Enugu to use the in corrupted name before the coming of the colonialists has maintained it’s cosmopolitan outlook it was noted for which the colonialists took note of before settling down to savor her beauty and hospitality. The popularity of Enugu city grew much fonder with it’s beautiful plains and valleys observable from her hill top. How apt, our forebearers must have been in coining this name… Enugu (a city on a hill)! . Aside from the discovery of coal in the underbelly of the hill long years ago, Enugu has also remained true to it’s name. Has remained stoic solid, amassing the blessings of the Most High in the most uncommon way.
Enugu has remained a rallying city for the Igbos, just as Kaduna and Ibadan are for the Talakawas and the Yorubas respectively. Till date, no single Igbo elite would be worth that appellation, if he or she does not have a single block in Enugu where he or she can retire away from the maddening cities elsewhere.
Even with the unfortunate security breaches across the length and breath of the country, Enugu State has remained relatively peaceful. It is truly heart warming to observe the number of endorsement from various quarters and organizations about the relative peace and harmony which Enugu exudes.
One may not also need to wander far why peace has continued to occupy the center stage in Enugu in spite of the current security challenges in the country. Enugu has become a reference point to draw a comparison between chaos and tranquility. One is inundated by daily congregation of individuals and groups who troop into the city to have one program or another. These activities around the city of Enugu would remain unmatched. If it is not the Catholic Bishops conference holding, Enugu would yet be chosen to host the forum of the Southern Governors.
Underscoring the huge efforts and investments in the area of peace by Gov. Ugwuanyi, the South East Governors, it’s other political Leaders, stakeholders and Community Rulers yet chose Enugu as venue to brainstorm on the critical security challenges confronting the Geopolitical Zone at the moment. At the end of the brainstorming session, far reaching communique was issued, chief of which is the condemnation of the humongous killings of citizens in the southeast region by criminal elements codenamed unknown gun men.
The South East leadership also condemned the enforcement of the forceful sit at home order which is inadvertently crippling the South East economic fortunes.
The South East leadership summit while decrying the existence of the security threat in the region charged all hands to be on the deck to retrieve the region from the hands of the criminals who are bent on turning the region into a war zone. It specifically appealed to the traditional rulers and the clergy to interface with the youths who would be seen to be destroying their future and the entire society.
It is important to note that in the midst of all the talk and recommendations, governor Ugwuanyi had stood out as a colossus of peace. A lot has been written about him to buttress this point. More organizations and groups have equally garlanded him on account of this, including the recent razzmatazz in far away Istanbul, Turkey where Ugwuanyi was crowned the most peaceful man in the year 2021 by Nigerians living there and other Turkish investors and political leaders.
Citizens Beware!
Igbos are noted for speaking in proverbs. A proverb was made about a lion begeting a lion. It is often said that when a mother goat is chewing grass, it’s young would diligently learn how to chew the same grass. And so, if our Governor is a peaceful man, we must also endeavor to follow his footsteps. Working at cross-purposes will only breed confusion and rubbish all the praises showered on Ugwuanyi as a man of peace. I bet, the governor would never be in the mood to encourage chaos anywhere in the land of Enugu State as long as his term subsists and would never hesitate to bring the hammer down on any political or traditional leader no matter how highly placed or connected. For the second time in two months running, the government of Ugwuanyi has emphatically made this clear. Unfortunately, the second victim will be the Traditional Ruler of Amechi Awkunanaw Autonomous Community in Enugu South Local Government Area, Igwe Anthony Ogbodo Okorie who was suspended for not doing enough to stem the slide to anarchy in his domain. The first victim was the Igwe of Ihekwuenu Aku Autonomous Community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Igwe Christopher Everestus Okwor.
When Ugwuanyi is on the throne, peace and love must reign Supreme. Enugu would remain a peace haven in the face of security challenges around the country. Ugwuanyi is making Enugu better by placing her in the hands of God.
Bibian Anekwe News added – “A real leader uses every issue, no matter how serious and sensitive, to ensure that at the end of the debate, we should emerge stronger and more united than ever before” .
Written by
© Austin Okechukwu Chijioke.
A Public Affairs Commentator.
Media Team Member of ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
