JULY 10: ANAMBRA LIBERATION DAY
In Anambra State, every July 10 is our other Easter.
On Easter, Christ offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. He was crucified, died, was buried, and resurrected to bring salvation to mankind. Similarly—though not in the same spiritual sense—July 10, 2003, stands as the day one man staked his life to liberate Anambra State and lay the foundation for a new Socio-Political and economic order.
On that day, His Excellency, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige,MD, OON,CON, then Governor of Anambra State, was held hostage at gunpoint in his office for over 5hours at the Government House,Awka by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Raphael Ige (now deceased) then in-charge Nigerian Police Formation, Zone 9, assisted by more than 250 heavily armed mobile policemen. Their mission was to force the Governor to admit to having signed a letter of resignation.Dr. Ngige refused.
He refused to bulge and chose to stand with Ndi Anambra rather than surrender the state to the grip of political god-fathers and the systematic pillaging of public resources that would occur. His Tradducer s backed by immense support from Abuja at the Federal level, cordoned off both the Government House and the Anambra State House of Assembly in an attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government by requesting the House to admit the forgged Letter. When the Governor was later moved to Choice Hotel, Awka, where additional security personnel had been deployed, he displayed extraordinary courage by breaking free from captivity long enough to establish contact with the anxious nation. He announced that he was alive and had not resigned from office, contrary to the false claims already being circulated by his captors.
The rest, as they say, is history.
The dramatic events of that day have long passed, but their significance endures. Those of us who witnessed those historic moments—which includes Members of the State House of Assembly, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Special Assistants and other officials who served in that administration—have resolved to keep July 10 as a solemn day of remembrance. It is a day to honour the uncommon sacrifice of a leader who risked his life for the freedom of Anambra State and to remind ourselves that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
Inspired by the Governor’s courage, Ndi Anambra from every walk of life rallied together under what became known as the Anambra State Liberation Army, a people’s movement with the singular resolve to defend their Governor, protect the state and resist every attempt to return Anambra to years of the Locust.That unprecedented display of popular support became the bedrock upon which the administration delivered remarkable achievements.
*THE NGIGE RENAISSANCE*
Inspired by that organic display of support,the Ngige administration embarked on a far-reaching programme of reforms.
*Salaries, Pensions and Public Finance*
Within a short period, the administration cleared more than 100% percent of owed salaries and 75% of Pension arrears and paid all outstanding gratuities. It also issued an Executive Order placing the payment of salaries and pensions on First Line Charge, a policy subsequently backed by legislation enacted by the Anambra State House of Assembly. Pension figures were also increased by 134 percent.
The prompt payment of salaries and pensions, now largely taken for granted in Anambra State, can be traced to these landmark reforms.
*Road Infrastructure*
The administration tackled the state’s notoriously dilapidated road network, constructing over 800 kilometres of durable asphalt roads with reinforced concrete drainage systems across the three senatorial zones. Major construction companies, including RCC, Setraco and Nigercat, executed many of these projects.Almost all of these roads are still standing today, 22 years after they were constructed. Most with zero potholes.
Among the major roads completed were:
Isuochi–Owerre Ezukala–Ogbunka–Umunze–Umuchu–Amesi–Uga–Ezinifite–Igboukwu Road.
Otuocha–Aguleri–Umuleri–Nteje–Awkuzu–Ifite Dunu–Abagana–Eziowelle–Abatete–Uke–Ideani–Alor–Nnokwa Road.
Nnobi–Nnewi–Ozubulu–Ihembosi–Okija–Ihiala Road.
Isseke–Orsumoghu–Ukpor–Utuh–Nnewi–Awka Etiti Road.
Amawbia–Nibo–Mbaukwu–Agulu Road.
Onitsha–Atani–Osemala–Ogwu–Ikpere Road.
Extensive reconstruction of Onitsha township roads, including Modebe Avenue, Oguta Road, Ozomagala Street, Upper and Lower Iweka Road, Francis Street, Miss Elems Street and Port Harcourt Road.Zik’s Roundabout–Nkpor–Umuoji–Uke–Nnobi Road.
Dualisation of Nnamdi Azikiwe Avenue and other township roads in Awka.
Major reconstruction of township roads in Nnewi, including Bank Road, Ezemewi, Ibeto and Nnewi High School roads.
Many of these roads remain in service today.
*Education*
The administration initiated the historic return of schools to their original missionary owners through a Memorandum of Agreement signed with church leaders and Private School-Owners
The Catholic delegation was led by Archbishops Albert Obiefuna and Valerian Okeke, alongside Bishops Hilary Odili Okeke and Simon Okafor, while the Anglican delegation was led by Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Bishops Ken Sandy Okeke, Dr. Efobi and Dr. Okpala.
By October 1, 2005, 87 primary and secondary schools were officially returned to their owners(Churches and Private). Government continued to pay salaries of teachers and non-teaching staff of these without big noise or Fanfare.The succeeding administration of Mr. Peter Obi later expanded the exercise by returning the remaining schools.
The administration also revitalised Primary Schools through the Universal Basic Education programme(UBEC)by paying about ₦1.6 billion in counterpart funding. 1,700 primary school teachers and 1,800 Secondary school teachers were also recruited with provision of instructional materials. These interventions laid the foundation for the educational recognition of Anambra State with subsequent prize awards.
*Higher Education*
The administration restructured the Anambra state university into a multi-campus institution and secured full accreditation for 32 academic programmes, including Law, Medicine and Engineering and 57 provisional accreditation in Agriculture,Social Sciences and Business Courses.
*Healthcare*
The administration ended the prolonged 18-month doctors’ strike and restored confidence in the health sector by paying counterpart funds owed to international donor agencies.
General Hospitals in Onitsha and Amaku, Awka, were upgraded into specialist/teaching hospitals and equipped with modern medical facilities, including equipment shipped from the United States and new ambulances.
Primary healthcare also received renewed attention through the recruitment of doctors for local government health services and the introduction of incentives to encourage medical personnel to serve in rural communities.
*Security*
To improve public safety, the administration established the Anambra State Vigilante Services through legislation enacted by the State House of Assembly, providing organised community security across the state and funded the this Vigilante Services and other security and Anambra State was impenetrable for robbers and other criminals.
Other Landmark Achievements
Among other notable achievements of the 34-month Ngige administration were:
Decongestion and relocation of major markets dealing in building materials, textiles and electrical goods from central Onitsha to Ogidi, Ogbunike, Bridge Head and Oba.
Revival of the Onitsha and Awka water schemes, restoring pipe-borne water supply to both cities before the administration left office in 2006.
**Changing the state’s slogan from “Home for All” to “Light of the Nation.”**
*A LASTING LEGACY*
Subsequent administrations have continued to build on aspects of the foundation laid during the Ngige years. Yet many Ndi Anambra still look back on that period with nostalgia, often comparing the pace and quality of governance then with present realities.
When the Court of Appeal upheld the decision that removed Dr. Ngige from office, he complied peacefully with the judgment and handed over power with dignity. He also left behind savings of approximately ₦13.8 billion (equivalent of 141 million USD at the prevailing rate then) alongside investments in Orient Petroleum and substantially reduced liabilities to banks and other financial institutions.
The Justice Ononiba Commission of Inquiry,instituted by the Obi administration, acknowledged the existence of these funds and commended the administration for its stewardship.
Today, as we commemorate July 10, we salute the courage of a leader who chose principle over personal safety and whose actions altered the course of Anambra’s political history.
May the spirit of vigilance, sacrifice and service that defined that day continue to inspire generations of Ndi Anambra.
*Signed:*
The Anambra State Liberation Team
Chief Chris Atuegwu – Commissioner for Special Duties(Former)
Sir Emma C. J. Nwosu – Principal Secretary to the Governor(Former)
Rt. Hon. Mike Balonwu – Speaker Emeritus, Anambra State House of Assembly
Hon. Dr. Ozo Ughamadu – Deputy Speaker Emeritus
Hon. Sir Humphrey C. Nsofor – Majority Leader Emeritus
Sir Joe Dimobi – Deputy Majority Leader Emeritus
Dr. Ben Obidigbo – Chief Whip
Hon. Barr. Uchenna Okonkwo-Okom – Deputy Chief Whip
Hon. Dr. Theophilus Nnorom(Member)
Hon. Barr. Anthonia Tabansi-Okoye(Member)
Hon. Barr. Bona Oraekwe(Member)
Hon. Ichie P. C. Okeke(Member)
Prof. Leonard Moghalu – Commissioner for Education(Former)
Hon. Barr. Ben Chuks Nwosu(Member)
Hon. Chief Alfonso Uzoegwu(Member)
Hon. Barr. Chuba Oraṅusi(Member)
Hon. Barr. Nonye Nwangwu (Nnenenye) – Commissioner for Women Affairs(Former)
Hon. Kenneth Arinze – Commissioner for Commerce(Former)
Chief Nnoruka Udechukwu, SAN – Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General(Former)
Chief Uzoma Igbonwa – Special Assistant, Lagos Liaison Office(Former)
Dr. Christopher Kene Nzekwe – President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS)
Barr. Iyom Berne Nwachukwu – Special Assistant, Legal and Special Duties
Ichie Sir Fred Chukwuelobe – Special Assistant, Media and Strategic Communications
Dr. Peter Ogbuka – Special Assistant, Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters
Hon. Zokas Aniazoka(Member)
Prof. Tochukwu Okeke – Senior Special Assistant, Government House
Dr. Udoka Imagie – Government House Physician
Prof. Brian Davis Adinma – Commissioner for Health
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
