Insecurity: ‘How we recovered 8 LGAs from unknown gunmen in Anambra- Gov. Soludo

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

The governor of Anambra State, Charles Chukwuma soludo and the chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Ike Neliaku, at the weekend, lamented over the spate of insecurity in the southeast region, especially in Anambra where unknown gunmen besieged and took over eight local government areas.

Soludo, Neliaku made this known while addressing participants during the one-day 2024 Southeast Media Summit and Awards ceremony held at Hilton Leisure Hotels, Awka, Anambra State capital.

The summit was organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Southeast zone, and was attended by prominent politicians, captains of industries, business moguls, clergy, academics, journalists, among others, who equally brainstormed on moving Southeast forward in all spheres of the economy.

Governor Soludo who was represented by the chief of staff, Ernest Ezeajughi, however commended the NUJ Southeast zone for a successful summit, stating that the state government has been able to create an enabling environment for rapid infrastructural development in the state.

He noted that igbo people are blessed and hardworking,but lamented the insecurity situation In Anambra State and by extension Southeast, prior to coming on board of governor Soludo, disclosing that eight Local government areas were besieged and taken over by unknown gunmen.

“But today, we have recovered the eight Local Government Areas and presently there is water-tight security in the state which has made the state a place to live in and transact business,” he further explained.

According to him, pregnant mothers are now exempted from payment of hospital bills and education made free from nursery to Junior Secondary School 3, stating that petty traders also are exempted from taxation/levies, among other benefits being rendered to the youths.

The NUJ Vice President zone c, Emma Ifesinachi, had earlier in his welcome address stated that the essence of the summit was for a way forward by the media and other stakeholders in the Southeast in the face of the present socio-economic and political quagmire confronting Nigeria.

High light on the occasion was the presentation of awards to six recipients who have distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavors.

Among them was the chairman of Ogboefele (cooperative society) market, Ogbaru, Nzubechukwu Innocent Munonye, who received the honour of, “Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award.”

Recall that Munonye, a philanthropist to the core and popularly called, “Nze Chukwu Gunye Gi,” by his admirers, had empowered scores of down trodden that included, 20 wheelbarrow pushers who were given #100,000 each, in memory of his late father who was a wheel barrow pusher in the market.

A cleric who is the General Overseer, and Presiding Bishop of Life of Faith Gospel Assembly Ministries Inc, Onitsha, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuezugo Obiorah, was also honoured as, “patron and Spiritual Director,” NUJ Southeast.

The Bishop who is the Chairman /Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Emos Best Industries ltd, manufacturers of healthy skin and body products, was honoured based on his religious atonement and assistance to humanity to make heaven.