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Unprecedented: Enugu guber aspirant supports Govt with 5.4km ashphalt road
It was an unprecedented feat. A rare show of philntrophy and support to the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s rural development programme.
With drainages on both sides of the road, the project was outstanding. It was a beauty. The stretch was also unprecedented. It was a prayer answered for the rural Communities who benefitted from the project.
The mammoth crowd that gathered during the commissioning Friday, May 6th, 2022, were shocked that an individual could go this far for a government he believes in.
The 5.4km Amagunze road delivered to the Enugu State government by Capt. Evarest Nnaji was personally commissioned by the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The Governor who could not hold back his excitement described the road as “a wonderful project deserving of our commendation.”
The Governor also said that those who wish to be remembered make tough choices just like Odengene has made.
“Chief Nnaji, I laud you for this uncommon feat and pray that the Almighty, most merciful and most loving God will bless and give you good health.”
The Governor added that his administration is fully committed to identifying with such projects, from flag-off to inauguration and enjoined “all well-to-do and public-spirited individuals to support the delivery of public goods to Ndi Enugu”.
On his part, Odengene said he got drawn to the Governor because he’s “God’s man” who places God in everything he does. A man that never care about peoples past.”
The philanthropist went on to say that he watched what the Governor is doing from a distance and “I got convinced you’re a good man.
“Our Governor goes to the rural areas, people who ordinarily will never be remembered, fix their roads and will not demand any unnecessary publicity. You have connected so many hinterlands and made life easier for them.
“By my own count and what I have read, you have built over 700km of roads in one administration, yet, nobody is talking about it and he doesn’t care.”
“I have two cogent reasons why I undertook the construction of this road. One is about what you are doing in this state. This encouraged me to support the government in this direction because, the government can’t provide road for every place at the same time.
“The road connects four autonomous communities that are very productive and this will aid them in moving their produce to the market in what you are doing in other rural communities.”
He also commended the transformation strides of the Governor in the areas of sports development and health stressing that these interventions will improve the economy of the state in no small way and called on Ndi Enugu to support the Governor because he’s a sincere person while praying to God to enlarge his coast and give him higher grounds to continue serving the public.
In his remarks, Eze Agadi II of Ihuokpara, HRH, Igwe SA Nwatu, who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers said today is a great day in their lives adding that the Governor is blessed and has a good God who takes care of his own.
The revered traditional ruler revealed that the OAS Chairman, Nnaji didn’t start today as his philanthropy dates back to decades ago when he was doing remedial work on the road that connects them to other parts of the state repeatedly, stressing that he didn’t start the transformation of rural areas today.
He also said that Odengene played a vital role in the creation of Nkanu East Local Government Area stressing that he has been with them
Hon. Sydney Okey Edeh, Council Chairman, Nkanu East Local Government, in his remark thanked the Governor for coming to their place despite his tight schedule.
Speaking on the massive road project, Hon. Edeh said it’s a clear demonstration of the saying “When the righteous persons are in power, good things happen” and commended Odengene whom he said he has been hearing of his good deeds as a child and even in his adulthood, he’s still doing good and thanked him immensely for his good works in Nkanu East.
In his speech, Hon Okey J. S. Nwatu, the President General of Isienu Amagunze, said aside the multi million naira road project, Captain Everest Nnaji “has equally embarked on other numerous programmes to better the living standard of our people, some of which are award of scholarship to deserving sons and daughters of our communities and beyond up to university level.
“He contributed immensely to the creation of Nkanu East LGA and the construction of some structures therein, he designed and contributed to the construction, completion and beatification of Holy Innocent Catholic Church, Amagunze and other humanitarian projects, too numerous to mention.
Other speakers at the event which includes Rt. Hon. Princess Peace Nnaji, Commissioner for Gender and Social Development, The former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Her Lordship, FS Emehelu, SPA to the Governor on Agriculture, Engr. Mike Ogbuekwe took turns to thank the Governor for the enablement and hailed Odengene for the project.
Ferotex CEO, Chief Festus Onu, while speaking on the road thanked the Governor for all the opportunities in the state, Odengene for giving them the job and the people of Amagunze for their support all through the time the construction lasted adding that the work was delivered according to specifications and on time too.
Other dignitaries at the event include: the speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Edward Ubosi, Member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Nkanu East and West, Nnoli Nnaji; Rt. Hon. Paul Nnajiofor; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information Barr. Steve Oruruo; the Chairman of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Chief Ikeje Asogwa; the Chairman, Governing Council of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Chief Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo; the Chairman, STVSMB, Dr. Gabriel Ajah; the Chief Executive Officer of Ferotex Construction Company Limited, Chief Festus Onu; Dr. Tony Okam, and the traditional rulers from the council area, PDP Ex-Officio Princess Nneka Okoro, Auxiliary Bishop, His lordship, Most Rev Ernest Obodo, former Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev Bishop Gbuji, etc.
The Methodist Church Nigeria has honoured the General Manager of the Enugu State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Hon. Monday Diamond Ani, with the prestigious “Apostle of Faith Award” in recognition of his outstanding humanitarian services and contributions to community development.
The award was presented by the Methodist Diocese of Akegbe, Aninri and Awgu Archdiocese (AAA) under the leadership of Rt. Rev. C. Orji, the Methodist Bishop of AAA Diocese, Enugu.
According to the Church, the honour was bestowed on Hon. Ani in acknowledgment of his selfless commitment to community development, social welfare, and humanitarian service over the years. The Church noted that his contributions have transcended political considerations and have positively impacted countless lives across communities.
His consistent humanitarian interventions have earned him the popular title “Odoziobodo”, meaning “one who builds and restores communities.”
Hon. Ani is widely regarded as a passionate advocate for community service, driven by a desire to improve living standards and promote love, unity, and a sense of
belonging among the people. His dedication reflects Christ’s teaching on the greatest commandment—love for God and love for one’s neighbour—placing service to humanity at the centre of purposeful living.
Due to his unavoidable absence, the award was received on his behalf and later presented to him at his office by Dr. Okechukwu Animba, Vice President (South-East) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
Responding to the honour, Hon. Ani expressed profound gratitude to Rt. Rev. C. Orji and the entire Methodist Diocese for recognising his humanitarian efforts. He prayed for God’s continued grace and strength to serve humanity and touch more lives through his work.
He also appreciated his principal, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, for appointing him to lead the CSDA, an agency charged with driving community interventions and sustainable development across the state.
When the Enugu State House of Assembly adopted the report of its Special Committee on Land Matters and Disputes in 2024, many observers described it as a watershed moment in the long-running controversy surrounding the Centenary City land in Amechi and Obeagu communities.
The report attracted national attention because it tackled a dispute that had generated numerous court cases, allegations of intimidation, destruction of property, community unrest, and claims involving some of the most influential figures in the state.
For many residents of Amechi and Obeagu, the Assembly’s intervention provided the first official platform where their grievances appeared to receive impartial consideration. The committee’s findings were widely commended for their detailed examination of the circumstances surrounding the acquisition and development of over 1,097 hectares of ancestral land.
At the heart of the controversy was the allegation that Private Estates International West Africa Limited (PEIWA), operating under a development agreement with the Enugu State Government, relied on questionable documents to assert rights over vast portions of land originally linked to a proposed university project initiated during the administration of former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Jim Nwobodo.
After reviewing submissions from the parties, the Assembly committee identified several inconsistencies in documents connected with the acquisition process. Among its findings were concerns regarding the authenticity of a survey plan purportedly prepared for the “Permanent Site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology” in 1985, despite the fact that Enugu State had not yet been created at that time.
Controversial Enugu Centenary Land: A Daniel Has Come To Judgement
The committee also questioned the authenticity of signatures and official endorsements appearing on key documents, including survey records, gazette notices, and correspondences allegedly executed on behalf of traditional authorities in Amechi and Obeagu communities.
Based on these findings, the committee concluded that the host communities had established that they were not properly carried along in the acquisition process and recommended dialogue, compensation, government intervention, and a comprehensive audit of lands developed under the Centenary City project.
At the time, many hailed the report as evidence that the legislature was willing to confront powerful interests in defence of justice and accountability.
Two years later, events appear to have given fresh significance to those findings.
Today, Kingsley Eze, Chamberlin Mbachu and Private Estates International (W.A.) Limited are facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court, Enugu, in connection with the alleged forgery of a survey plan linked to the disputed acquisition of ancestral lands in Amechi and Obeagu communities.
According to the charge sheet in Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/84/2025, the defendants are accused of conspiring to forge a survey plan titled “Permanent Site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology” purportedly dated 1985.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants knowingly made or uttered the survey plan as a genuine document despite its alleged falsity. The offences are said to be punishable under relevant provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The criminal charges have drawn renewed attention to the conclusions reached by the Enugu State House of Assembly in 2024, particularly its observations regarding inconsistencies surrounding the same survey plan and related acquisition documents.
The developments have also prompted further advocacy from civil society organisations. The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Police Monitoring Unit to take over investigations and prosecutions connected with the dispute, investigate allegations of misconduct against certain police officers, and review criminal proceedings allegedly used for harassment and intimidation.
In a separate petition dated May 28, 2026, RULAAC also urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in two criminal cases pending before the Federal High Court, Enugu, citing repeated failures by law enforcement authorities to produce defendants for arraignment.
The cases include Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/84/2025, IGP v. Kingsley Eze & 2 Others, and Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/222/2024, IGP v. Alex Ifeadi & 2 Others.
As the criminal proceedings continue, many observers believe the matter has entered a decisive phase. The allegations that were once the subject of community petitions, legislative inquiries and public debate are now before a court of law for determination.
Whether the Assembly’s 2024 report marked the beginning of accountability or merely one chapter in a much longer struggle remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the issues raised by the Amechi and Obeagu communities have not faded away. Instead, they have evolved into a legal test that could shape public confidence in land administration, governance and the rule of law in Enugu State for years to come.
If the legislative findings, criminal investigations and court proceedings ultimately converge on the truth, then many residents may indeed conclude that, at long last, a Daniel has come to judgment.
Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”
The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.
They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.
According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.
The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.
The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”
The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.
It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.
Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
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