Umuezeala Nsu Autonomous Community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, is one that many would be proud to associate with. Several eminent personalities of this country hail from the community. In fact, but for the shenanigans in politics, one of its illustrious sons would have been the President of this country by now.
Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the immediate past Minister of State for Education, hails from there. The youthful star performer was once a first-rate member of the House of Representatives, a former chairman of TETFUND, and was in a Frontline contender for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, before l Nigeria’s usual ‘politricks’ against the Igbo chekmated that dream.
There are several other Umuezeala -born topnotch personalities in various fields of endeavours at home and in the Diaspora that have impacted greatly on the development of this country. Among them are Nwajiuba’s elder brother, Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba, former Vice Chancellor of AE-FUNAI; Chuks Anamekwe, former acting Accountant General of the Federation, AGF; Chief Mahakwe Anyanwu, a retired director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Emma Agu, media impresario and former Managing Director of Champion Newspapers, Pastor Dickson Anyanwu of the Evangel Pentecostal Church, and Dr. Steve Madu, a Canada-based internationally acclaimed medical doctor, to mention but a few.
Umuezeala Nsu became an autonomous community 20 years ago, and on 23rd of December, 2003, the then Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, presented Eze Evaristus Emereonye Iwuji, Ogu Ugo 1 of Umuezeala Nsu, the Staff of Office and Certificate of Recognition as its monarch
That is why the community is rolling out the drums on December 27 to celebrate two decades of these epochal events.
Since the emergence the autonomous community and coronation of their king, Umuezeala Nsu has experienced peace and witnessed unprecedented steady progress.
Eze Iwuji, who is obviously excited to have been on the throne of his fathers for 20 years, is full of appreciation to God for His grace that picked him up and planted him on the throne. He is also full of thanks to his subjects for their support, and especially to those worthy sons of the town that have contributed to the advancement of the community.
He said: “It has not been easy but I thank God. It has been the grace of God all along. As is natural, some people would agree with you while others may not. This is especially so when they bring cases to you. Those who lose would say all sorts of things because they don’t want to hear the truth. If you handle ten cases, you would be sure of ten friends or ten enemies. Those that lose would count themselves as your enemies and start saying all kinds of nonsense whereas those that lose would regard you as a friend. Some feel that they matter so much you cannot do anything without them, and get annoyed if you don’t agree with them.
“However, a good leader should not be swayed by all these either way. He must trust God for the wisdom to stick to the truth and how to manage the people. Generally, the community is blessed by very many great minds, and I am proud of them; it is an honour to be their leader.
“There are many challenges but God sees one through. When you come up with an idea, some people insist on having it their way, and there will be trouble if you don’t agree with them. However, if God put you in a position of leadership, He would also direct you on how to go about it. It’s not easy but when God is on your side, you manage.
“There is nothing anyone can do without God. If you ask Him, He will direct you on how to overcome.”
The humble monarch expressed a sense of pride in some of his subjects that had attracted some valuable infrastructures to the area and expressed desire for more.
“I thank God for our children through whom some infrastructures have been located in our community. One of our illustrious sons, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, a former minister, who also aspired to become Nigeria’s president, brought the JAMB Centre and the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, campus to our community. He also brought the Mother and Child Hospital to Umuezeala. Chuks Anamekwe too, the former acting Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, helped to tar some of the roads in the community although, sadly, it did not reach my side. I believe when the time comes, my side too shall benefit, even as I appeal to the government to do more in this regard. We also need electricity. Though we are connected to light, it is a rare occurrence to see the light, and the bills are too high for the rural folk to bear. We need water supply too. We depend on people’s boreholes for our water needs. Worse still, due to the topography of our area, many people have spent millions sinking boreholes but were unable to get water. I believe the government can do better by making water available to the people. Our schools also need attention. They need to be well equipped and provide modern teaching aids as well as update teachers to make learning interesting.”
On the security situation, Eze Iwuji intoned: “The perilous security in the South-east is a very worrisome. I urge both the perpetrators and security operatives to be considerate. Nothing can be achieved by warfare and needless bloodshed. However, truly, I am grateful to God for our safety in this community. I also thank our Chief Security Officer, Chief Emma Ogbu, a retired police officer, and his team for the great job they are doing. There have not been many crimes in this community but even when criminals tried, they would not succeed. They had attempted to vandalise the NOUN but it could not work. Our youths are doing well too. I have told them to work hard to see that whatever our children brought here for our use must not be destroyed and they are doing that. They share the belief that when the community is good, it is good for all of us and vice versa. I have encouraged everyone to manage whatever has been brought here since nobody knows when another one will come.”
On his achievements on the throne, he said: “It would not be proper for me to name my achievements. I think other people would be in a better position to do that. However, my greatest achievement on the throne of my forefathers is the sustenance of peace in my domain.”
Eze Iwuji acknowledged that the government had done well for the traditional rulers but warned against meddling in the affairs of the natural rulers.
“The government needs the traditional rulers to succeed. However, they should not meddle in the affairs of their appointment. The government should give traditional rulers a constitutional role to play in government since they are the natural rulers and closest to the people. It is time the government spelt out the roles of traditional rulers and backed them up legally.
“I also want to advise the government to provide basic infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, water, etc. to the people. They should make food available and affordable. If the basic needs are provided for us in the rural communities, there would be no need for anyone to leave in search of greener pastures in the already congested cities. That will kill the urge to travel out because what you are seeking in Sokoto is in your shokoto.
Also, speaking on the anniversary, Chief Cajetan Mahakwe Anyanwu, Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, threw more light on the event.
He said: “The 20th Anniversary is being celebrated to glorify and worship God for his ever-abiding presence and abundant provisions for our community. It is meant to celebrate our Eze for his good leadership qualities; and share love, friendship, and communion amongst our people, in-laws, friends, and well-wishers.
“As a memorial to this great event, HRH Eze E E Iwuji, the Ogu-Ugo1, and his cabinet will confer chieftaincy titles on our deserving sons and daughters, in-laws, and friends of our community.”
Additionally, achievement awards shall be bestowed on those who have made substantial contributions to the development of the community on its journey to many more glorious years.