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- Describes him as the greatest son of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu
From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The people of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have unveiled the statue of their traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu (Igwe Ogadagidi) in honour of his developmental strides in the community.
Speaking during the unveiling of the gigantic status at the Edem-Ani Central Round About on Tuesday, Edeoga David Ajibo (Onyishi Edem-Ani), the eldest man in the community said that elders council and the town union executives if the community decided to honor the monarch with his status in recognition of the development he brought to the community.
He said that the community that was abounded and forgotten by the government in terms of infrastructural development and social amenities can now boast of asphalt road, pipe burn water, free and functional hospital, steady electricity, fortified security guards, youths and women empowerment, among others courtesy of Igwe Ogadagidi’s magnanimity and philanthropic gestures.
“There’s no better way to appreciate and honour our traditional ruler for the good work he is doing in our community than erecting and mounting his status at the heart of the town.
“Igwe Ogadagidi’s interest and commitment to transforming our community into a modern township should be commended and encouraged by all and sundry.
“We will forever be grateful to him for his magnanimity to our community, our generation will continue to celebrate him and his story will be communicated religiously to our children and generation unborn,” he said.
Earlier in a remark, Mr. Emeka Ugwoke, President General, Edem-Ani Town Union, represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Grace Onyishi, said that the erection of the Igwe’s status was the brainchild of the elders’ council and some stakeholders in the community after the asphalting of the over two-kilometer access road to the community and other numerous things the monarch has done in the community.
“Today, the people of Edem-Ani are unanimous in acknowledging the need to show appreciation and give honour to who truly deserve it.
“Some stakeholders reasoned that it would be appropriate and indeed motivating to get the community behind these reference trophies through a concrete model that will be enduring.
“The endorsement of the elder’s council of the community was a product of the appreciation of the rare magnanimity of our industrious King who has unarguably impacted positively on the community than anyone else dead or living.
“This informs the voluntary donation of resources of these villagers to the construction of this memorable and our arrangements that it remains here in perpetuity despite the presence or otherwise of the Igwe, he said.
The PG appealed to well-to-do members of the community, as well as good-spirited individuals to emulate and channel parts of their resources in the development of the community.
Enumerating things the traditional ruler has done to the community, Mr. Ambrose Ezema, (MC Wakete) said that Igwe Ogadagidi built and equipped an ultra-modern, Free 20-bed hospital for the community, and pays monthly bills of over one million naira to doctors and other staff in the hospital.
“He recently constructed about 2.2 kilometers asphalt road leading from Odenigbo Nsukka to Edem-Ani, sponsored erosion control at Ugwu Aji, and has donated millions of naira for the reticulation of water in the community Edem-Ani.
“He has also donated millions of naira for Edem-Ani youths to set up businesses of their choice, as well as awarded scholarships to indigent university students and built a food bank where indigent members of the community eat for free daily.
“He Instituted a scholarship for graduates with that made 1st Class and 2nd Class Upper in essential courses to further their Master Degree in Europe, presently, about eight youths are doing their Master’s degrees programmes abroad,” he said.
Responding, Igwe Asadu said that erecting his statue while he was still alive was an eloquent testimony that Edem-Ani people loved and respected him as their traditional ruler.
“I am excited and humbled by this singular honour to me by my community in appreciation of numerous things l have done for them before and since I was coronated as the traditional ruler.
“What the community has done will challenge and motivate me to do more for them since to whom much is given much is expected,” he said.
Speaking further the Igwe said that the statue is the only property that will remain for him when he is no more.
“My cars, houses, and other property at home and abroad will be inherited by my wife and children but this statue will perpetually belong to me as nobody will inherit.
“My promise to Edem-Ani people is that the community will continue to be the home to ‘Next Big Thing’ as I will continue to use the wealth God gave me to develop the community as long as I am alive,” he said.
