founding member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and its governorship candidate in the state in the spirit of Government of National Unity the party entered into with the PDP-led Federal Government. The issue of PDP chairman is neither here nor there. Even at that, Vita Abbah has not become the chairman yet because there is serious controversy in that regard. As for the Speaker, of the three zones in the state, the west has taken the governorship; east the deputy governorship; and naturally, the Speaker should come to Nsukka. Even at that, the governor is working assiduously to remove him simply because he is from Nsukka. In any case, the Labour Party is spread all over the state and had candidates all over the state in last year's election. Much as the votes from Nsukka are important, they are not the only votes we need. I think we even have stronger support outside than the people in Nsukka and we are sure that the support we have, with God on our side, victory is on our side. Tell us why you seem not amenable to dialogue with the present administration? My agitation is that there was no election in Enugu State in April last year and that one of the tenets of democracy is your freedom to vote in the like of one man, one vote. So, until they observe this right, I have no compromise. If they go back to the polls and the people of the state are allowed to vote and they say is Chime, so be it. But if it is in a situation where somebody will come and say we know that you have spent N100, take N120 million and forget this, I will say no. If it is democratic compromise and we say let's vote to know whom the people Enugu State have chosen, I am ready to compromise on that. But to let a fraudulent system be, I will not accept that. What would be your advice to your supporters and people of the state? My advice to our people is that they should have patience. The struggle for liberation at any time in any society has always been a long distance race. It is going to be a long distance race to turn our society into a dreamland. But I assure them that although it may take time, it will surely come.
Enugu govt, churches feud over demolition ENUGU State government and some Christian leaders are bickering over demolition of churches in the metropolis for allegedly contravening planning regulations. Already, two of such churches have been demolished. On Monday evening, government had demolished the Living Praise Chapel, Uwani, Enugu, a day to the expiration of a seven-day eviction notice to the church, saying the structure was erected at what used to be a refuse dump. It also, at the weekend, pulled down the Arm of God Church, Isiochi, Enugu for allegedly contravening planning regulations. The demolitions were ordered by the Environment Commissioner, Mr. Chijioke Agu. The Senior Pastor of the Living Praise Chapel, Mr. Emeka Okoye, who addressed reporters yesterday, said he would not allow the "illegal" demolition to go unchallenged. He tendered documents relating to the building including the Certificate of Occupancy issued in respect of the land in 2006, and other papers obtained from the state government to prove that he went through the right channels to get the property. He clamed that when the eviction/demolition notice was served on the church, it sent all the documents to the commissioner who, he alleged, refused to be persuaded to stop the exercise. Okoye estimated the cost of the damaged equipment and other items at N5 million. A member of the church, who witnessed the demolition, Elijah Esama, explained that the demolition team was accompanied by armed soldiers. He said the government would incur "the wrath of God" by the action, maintaining that the church would ensure that those responsible for the demolition are consumed by the incident. But Agu said the land where the church was sited was meant for waste disposal, contending that the C of O granted to it by the erstwhile administration was illegal and wrongfully obtained. His words: "The church building that was purportedly demolished yesterday was not the only one that has been marked by the government and my ministry. The reason being that that place is an open space meant for Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA); it's supposed to be for refuse disposal. We are trying to reclaim our dumpsites that were illegally concessioned lands given out to individuals. We want to claim back the area where the Living Praise Chapel was, so that the people can use it for what it was originally designated for." Also speaking on the development, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Martin Ilo, who said he was not aware of the development, regretted, however, that a church could be involved in what he described as "on-going urban redevelopment work" which, according to him, was usually done in consultation with the affected persons or organisations. Appealing for understanding and patience in the matter, he said that the "church would be allocated another plot of land and adequate compensation," while calling on the residents of the state to cooperate with government in her efforts to develop the city.
Aircraft crash in Enugu By Kelvin Osa - Okunbor A propeller aircraft belonging to a chartered operator, Wings Aviation Services Limited crashed yesterday around Enugu in Enugu state. The aircraft was a special charter to Obudu Ranch, Cross Rivers States where it was to pick up passengers including Cross Rivers State governor Liyal Imoke and members of the State Executive Council on a retreat. The airline is managed by Captain Noggie Megisson, an airline pilot. On board the aircraft it was learnt yesterday, were the pilot, the flight engineer, a cabin attendant and a marketing staff of the airline. According to the director general of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA),Dr Harold Demuren, the aircraft took off from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday about 7- 30 am for the Obudu Ranch but lost communication from the control tower after some hours. As at press time, details of the crash were still sketchy as relevant aviation agencies were battling to locate the crash site with a view to ascertaining the probable cause(s) of the crash. Relevant aviation authorities including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), NCAA, and the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), launched a massive search for the ill fated aircraft and called it off after hours of futile search. The crash comes after an accident free year in 2007, when no air crash was recorded in the Nigerian airspace. The crash of Wings Aviation brings to three private charter aircraft that have crashed in Nigeria . A private aircraft crashed in Kaduna Airport , a few minutes after it took of killing the pilot, who was step son to the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), national chairman, Ahmadu Ali, in 2005. Another aircraft belonging to Sky Executive Airline, belonging to Captain Sina Akinsete crashed a few years ago killing a few persons on board. A few years ago, a propeller aircraft belonging to a chartered operator conveying board of editors of Thisday Newspapers crashed landed in Maiduguri , no life was lost. It would be recalled that on October 22,2005 , a Bellview Airlines Boeing 727 crashed shortly after take off from the Lagos Airport killing all 117 persons on board. On December 10,2005 an aircraft belonging to Sosoliso Airlines crashed on approach on landing at the Port Harcourt Airport , killing 105 passengers on board. On May 4,2003 ,an aircraft belonging to EAS airlines crashed shortly after take off from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport , killing over 100 persons both on board and on ground. Another aircraft belonging to ADC airlines crashed shortly after take off from the Abuja Airport in 2006 killing about a hundred passengers including the Sultan of Sokoto, and other prominent Nigerians.
How we lost six cops in bullion van robbery, by Enugu CP ENUGU—THE Enugu State Police Commissioner, Mr. Bashir Azeez, yesterday, narrated how his command lost six officers to armed bandits that attacked two bullion vans along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on Wednesday, saying the robbers became so brutal on noticing that the money conveyed in the vans were old currencies. According to him, the armed bandits who were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons set one of the bullion vans ablaze on noticing that the money it conveyed was not useful to them. He said that by press time yesterday, no official of the bank whose vans were attacked had officially reported to the command about any missing fund even though there were speculations that several millions of Naira were carted away by the robbers. The robbers were said to have laid an ambush for the bullion vans along the Umumba end of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway while conveying currencies to the Central Bank Regional office in Enugu but unknown to them the money was in old Naira denominations. Apparently irked by the discovery, the bandits immediately set one of the bullion vans on fire and vandalized the second one which was said to be conveying genuine currencies and carted them away in two mass transit buses reportedly snatched from a popular transport firm. Two of the policemen that escorted the bullion vans were killed on the spot while the fleeing bandits in an attempt to refuel their vehicles at a petrol station within Oji River junction shot dead an attendant for daring to ask them for payment. Sensing that they might be blocked along the Enugu-Anambra border at Ugwuoba, the bandits veered off to Oji River and headed to Achi through the dusty road.
Enugu Assembly Indicts Nnamani Over LG Funds A report by the Special Committee of the Enugu State Assembly has indicted former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani for allegedly squandering federal allocations to councils between 1999 and 2007.
Budget Delay Stalls Rehabilitation Of Enugu Highway A last-minute presidential directive released last October and the delays in the passage of the federal budget by the National Assembly were part of the reasons why a comprehensive rehabilitation work on the Onitsha -Enugu Expressway has not taken off. The rehabilitation project, for which N5.5 billion was provided in 2007 federal budget, was affected by President Umaru Yar'Adua's directive that funds for which projects had not commenced, should be returned to the treasury. As at that time, a contractor for the job had been nominated but the letter for the award was yet to be released, nor the contract papers signed. The federal controller of Works in Anambra, Ademola Adesina confirmed this to The Guardian in Awka. He said his office cannot go against directives of President Yar'Adua, but expressed hope that as soon as the 2008 budget was passed, work would commence on the road. Adesina also admitted that no major rehabilitation work has been carried out on the road, 30 years after it was built. This would be the first of such major work on the road, which ought to have been done every ten years. He, however, declined comment on a claim by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State that the last federal administration diverted substantial part of the budgetary provision for the road to another road in the South West. Adesina said he has no such facts on the claim, hence could not make comments on that.
Enugwu-Ukwu ‘ll Choose Igwe At Appropriate Time –Nkwocha Benneth Nkwocha, an indigene of Enugu-Ukwu, speaks on the raging controversy over the community’s stool. He spoke to Reporter, Chukwujekwu Ilozue, on this among other issues in this concluding part of the interview. Excerpts: Agwunas have consistently ruled Enugwu-Ukwu. Do they manipulate the process to that position? Well, it is unfounded. This boy by the law to which the indigenes subscribed to must perform the Igu Aro. Any other person doing it makes it null; it can’t be an Igu Aro. The Igu Aro for our people is a sacred ceremony which can be performed not on whims and caprices but by respecting laws, customary laws gazetted laws since 1975. So it is almost 40 years old law. We are not talking about how somebody feels if at the end of the three years ceremony and the Igwe dies finally and the final Ofala is celebrated, if his son says he will perform the next Ofala I would understand your point. Somebody can now say: why should you perform the Ofala? Are you the Igwe? We must get a new Igwe. I don’t think that any fear is founded. Your father is signatory to the constitution? I am using my father’s copy. The other constitution you are referring to is it the 1992 constitution? This is Igbo customary law of 1975 volume 6 No. 4. So, ordinarily one would expect you to fit into your father’s shoes? No, one would ordinarily expect me to defend the customs and tradition of Enugwu-Ukwu and abide by the customary laws and constitution of my people. How are you going to defend it since the Igu Aro has been aborted? No, it is not aborted; you can’t abort the people’s culture. What we would do is to reduce public involvement because we cannot jump an Igu Aro; that means a year will be lost to our people and to our culture. The Igwe must have performed the Igu Aro at midnight though low keyed. You know he went into seclusion 12 days prior to Igu Aro to commune with our ancestors and prepare himself. He was in the sanctum Santorum of the Igwe where nobody sees him and he fasted for the entire year that has passed. So, I can conclude that you are not interested in who becomes the Igwe but that the tradition of Enugwu-Ukwu be followed. This is a very traditional matter. The people of Enugwu-Ukwu are not happy that this is the first time they have lost an opportunity of being at Igwe’s palace as he emerges from seclusion after 12 days during which he does not see anybody. This boy duly performed those rites after inheriting the Ofo Nri as prescribed; so I don’t understand why there should be this crisis. This is thrust upon him by the laws of our people. I intend with the help of well meaning people of Enugwu-Ukwu to arrange a meeting of both sides because I am sure this is a brotherly matter which should not escalate to governor’s attention. I have sent out feelers, emissaries already to both sides. I am confident that whatever the problem is that we must move on and perform the Igu Aro and usher our Igwe away as prescribed by our customary law. If whatever efforts you make fall on deaf ears, what next line of action will you take for those of you who are bent on following what the constitution says? I am sure that by the next Igu Aro, reason would have prevailed. It is a matter of dispute, it is very clear, the boy is not Igwe but he should perform Igu Aro for three years and then we should look for an Igwe. So, I think that all relevant documents are before his Excellency right now, and the Ministry of Justice in Awka. Like I said the Supreme Court has already ruled on the admissibility of this constitution and has decided that it must be signed by the Igwe. So, I am sure if it goes to court there will not be an issue of interpretation but I am sure it will not go to that length, because that will fractionalize our people. You see on both sides are men of impeccable character, very good men. These are people who have been with the Igwe for years - they are the pillars of our society. I am sure that whatever is the problem will easily be settled. Enugwu-Ukwu can not reside in crisis; it is not possible. We are the Isi Igbo, the progenitor of the entire Igbo nation. It is true. If you go to Oxford University it is taught there. Enugwu-Ukwu? I though it is Nri? You see the point – Agu-Ukwu, Enugwu-Ukwu, Nawfia and Enugwu-Agidi – these are the four children of the first woman that ever lived, who nobody gave birth to. Her name was Nri; these are the small children. But Enugwu-Ukwu has the Ofo Nri. Ofo Nri is not a joke. These people, who perform these rights don’t have the Ofo Nri. It is a sacred item that is in the Obu. There is an Obu for Ofo Nri in the palace of the Igwe. According to the history of our origin, this first man, Nri came out on his own from an Mkpume (stone) and gave birth to these four people - Agu-Ukwu, Enugwu-Ukwu, Nawfia and Enugwu-Agidi - and then we gave birth to all of you wherever you come from. So, Enugwu-Ukwu, we hold our tradition dear. Do you know how much we lost from this crisis on tourism? Every year from all over the world, BBC comes to report on this Igu Aro. It is a phenomenal event. This is the first year for over 60 years it started from his own father. This is the first time it is done like this. It is very sad to me. I am sure it is sad to both parties as well. We are the primary stakeholders; we are the youths of this place. All what we want to ensure is that by the time we get to their age, we will be able to enjoy the peace they will leave for us because the young must grow. They won’t be there for ever. If the person who is supposed to perform this Igu Aro is questionable and probably the reasonable men in town feel uncomfortable with the kind of person…? If he is an armed robber? Let me repeat the place that contains the right. What is said is that "the Okpala or Diokpala or anybody rightfully acting in that capacity". It is not, it must be Diokpala, but anybody acting rightfully in that capacity. So if you know he is a mad person, you can show us the person to do it. In the first place, this man is not the Okpala; I hope you are aware but he is the one rightfully acting in that capacity, inherits the insignia of Obu Ofo Nri and will perform the right for the three years. The only place where the most senior cabinet member, that is Chief Dr. D.A Nwandu, is coming in acting capacity as interim chairman is the arrangement connected with the burial rites not for any other purpose. The entire four clans of Umunri of which my father was the first in the hierarchy of Ndi Ozo is very dear to us. I know reason will prevail. I know it will be resolved and I hope it will be very soon. There are no two sides to it. The people of Enugwu-Ukwu will choose their Igwe at the appropriate time when the current Igwe is no longer around.
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