SENATOR JIM NWOBODO’S KINSMEN REAFFIRM DONATION OF LAND TO HIM, SUE FOR PEACE

REPORTER: CHRISTIAN NWANGENE

The people of Amechi-Uno and Amechi-Awkunanaw Autonomous communities, formerly known as Amagugwu-Amechi-Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area, have resolved to work together for the progress of the area, while urging agrieved members of the communities to join forces to uplift the people.

They made the resolution through a communique issued at the end of their General Assembly meeting held on 13th November, 2021 at “Ihuani Obeagu na Amechi” Square.

Stakeholders from both communities took turns to reaffirm their loyalty and respect to a former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo.

According to the people, they remained closely knitted in unity to the customs of the communities, which include honesty, peace, fairness and equity in handling traditional and adminstrative affairs of the community.

The people also upheld their decision that informed the donation of their land at Akani, Amagugwu Amechi Awkunanaw to their son, and former Senator, Jim Nwobodo, in 1981 for the establishment of Satellite Newspapers.

They, however, expressed dismay with what they described as emerging threats to the very fabric that bound the communities together.

This according to them is the alleged propaganda and falsehood being sponsored in the electronic, print and social media platforms by some people in the community over the said land, which the community had donated unconditionally to the former Governor in 1981.

Part of the communique read: that We, the people of Amagugwu Amechi Awkunanw Community, hereby state loud and clear, for records and official purposes, that the land situate at “Akani”, Amagugwu Amechi Awkunanaw where the defunct Jupiter Press Ltd (Satellite Newspapers) had stood, was unanimously, unconditionally and gratuitously donated to Senator Jim Nwobodo, in 1981, under the Chairmanship of late Chief Okafor Nnamani, during His Excellency’s grand reception as the Executive Governor of old Anambra State, and in appreciation of the enviable role he had played in enthroning enduring peace between the people of Amagugwu Amechi Awkunanaw and our neighbouring community, Amagu Ibite Akegbe Ugwu who were then locked in a land dispute, part of which was the subject matter of this discourse, even after the Supreme Court of Nigeria, had ruled in favour of the people of Amagugwu Amechi Awkunanaw in Suit No. SC/235/66.”

The communiqué further read: “That We, the people of Amagugwu Amechi Awkunanaw, our council of elders and the leadership of our communities, in order to straighten up the facts in defense of truth and to accord respect, honour and to uphold the sacredness of the sanctimonious deeds and ordinances of our people, solemnly resolved and ratified in a General Assembly of our people in 1981, in favour of our worthy son, distinguished Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, hereby reassure the general public, for records and official purposes, that the said land housing the defunct Satellite Newspapers, for all intents and purposes, belongs to Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo.

“That by this communiqué, we the people of Amagugwu Amechi Awkunanaw, like the Biblical Pontius Pilate, in a bid to wash our hands off the warped and weather-beaten propaganda over the land in question, and in keeping with our traditions of upholding the values of our ancestors, further state that the said land belongs to Senator Jim Nwobodo, unfettered, in perpetuity and without any encumbrances and that anyone who claims otherwise is set out on the frolics of his own, on a wild goose chase and irredeemably on the path of self-destruct.”

Signatories to the four-page statement included: Igwe Daniel Ani Nnamani, Mr. John Nwankwo, Chief Bernard Orji, Elder Daniel Agbo Nnamani, Mr. Philip Okwudiri Ani, Chief John Ogbe Ngene, Elder Onyemaechi Chukwu Aninweze, Pastor Cyprain Chukwu, Elder Matthew Ugwu, Ogeyi Uwakwe Arum and Mr. Chigbogu Nnamani, for themselves, and on behalf of the entire Amagugwu Amechi Awkunanaw community.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, the traditional ruler of Amechi-Uno Autonomous Community, who is also Chairman Awkunanaw Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Daniel Ani Nnamani, explained how the land was donated to Senator Jim Nwobodo.

“The people that gave Jim Nwobodo land were not a single person, Amagugwu General Assembly led by late Chief Okafor Nnamani our leader, which I was one of the executive then.

“So, Senator Jim Nwobodo made a permanent peace with Amagugwu and Amagu Ibite and our people deemed it necessary to appreciate the good work of His Excellency, Chief Dr. Jim Ifeanyi Nwobodo free.

“So I was surprised that some people in our community ganged up and sued him. We’re here today to say that what we said in 1981, we’re still saying it today being 13th November, 2021.

“We’re still saying that the land belongs to Senator Jim Nwobodo and he is free to use it to do whatever he likes to do with it,” he said.

Also, Chief John Omedoaku-Ngene, who was the then youth leader, Amagugwu-Amechi-Awkunanaw in 1981 when the land was donated to the former Governor, appealed to those contesting the decision of the community to respect the will of the community.

Also speaking on the issue, the Chairman, Nze-na-Ozo Amechi Awkunanaw, and Chairman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu South Local Government Area, Chief Emma Ugwu, said the people did not want the name of the community to be dragged into dispute, insisting that the community had not authorized anyone to drag the land with Senator Nwobodo.

The Convener of the meeting and Acting President General, Amechi Awkunanaw, Community, Mr. Chukwudi Nwankwo, explained the reason for the gathering.

“This meeting became so necessary because of the turmoils we started noticing in our place of recent, where some people are laying claim to a property we jointly gave to our illustrious son, H.E Senator Jim Nwobodo. That’s the main reason why we called this meeting so as to strengthen our position on this matter, that’s the essence of this meeting.

“And also, we want to use this meeting to call on the two communities that made up Amagugwu, because the land was given under the umbrella of Amagugwu not by any of these Communities (Amechi-Uno and Amechi Awkunanaw).

“So it is those people that gave that land in those days that we called here today to hear from them so as to put the records straight, so that we don’t misunderstand ourselves.

“The resolutions we’ve reached today will enlighten the younger ones so as to know the community’s position with respect to that land.

“Secondly, we want to use this opportunity to call those people that are erring to order so that we want to make a very peaceful community, we want a community where everybody will be happy living in peace too,” the Acting PG explained.

The Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Mr. Monday Ene, who is also from the area, said he was always disposed to identify with any initiative that would promote peace, and unity in all the communities under his jurisdiction.

“The purpose for which I’m here is to make sure that peace reigns in my Community, and in my usual manner. I’m always disposed for any initiative for unity and peace in all the communities within my area of jurisdiction.

“As Chairman, I’m for everybody and for every Community, so I always stand on the side of the truth, on the side of unity and on the side of peace in emulation of the programmes of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who always preaches for peace,” the Council Chairman remarked.

An Anglican priest, and Vicar, Saint James Parish, Amechi-Uno Community, the Reverend Chika Igwe, commended the initiators of the meeting, affairming that no progress could be achieved in absence of peace and the love.

The event attracted prominent personalities from Amechi-Uno and Amechi-Awkunanaw autonomous communities.