ENUGWU-UKWU, the clan head of Umunri clan is located on big hills within the Central Senatorial District of Anambra State. This historic town has produced human and material resources that played leading roles in the economic and political history of Old Eastern Region of Nigeria.

For instance, a pioneer construction company, Eastern General Contractors Ltd, EGC, founded by its indigenes, the late Chiefs D. A. Nwandu and D. O. Okafor Oba I and Whum III of Enugwu Ukwu respectively built virtually all the infrastructure in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

As the reputable contractors who played leading roles in the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens , NCNC, and devoted substantial sums of money to the party, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dr. M. I. Okpara found them trustworthy and willing allies in the development of the Region when they served as Premier between 1954 and 1966.

Arising from these leading roles, Chief Nwandu who later became Oba I of Enugwu Ukwu was appointed the first Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria representing the Old Eastern Region of Nigeria.

He was also later elected Mayor of Enugu in the First Republic. Other indigenes of the town who played leading roles in the construction industry and political life of Nigeria include Chief R. O. Nkwocha, Chief FGN Okoye, Chukwuemeka Udenze, Chief Moses Obiekwe, Chief D.O. Nkwonta, Chief Peter Okoye (all late) and R.N. Okeke, Ezuo Enugwu Ukwu na Umunri.

However, the indigene of the town who played the greatest role in the political history of Nigeria was His Royal Majesty Igwe Osita Agwuna III, Igwe Umunri na Eze Enugwu Ukwu who passed on a few years ago. It was Igwe Agwuna who delivered the lecture titled: “A Call for Revolution” in Lagos during the struggle for Independence under the auspices of the Zikist Movement. For their roles in the Movement, himself, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Mokwugo Okoye and others were arrested, tried and sent to various terms of imprisonment. It still remains a matter of deep regret that this big masquerade in the political history of Nigeria died unsung and unappreciated by the nation he gave so much to.

All approaches to the Federal Government to give him a belated but richly deserved National Honour, even if posthumous, have received negative response. Yet we delight in our sing-song of the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain. Who is deceiving who? A governor with sense of history and heroism will not allow this continued act of omission or commission on a very worthy indigene of his state. Yet the state governor is an acknowledged friend and ally of President Goodluck Jonathan and his government.

Enugwu Ukwu indigenes have also blazed the trail in community development projects from the old Eastern Region of Nigeria, to East Central State and the present Anambra State.

The first General Hospital in the Region built by a community was opened in 1962. Similarly Enugwu Ukwu women in the same year contributed 72,000 pounds for the construction of a water scheme, the first in the region by a community. A few years later, about six indigenes of the town built a post office for the use of the indigenes and residents. In 1982 the Enugwu-Ukwu Civic Centre, a gigantic edifice and first of its kind in the state was opened. This complex served as the first House of Assembly for the newly created Anambra State in 1991.

One would expect that the efforts of a community whose indigenes are ever ready and willing to partner with government in the provision of amenities will be appreciated and encouraged. Regrettably, the community has been having a raw deal in the hands of various governments of Anambra State.

In spite of the very huge population of Enugwu Ukwu (it was a one town state constituency in the Second Republic), and the enormous human capital available in the community, none of its members has been found worthy of appointment into the State Executive Council or even Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman in the past nearly eight years except one flash in the pan at the inception of the Peter Obi administration. A recent appointment of a retired Permanent Secretary as Special Adviser is mere tokenism. The Enugwu Ukwu community deserves much more than that.

About two or three people who held brief tenure as members of the State Executive Council in the goverments of Dr. Mbadinuju and Chris Ngige were appointed on their personal relationship with the governors. Since Governor Peter Obi mounted the saddle in the past seven and half years, the Enugwu-Ukwu people have been wondering what sin they committed that the Governor is punishing them for.

As far as he is concerned the people of Enugwu-Ukwu do not exist. Only a few months ago, the Governor opened the Nawfia byepass, a link off the Awka-Onitsha Expressway to the Old Road. All the neighbouring towns along the express road have bye pass to the Old Road except Enugwu-Ukwu. Anambra, Umuokpu, Nawfia, Abagana and so on.

The Enugwu-Ukwu people have on many occasions humbly requested the Governor to give us this very important link from the express road to the Old Road. He has failed, neglected, refused to do this. Instead the state government continues to toy with the destiny of Enugwu Ukwu by appointing, dissolving and re-appointing different caretaker committees for the town, a situation that creates more confusion than harmonious existence among the indigenes.

These obvious acts of neglect and abandonment of Enugwu Ukwu Community by the different administrations concepts of Anambra State since 1991, and especially that of Governor Peter Obi are deeply regrettable but the good people of the community believe that no condition is permanent and that after the darkness comes the glorious dawn. Their yoke under Governor Obi will be over in some month’s time. The Enugwu Ukwu community however assures Governor Obi that the Enugwu Ukwu bye pass will become a reality after he leaves office. The community will then be in a position to tell him “This man is not our God”.

Mr.  SAM EKPE, a political analyst, wrote from Abuja.