Features

Ndigbo: Time to look beyond Hope Uzodimma and see the danger ahead

Published

4 years ago

October 31, 2022

“Don’t mind the media shout; do the job I command you. If anyone accuses you of human rights violation, the report will come to my table, and you know what I will do.

“So, take the battle to them wherever they are and kill them all. Don’t wait for an order. Don’t sit and wait for them to come; take the attack to them and don’t lose your arms to criminals.”

This was a statement attributed to a police officer – not a low-level officer or even a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in one nondescript station in a remote village. This was said to be from Alkali Baba, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Nigeria’s number one policeman.

Perhaps, he was reading the riot act to his officers and men as they readied to storm a hideout somewhere in Sambisa Forest, where Boko Haram terrorists, have camped for the better part of their decade-old bloody campaign against Nigerians or other parts of North East communities, that have turned into human abattoirs with the daily gory tales of mass butchering of people. No!

Okay! The police boss, must have been speaking to his personnel to launch a merciless attack on the bandits running riot in the North West of Kaduna, Zamfara or Katsina, home of President Muhammadu Buhari. No! What about those slaughtering Nigerians in Benue and Jos? No still!

The eerie charge, was to operatives in Igboland, hitherto, acknowledged as the safest part of Nigeria, with Anambra State, mounting it on a standard and celebrating it – safety in the land – as one of its major achievement in the last eight years now.

Of course, the implication of this order would not sink in to those insulated from the trend of events in Nigeria in recent years, especially in the past six years, where the country has sunk deeper into the seeminly irredeemable morass of terrorism and banditry activities.

But why choose the South East for such outrightly outlandish command and what is the implication in the context of the relationship between the area and the central government of Nigeria in the Buhari years? Since the break of 2021, South East has not known peace. The setting had been laid earlier with strange gunmen attacking security personnel and formations in various communities, first, in Anambra State, including the state capital, Awka.

As the people wondered at this strange activities of the gunmen who seemed to have singled out men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the attacks gradually seeped into other states within the zone, with more attacks in Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Abia almost with the same pattern. As the apprehension grew more and more, given the suddenness, the precision and successes of the operations, which seemed to take place without any counter from the security operatives, the public became more confused and troubled.

The din on the commotion however become quite deafening when the most ambitious strike came, with the invasion and burning of the headquarters of the Imo State Police Command and Owerri Correctional Services, which was broken into and the inmates released, That not only enlarged the frontiers of the problem, but set off different permutations began and finger-pointing by different actors.

This singular incident, which took place on April 5, 2021, practically raised the danger bar from amber to red-colour. It also introduced the hydra-headed dimensions the situation has now assumed.

Before this period, Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State had been embroiled in a running battle with the Indigenous People of Biafra over the activities of Eastern Security Network (ESN), around Orlu and Orsu local governments of the state. The governor’s invitation of the Nigerian Army personnel to flush out the ESN operatives, who had overwhelmed the police, had sparked off intense debate over the propriety of the action.

At first, many people had wondered whether the strange phenomenon was a continuation of the battle, while others debunked it with the argument that it did not fit into the modus operandi of IPOB or ESN.

Could it be the handiwork of political actors in the state then? Before now, there had been no love lost between Uzodimma and his last but one predecessor, Rochas Okoroch, same as Emeka Ihedioha, whom he displaced from office in controversial circumstances. Are they responsible. Both promptly denied involvement. In fact, Uche Onyeagocha, the Secretrary to State Government (SSG), in the Ihedioha government, had to particularly appear on Channels Television to exculpate the ex-governor’s camp.

Enter the immediate past Inspector General of Police (IG), Muhammed Adamu! In less than 24 hours after the April 5 attack, he identified IPOB as the culprit. This open and shut conclusion, even without any formal investigation, not only raised eyebrows, but set tongues wagging. How did he come to such conclusions so soon after? That gave the impression in certain already suspicious circles of work from an answer.

Unfortunately, the former IG, was sacked minutes after that unholy outing, making it impossible to follow the lead he provided. Regardless, it effectively introduced the Federal Government into the mix. The argument began to firm up that the South East was indeed being primed up for something more sinister than they had received in the past few years.

Since then, with the consistency of the attacks and the peculiar characteristics of the operations of the ubiquitous unknown gunmen propelling them, not a few Nigerians have begun to look at the matter beyond the Uzodimma-IPOB confrontation.

With IPOB, not known to shy away from its activities, denying involvement, the search for the culprits, have now been extended to many other forces outside the South East. There is the apparent impression that such forces are merely making IPOB the fall-guy.

Incidentally, Uzodimma, early enough seemed to have seen through this gambit, as he, all but, exculpated the pro-Biafran group. For him, it was almost the biblical case of the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob.

Emerging from a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on April 23, Uzodimma, had told State House Correspondents that the attacks were politically-motivated. His contention was that it was targetted at pulling down the government in Imo and that of Buhari.

“From 2015 till today, I thought what the problem would be is people saying that there is no job creation, people are not feeding, salaries are not paid, infrastructures are going down, social interventions are not approved by the government. These things are there, available, a passmark for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Now, people are no longer talking about that, rather what they are doing is to sponsor crisis, to the extent that those funding this banditry are politicians, which I challenge and call on security agencies to make their names available to the press because what they want to do is to distract a government that is focused,” he said. Propped further, he said the names of the sponsors would be made known soon as investigations were being concluded.

A day after the governor’s outing in Abuja, his Omuma, Oru West country home came under attack by the marauders leading to the burning of some cars and other structures in the expansive compound in addition to the killing of two persons within the community.

This thinking was further strengthened when the governor in a statement by his spokesman, Oguwike Nwachukwu revealed that most of the people arrested were outsiders and not Igbo, further alienating the IPOB imprimateur.

The statement, said: “We will crush anybody that attempts to cause mayhem or attack Imo people again. Government cannot surrender to blackmailers, hoodlums and perpetrators of violence, who have sworn to make the state ungovernable.

“Over 400 of those who carried out the threats on the state in the past have been arrested and undergoing trial at the courts. The good thing is that over 70 per cent of them are not Igbo.”

Flowing from this, the abiding questions therefore are who is procuring these people to attack Imo and by extension, the South East and for what motive(s)? Concomitantly, why are the attacks more pronounced at the moment in Imo and Ebonyi, the two All Progressives Congress (APC) states more than other states?

Is it possible that some people are sponsoring the mayhem to blunt the edge of their weapons to fight for space in the party, hitherto dominated by people from other places? Before now, one of the major arguments against the South East not benefitting from the APC central government is that their people are not in the party. Today, with two states being controlled by the party, that argument has fallen flat on its face.

In fact, insiders say that the strident voices of Uzodimma, Umahi and other big wigs have become a strong whip lacerating the conscience of the party about the Igbo question both at the group meetings and individual levels. With the prospect of more governors from the area joining, as is being speculated this situation may further be accentuated.

Indeed, is this part of the 2023 calculations? Since his election as the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo pan socio-cultural organisation, Nnamdi Obiozo has shown his intention to pursue the project of the next Nigerian President coming from the South East.

He has used every opportunity to canvass for it, while putting his cerebral and intellectual prowess on ground to deal with some of the negative questions being raised against the project like Ndigbo not speaking with one voice.

Hear him in one of his outings: “The truth of the matter is Ndigbo have a convincing argument to present before the country. And for those who are willing are open-minded, they will understand indeed how compellingly reasonable it is for them to support South East to produce the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the next time around.

“In fact, when people talk about justice or injustice, it is because it has not affected you and you think it will not come to you. In 2013, I said that the injustice meted to Ndigbo would be going round, I also wrote why Ndigbo are angry. Today, all the youths in Nigeria are angry. They’re angry, because what affected one group like an isolated case, has become like a plague. So what do you do?

“Ndigbo are getting ready and they’re fighting. Like every battle, you need a very few good men to win. It takes a few to achieve victory for many. Speaking with one voice is not political or democratic now! One voice is dictatorial. One voice is unacceptable in a plural society, especially in an irrepressible pluralist society like Nigeria; certainly irrepressible individualists like the Igbo.

“What are Ndigbo bringing. In fact, they’re bringing visible and conspicuous achievements and capacity to turn these national difficulties into dividends for Nigeria, obstacles into opportunities.”

With the such quality argument coming from the highly-cerebral and cerebrated diplomat, it all goes to show the preparedness of Ndigbo to meet others at the intellectual level, while the politicians tackle and defend the political front.

So what next? Is it a coincidence that an announcement was recently made about how Ndigbo through IPOB were planning to attack Lagos – a city with the highest concentration of Igbo investments in the world? Is it also a coincidence that an Igbo son was the one who made the announcement in a video that went viral? Who would gain by that obvious attempt to knock the heads of the Yoruba and Igbo together?

However, IPOB, on its own and a sizable segment of Nigerians believe the development is a far more sinister scheme than politics. Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader and his men are making a strong case that it is an extension of the terrorism going on in the northern part of Nigeria that is stealthily being transported down south, with the active connivance of the Federal Government.

Buhari, who has been accused of prosecuting a Fulani agenda, is said to have rekindled the hitherto abandoned project of the north’s quest to dip the Koran in the ocean, an euphemism for taking over the entire, Christian-dominated south and forcefully converting them to the Islamic faith.

A statement from one Osita Nwokosisi, who claimed to be the second in command of the ESN, vehemently denied his group’s involvement in the shooting of policemen, called on Ndigbo to wise up to the plot wipe out Ndigbo.

“In the name of God and whatever you worship I appeal to you to listen to me. ESN is not Unknown gunmen. We have no hands in the shootings of policemen and army officers. We have no hands in the Awkuzu killings. We did not kill anyone in Ozubulu. We cannot point a gun at a fellow Igbo. We cannot slit the the throat of women and children of any ethnic group, no matter the provocation. We are not barbaric animals! Above all, we are not criminals. ESN hereby disassociate ourselves from the carnage in Igbo land.

“Who are unknown gunmen? The Federal government sponsored the deadly Fulani killers and the Al Shabaab from Mogadishu to cause mayhem in the South East. Their intent is to overrun the Igbo nation. The South East, especially Anambra State has been surrounded by these people. They are the ones doing these shootings. The Governors are aware of this fact but it is too late for them to act now. A horrible genocide, never heard of in history is about to befall Ndigbo. They planted Fulani’s at the helm of the security outfits all over the South East with the mandate to fulfil their Jihadist agenda. Please investigate if you doubt,” he added.

He further revealed that the modus operandi were to disarm the Igbo communities, destroy the security networks and instill fear into the people before launching their attack on the now completely vulnerable people, adding that parts of these had already been achieved substantially and the execution was now at the final stage.

Scary? Definitely! But there is no way IPOB and the ESN could wash their hands of the impending doom even if true. Much as they want to blame outsiders, they practically watered the ground for them to carry out the plot. Long ago, well-meaning Igbo people, including Ohanaeze and the governors have been urging them to tone down their dangerous rhetoric.

Kanu, the leader, not only took ownership of some of the atrocities attributed to the group, but was actually overheard giving orders for the armed group to wipe out anybody who stood on their way of ridding the South East of Fulani herdsmen, including police, army and other security operatives.

Attempts by Igbo leaders to mitigate the situation including the creation of Ebubeagu, the South East security network, were seen as acts of sabotage with Kanu and IPOB forbidding its existence, warning of dire consequences for anybody associating with them.

Now that the chicken seems to have returned home to roost, the same Kanu, IPOB and ESN, seem as helpless as the people who have become the victims of the onslaught. Like in the Libyan scenario, where every institution the NATO forces wanted to bomb was labelled, command and control centres, as they laboured to kill Muommar Ghadafi, every youth in the South East now lives in fear of being labelled a member of IPOB or Unknown Gunmen, willy-nilly! The implication of this is at best arrest and torture if not outright death, given the order of the new IG.

Yet, this must not be an excuse to take the eyes off the ball as to the issue at hand particularly the much-advertised raison d’etre attributable to the situation. After all, there is no IPOB or ESN in Kaduna, where thousands have been slaughtered. There is no IPOB in Jos, Taraba or Benue. Even in Zamfara and Katsina, there is neither IPOB nor ESN, even as they continue to boil.

Besides, has anyone forgotten the controversial prediction of Obadiah Mailafia? The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), appears to be spot-on with his prediction of the sequence of events. Recall he had warned that the streets would become the next theatre of war in that famed 2020 interview, where he fingered the infamous Fulani herdsmen as the culprits.

Remember he also forewarned that the group, he argued was no different from terrorists, working with active cover from the government in power, would leave the bush and enter the towns as their next stage in the bid to take over Nigeria. Remember he warned that the entire rainforest, including the South East, has been surrounded and the actual war would break out in 2022. Doesn’t the present situation look exactly like that eerie scenario he predicted?

In the end, whether it is Uzodimma’s reading of political motives, IPOB’s ISIS bent or Mailafia’s Fulani herdsmen doomsday prediction, the fact remains that the current situation is beyond the ordinary and requires extraordinary measures to counter in order to avoid the monumental catastrophe that is coming.

What to do? There must be a rallying cry. Every hand must be on the deck to save the situation in Imo. South East governors must rally behind their colleague in Imo, forgetting all political inclinations. Igbo leaders home and abroad must oil their contacts, domestic and international to get the world intervene in the situation. IPOB must tone down its rhetoric and refrain from giving impetus to the odious situation. Those in the professions – journalists, lawyers, rights activists and social crusaders, trade unions, traders associations – everybody must pool resources together to save the situation.

Those who still hug the idea of making it an Uzodimma affair with the aim of vanquishing him, either for individualor politicall purposes, may soon discover the hard way that they are treading the wrong road that could only lead to perdition. Whatever dispute exists must give way immediately. The wise counsel of the elders that there must be a concerted effort to save the chicken from the hawk first before retiring to question why it wandered towards the bush.

For the governor, his role is to ensure that he is not complicit in the entire gory scheme. Unlike many others, no Igbo man is unaware of the consequences of blood. Shedding of blood, especially of the innocent is the height of crime any Igbo man would commit. This much was depicted in the fall of Okonkwo, when he slew Ikemefuna in Chinua Achebe’s classic – Things Fall Apart. A lover of whites with the trademark red cap, which signifies purity, the governor ought to be aware of the damage the splash of innocent blood would do to his being as an Igbo, a prominent one for that matter.

Against this backdrop, he must ensure that only the guilty get their fair comeuppance while the innocent are let off the hook. Already, there are stories of indiscriminate arrests of the innocent, apart from the mass killings of youths.

One of them was the trending video of a woman, who claimed that his son was spirited away from her restaurant at Ogbo Oshishi market by some unidentified policemen. There are many more of such. The governor, must try his best within his limited powers even as the Chief Security Officer of the state to personally inquire into these agonising stories. If it takes visiting the suspects and individually interviewing them to ensure that the innocent do not suffer, it would suffice. Nothing should be too much sacrifice to achieve that end.

Unfortunately, he must rely on the same security operatives to get at the root of the matter and carry out these duties in this regard. Any Nigerian with a faint idea of how the system works know that the present situation presents a bazaar opportunity for the police and other security agents, who not only love to vent their frustrations on the vulnerable in the society, but use them as a meal ticket at periods like this. The rest of the story could only be imagined.

Thankfully, the IG’s kill and go order did not go unchallenged as some prominent Ndigbo have taken him on. No less is expected in rallying behind Uzodimma at this time. For as the Igbo say: Ihe ka nte bakwutere nte n’onu (A stronger predator has entered the hole of the cricket). Agwo no n’akirika (the snake has find its way into the dry grass).

Posted by Sunny Igboanugo | 29 May 2021, 07:19pm

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Features

Adewunmi to LCC! Forgive, forget, reconcile, be agreed! *Begins final term

Published

1 week ago

June 3, 2026

Whirlwindnews

Seyi Adewunmi, President of the Lagos Country Club (LCC), launched into his third term in office on Tuesday, with the eternal words with which William Shakespeare depicted the pleas of King Richard 11 to British noblemen at daggers-drawn in his forecourt, some 431 years ago – forgive, forget, reconcile and be agreed.

It was his way of offering his olive branch to seek healing for members still lacerated with old wounds of the bitter battle for the soul of the club, which ended up in courtrooms after failure to settle it inside the games-room, the tennis courts and other troubleshooting arenas.

Flanked by his wife, Ify, whose contribution he lavishly acknowledged, Adewunmi, at his inauguration at the club’s main hall, apparently recalling the incident, which nearly crippled affairs at the family club, said: “To those who are still aggrieved, I speak to you now, directly and without condition. Whatever the disagreement, the Club is bigger than any single dispute, and its future is far more important than any lingering bitterness.

“Whatever the words that were said or the decisions that felt unjust, I invite you, today, to lay it down. No dispute is worth dividing us. I extend to you my open hand and my open heart. This is your club. It needs you. I need you.

“The chapter we are about to write is better written together and it MUST be written. So please sheathe your swords. Come home. The gates are open, the seats are ready, and the work is too important for any of us to sit it out.”

The President, who was full of praises for the club’s Board of Trustees, was particularly enthused with the contributions of Aare Kola Oyefeso, the leader of the exulted body, whom he described as “a conscience and compass of this club,” for donating his wealth of experience.

Hear him: “To our Board of Trustees, and to Chief Kola Oyefeso in particular, I offer my deepest respect. You have been the still, small voice of wisdom in the seasons of noise.

“Every time this Presidency needed an elder’s hand on the shoulder, you were there. The Management Council and the Board have not merely coexisted during my tenure, we have collaborated, and the Club is better for it. I am indeed very grateful sir.

Expressing similar gratitude to other members of the Management Council Officers and the Chairmen of the various Sections and their Committees as well as the members, he enjoined them to prepare for the task ahead.

He added: “I see you all. I greet you all. And I am profoundly glad to be standing here, still standing, before you today. Let me begin with a confession. When I first stood in this position three years ago, I made promises. Big promises. The kind that sound magnificent from a podium and look somewhat different at seven in the morning when the contractor has not shown up and the cheque has not cleared….but I did not run away.

“I did not make excuses. I did not hide behind procedure or blame my predecessors. I rolled up my sleeves, as you well know I am rather fond of doing, and I worked. Two terms. Hundreds of meetings. Thousands of decisions. One attempted character assassination which, I am glad to report, the character survived.

“And today, you have returned me unopposed for a third and final term. Not because I cannot be challenged. Not because the road ahead is smooth.

“But because you looked at my record, you weighed me as a man, you made your assessment, and you made your verdict. I receive this mandate with the full weight of gratitude and the full fire of purpose. Lagos Country Club — your President is back. And this time, we will finish the work.”

He also expressed gratitude for various members of the club, who had supported in many ways to keep it going, recalling particularly the donation of equipment worth millions of naira by Tunji Amosu, the Vice President of the club, saying such a selfless gesture defined the idea behind LCC as a family club.

Hear him: “He (Amosu) reached into his own pocket, deep into his pocket I might add, and donated equipment worth millions of Naira to our new clinic. Millions. I want to be clear: this was not government allocation. This was not a corporate write-off. This was one man saying, ‘I believe in this Club enough to invest my own resources in its wellbeing.’ That is the spirit of Lagos Country Club at its finest, and it deserves to be celebrated.

“But let me also say that greatness is not only measured in millions. Gifts are never less precious than the grand gesture, and for this reason, I want to honour those who gave what they had, and gave it gladly. Confidence Yunusa (D12848) donated pillows to our clinic, and before you smile, those pillows matter. They speak of someone who thought about the comfort of a sick fellow member on a sick bed. That is love in action.

“Also, Femi Oduwole (D14027) gave us a water dispenser. Clean water. To all who gave in any measure: this Club sees you, this Management Council thanks you, the Board of Trustees appreciates you and history, as I speak is recording you.”

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Jim Nwobodo: The Sun shines, thrills, at ‘The Vanguard Awards’

Published

1 month ago

April 30, 2026

Whirlwindnews

By Sunny Igboanugo

Between sports and politics, it is difficult to ascertain which is more potent in delivering the dividends of popularity. But in a situation where the two are combined, what is the outcome? It is predictable – a two-fold if not multiple-fold of that.

Evidence of that reverberated last Saturday, when the floors of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Vitoria Island, Lagos, shook to its foundation, with the rooftops almost caving in, while announcing the entrance of Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo – a man adorned with the garlands from the two worlds after striding through them like a colossus.

For many youngsters who had wondered why the entire atmosphere at the main hall of the prestigious hotel echoed with Jiiimmm – jiiimmm – jiiimmm, the answer was not farfetched. The man that had just walked in had etched his name in the hearts of the people in many ways.

For instance, his tenure marked Nigeria’s most glorious era in sports. Everyone reckons with the Super Eagles of 1994 as the best squad in the country’s history – one that put the nation in global football reckoning. That, no doubt could easily be attributed in many ways to the Nwobodo magic.

As Minister of Sports and Youths Development, it was to his name that Nigeria not only won the 1994 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), for the second time it made its debut at the World Cup – the highest global football event.

In this glorious era, Nigeria found its name on the envious list of global sports – not only winning AFCON for the second time in 1994, appearing at the World Cup in the same year, becoming the number one in African football and number five in the world ranking it crowned it all by producing the Dream Team – the football squad that won the Olympics gold in football.

In that spectacular Olympics feat, the Nigerian contingents came back home with six medals – two golds, one silver and three bronzes – the best performance ever.

Even his foray into politics had a large component of sports in it, having led then Rangers Football Club of Enugu, as Chairman to its first major continental trophy – the African Cup of Winners in 1977. It was his launchpad into politics so much that his name and face were already quite familiar with the people.

From the position of the Chairman, Anambra branch of the defunct Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), he got elected as the first Executive Governor of the old Anambra State comprising what is today, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi States.

In the government that lasted from October 1, 1979 to October 1, 1983, he left a legacy that till date remains unmatched by succeeding governments – military and civilians – in infrastructure, education, hospitality among others.

Talk about the Nike Lake hotel, Nike, Enugu; old Anambra State Television, now split into Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) and Anambra State Television Service (ABS) Awka, Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUT), now split into Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and former Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH) Awka, now upgraded to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka.

There were also the Ikenga Hotels (with branches in Enugu, Onitsha, and Awka); the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu; Eha Amufu College of Education; and College of Education Nsugbe, Nsugbe, now Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe.

One of the most flamboyant politicians ever to strut the rostrum in Nigeria, Nwobodo, who cut the image of not only a consummate fashionista but one whose uniqueness stood him out among his peers, also made it to the National Assembly as Senator representing Enugu East in the class of ’99-2003.

Gifted with immense public appeal, with penchant to attract the crowd like honey to bees, the energy his entrance generated as well as the ululations at Saturday’s event, was only too natural and emblematic of a man used to stealing the show at public gatherings.

The spontaneous reactions were simply consequent upon which aspect of him impacted the motley crowd comprising the high and mighty. For those from the South East, many still basking in the reverberating echoes of the politics of pasts, it was still the iconic Jim that had just walked in – a hero, whose name still lit fires in their bellies.

For others, it was the entrance of the most iconic, most esteemed and most revered Igbo leader alive today. The language of the Ogene music and the electrifying performance of the troupe from the South East delivered that part of the message most clearly.

Others recalled the Jim Nwobodo, who as Minister, not inspired the resilience with which the Dream Team, Nigeria’s most of prestigious football team mesmerised the world including the duos of the almighty Brazil and Argentina and returned home with the gold medal from the Olympics and the fanfare that followed the outcome in the streets of Abuja to Lagos, Enugu to Kano and Port Harcourt.

Yet, many must have recalled the effervescent governor of the second republic in the league of progressives, made up of young, vibrant and visionary politicians of that era imbued with fresh ideas of how to move Nigerian into the league of developed nations.

But ultimately, many would surely see the figure that had just walked into that arena as one of the remaining political icons of the class of ’79 – in fact, one of the only two governors of that era still standing today outside Alhaji Awal Ibrahim of Niger State.

So, it was not for nothing that the crowd cheered endlessly as the ex-governor, ex-Minister and Senator made his grand appearance. Nobody would be in doubt that he deserved every bit of attention and recognition.

Any such doubts would be cleared not only by the deluge of ululations from the audience, sustained accolades from both the organisers and fellow recipients, but also by the quality of personalities accompanying the elder statesman, from his homestead, of course, led by Peter Mbah, Governor of Enugu State.

Now, how would this enchanting event have ended without introducing the angle of Pat Nwobodo, the delectable wife and soft side of the Jim brand.

The goddess of the Nigerian stock market, financial guru and former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD-CEO) of Savannah Bank Plc was there in tow.

Standing by her husband to whom she had graduated beyond a wife, partner, an ally a friend, to the major pillar along the path of the build-up and along the twist and turns of politics, statecraft, completed the picture of the evening.

Indeed, The Vanguard Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025, would be added to the list of the various trophies hanging on the walls of this octogenarian politician, sports enthusiast and administrator, leader of men and material and statesman extraordinaire.

But it certainly would not end there. The greater laurel is the imprint of his legacy in the hearts of his admirers as was showcased by the crowd which welcomed him with that loud ovation. That would be the more long-lasting – the more enduring.

For as the sage himself told the audience, while appreciating the recognition – getting awards while one was in power, could be good – but getting awards outside power, remained the more enduring, because it emblemised good memories – the best legacy of man on earth

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Ben-Chuks Nwosu, Ogbalike Nnewi: Another feather to the cap, as the doyen soldiers on

Published

8 months ago

October 27, 2025

Whirlwindnews

Nwosu

Despite consistent usage, it has remained a powerful reality, the age-long saying that the drum sounds for a great man – in life and at death. Rather than becoming a tiring cliché its reality continues to emerge as demonstrable evidence from time to time.

So, when on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the cap lowered on the head of Ben-Chuks Nwosu – astute lawyer, consummate politician, inimitable humanist, gifted public speaker and foremost community leader, it was not just another historic event, many of which have trailed him over the years, but a clear statement on the persona of the former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly – one meant to capture his import as a man who has conquered his territory and etched his name permanently on the sands of time.

The versatile lawyer and politician, was among the influential figures assembled for special recognition by Igwe Keneth Orizu 111, Monarch of the Nnewi ancient kingdom – one of the iconic traditional stools in Anambra State – to mark his 100 years of age and 62 years on the throne, as one of the features of the historic event.

The monarch, the oldest and longest reigning king in Nigeria was emphatic on why Nwosu made that list – it was an acknowledgement of his positive contributions, not only to the development of the ancient town, but to the advancement of humanity in general through his engagements in many aspects, especially his chosen career of law and his vocation as a politician.

Ostensibly, the royal father wanted to make that statement both as part of the records of his reign and to demonstrate the essence of the biblical saying – to whom much is given, much is expected – and how this son on of Nnewi land had over time, fits that bill perfectly.

For instance, not only the monarch, the people of Anambra, if not the conscious world, bore and still bear witnesses to how, the primus inter pares of the Anambra legislature, Nwosu unsheathed his sword from the scabbards to confront the political hounds that attacked the state at that time, in defence of his territory – democracy.

The echoes of that historic period in the state, have continued to reverberate across the firmament, while the imprimatur has continued to be evident in demonstrably bold terms even now, as the doyen has again donated himself to yet a fresh battle – that of rescuing the people of Anambra from the abyss of despair as the state approaches the edge of the precipice where the current minders are driving it, through bad policies and unwholesome politics.

Currently, the Chief of Staff (CoS) of the John Chuma Nwosu (JCN) Campaign Council, the ex-lawmaker, has become a central voice for the new advocacy in Anambra by JCN – the man, who has taken it as duty to rescue the state and reverse the evil political vehicle, fast galloping towards that inevitable destruction.

Ndubuisi Nwobu, Deputy Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at the hosting of members of the council at a reception organised at his Nnewi country home, shortly after the event at the Igwe’s palace, spared no words in acknowledging this aspect of the former Speaker’s persona, particularly his contributions to both politics and human development in Anambra State and beyond.

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Nwosu takes traditional greetings with Igwe Orizu

For Nwobu, himself one of the biggest names in Anambra political arena, bearing the scars of its different political wars, it was a recognition of a fellow warrior in the battlefield and a colleague in arms, whose contributions are vital for the mission at hand.

The former Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who represented the governorship candidate at the event was emphatic in guaranteeing that Nwosu would neither relent or be deterred by the arsenal of war being assembled by the anti-democratic, anti-progressive and clearly negative forces in the state, who seem intent on relentlessly asphyxiating it of life.

Hear him: “There is greater work ahead and I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll live up to expectation, because your passion for the service to mankind is exceptional. Whatever you set your mind on, you pursue it with so much gusto and vigour, as if your life depends on it. For you, there’s always no going back.

“Congratulations. The entire campaign council greets you. We thank you for what you have done and have no hesitation in our belief that with your contributions to this onerous task, we’re going to triumph. Remain strong. May the good Lord continue to strengthen you in the name of Jesus.”

Before Nwobu spoke, Prof. Zelinjo Igweze, Director, Women Mobilisation and Dr. CC Okeke, Deputy Director General (DDG) Political Matters, had also spoken in the same manner, paying glowing tribute to the Nnewi-born political juggernaut.

Ike Iwenofu, accomplished Engineer and Director General of the council, had earlier in his tribute on behalf of the members, also acknowledged Nwosu’s towering profile and invaluable contributions to the campaign efforts.

He wrote: “The entire John Chuma Nwosu Campaign Council bursts with joy as we celebrate our indefatigable Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Barr. Benchuks Nwosu, on this glorious day of honour and recognition by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr. Kenneth Orizu III of Nnewi, during the historic Centenary Birthday Celebration.

“This royal honour is not just a mark of distinction, but a celebration of character — a recognition of your steadfast loyalty, uncommon humility, and tireless service to humanity and our great movement. You have continued to distinguish yourself as a pillar of strength and a shining example of leadership, loyalty, and integrity. Your honour today reflects the values we hold dear — service, excellence, and commitment to the greater good.

“We rejoice with you, Ogbalike Nwachinemelu, and pray that this recognition opens even greater doors of favour, grace, and impact in your journey ahead. A thousand cheers to a worthy son, a noble leader, and a loyal ally!”

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Nwosu with Nwobu

But for the man of the moment, the event evoked memories decked in family history, particularly depicting a family of warriors, whose essence was captured in the roles they played in defence of the territorial integrity of the Obuofia Nnewi enclave in the years of yore.

He tells the story: “My father, Nwoke Modo was a warrior and it became his assignment to move from Obuofia to wage wars against our attackers. Where we live now is called Agawana, meaning war trenches. So, Eze Ugbuonyanta, the great grandfather of the person that gave me this title today, named him Ogbalike. That means, when things get tough, he is invited.

“So, when this came up about a year ago, I told the Igwe that I had a senior brother, but they said the knew the history, but that this was given to me in recognition of the special role I played as Speaker, particularly during the impeachment saga (of former governor, Peter Obi.)

“They said I proved some genetic trails when I did not betray him as then Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Council and I did not betray Dr. Dozie Ikedife, who was the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. So, this has been in the making for more than a year. In line with tradition, I had to let my elder brother know and he gave his consent that I could go ahead and take our grandfather’s title. That’s what I have done today. Since he was a warrior, they felt that the role I had played in Anambra politics akin to that of a warrior, hence the title.”

With this historic aspect, it might no longer be surprising to anyone the line the former Speaker is toeing, why his battle-weary body is lacerated with the scars of war and why his path both in politics, law and other endeavours is strewn with courage and forthrightness. It lives in the family – an acknowledgement that Ogbalike Nnewi is not just a title, it is history!

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