Orumba North: Hon Okey Enekwe’s rescuing mantra and the wish of the people

 Orumba North is the council area of former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme , Chief Raymond Obieri , former Chairman of Intercontinental Bank and former Chairman of National Electoral Commission now INEC Prof Humphrey Nwosu as well as former Chairman of National Oil , Sir SIC Okoli, now owner of WABECO Oil.

 There are so many prominent citizens from the zone both in academics and Business that it is shocking that only Nanka community had over 100 professors. The former Director General of NAFDAC and Information and Communication Minister, Late Prof Dora Akunyili was from Orumba North though married to Dr Chike Akunyili, an Agulu , Anaocha man.
Even the popular NEROS Pharmaceuticals, Chief Poly Emenike is from Orumba North as well as a business magnet and philanthropist par excellence Chief Okey Ezeibe. These and so many others made it a Herculean task for any Chief Executive of the council area to be up beat to his duties.
When the Anambra state independent electoral commission (ANSIEC) conducted last council election in the year 2013 in the state, the election ushered  in democratically elected chairmen and councilors in the 21 local government of Anambra state, apart from Nnewi North that has a sole administrator appointed by the Governor.

 Chief Hon Enekwe of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) outshined his contenders and was voted massively by the people of Orumba North. He emerged winner resoundingly and because of his good will and wealth of knowledge as a successful business man before joining politics, the people of Orumba North today are happier for their choice.
Hon Enekwe upon assuming office as the executive chairman vowed not to disappoint the masses of Orumba North who voted him in to office and has continued to be excellent in his performance , according to the President General of Ndiokpalaeke and Chairman of Presidents General in Orumba North, Hon Ernest Igboanugo. Others including the Member representing Orumba North council area , Hon Romanus Obi and Hon Okey Udeh , former Deputy Governor and former Member of House of Representatives for Orumba North and South have spoken well about Hon Enekwe.

Probably his dutifulness fetched him continuation in office as a caretaker committee Chairman after their two years tenor expired 6 months ago.
Enekwa’s headache:

But Orumba North was placed on the world map because of erosion menace that has rubbished all efforts to control it. The erosion remains and it is a huge threat to the communities especially Nanka and Oko. That has been the headache of the Council Boss, Hon Okey Enekwe. He has joined Governor Willie Obiano in every effort to tackle the challenge of the erosion menace but concluded the menace is beyond the state government and needed serious intervention from the Federal Government and world bodies like United Nations among others.
Not withstanding the economic challenges in Nigeria, Chief Enekwe’s Midas torch in the 16 communities of Orumba North by bringing dividends of democracy to the citizens. His tenure heralds much of a difference in council administration in Orumba North.
At the last count, over 50 Projects have been executed by the Hon chief Enekwe and his council members, even as he confessed his personal resources have been injected for the service of humanity without refunds from the council.
His regret is that the council has no source of revenue base to support the fund receiving from the state government.
The Authority crew visited the council area on a fact finding mission and was shocked on what Enekwe was able to do with paucity of funds.
Secretary of the council and a lawyer, Hon Chijoke Onuorah who took our crew round some of the projects executed under Enekwe’s administration said the people were shocked that such a man still exists.

 Afor Nanka under construction

 He confirmed the chairman used his personal finances to do some projects for the council and was never refunded even as he confirmed that the projects claimed were real and the people of Orumba North were indeed happy for Enekwe’s genuine interventions. The projects included: the construction of borehole at Nanka community, which was said to be   suffering, having difficulties to get water since every attempt to sink a borehole in the past failed, until Chief Enekwe came to power and made  it possible to them, which  His Excellency Dr Willie Obiano commissioned.
He as well rebuilt Osikwu primary school Awgbu, which was at it's verge of collapsing, and also attracted an illustrious son of Awgbu Chief Okey Ezeibe to support his administration by building an ultramodern police station for Awgbu community which has been completed and commissioned by the  Anambra state commissioner of police , Mr H H karma. Amaetiti community’s Borehole was also resuscitated and saved the people from scarcity of water embarrassment. He did a box culvert to checkmate erosion menace at Ezioko village Oko. Another landmark project done inside the secretariat, was rebuilding of the pavilion and its fencing, among others.


Furthermore, Enekwe’s administration completed the renovation of Orumba North Legislative building and equipped it with furniture even as the council completed a functional primary health centre inside the secretariat.  His administration energized the council with a new giant generator and reactivated the borehole in the secretariat. He as well re-roofed the Orumba North Magistrate court and customary court which was leaking inside.

 His government has resolved a century water crisis at Ndiokolo by sinking a borehole and as well resuscitated two bore holes at Ndiokpaleke with two over head tanks. Under his watch, the MDG completed a water scheme   at Ajalli, which will supply water to almost every community in Orumba North and it has been commissioned by Governor Willie Obiano. Already 3 communities in Orumba North have the water reticulated in their communities while Orumba South and Aguata will still benefit.
Enekwe is not stopping there as his administration is building an ultramodern market in the 16 Communities of Orumba North modeled from a prototype of 24 lock up shops. As at press time the project has gotten to three communities including Afor Udo Nanka, Eke Awgbu, Eke Oko and Afor Ufuma, his major challenge of not getting to all the communities he said was poor finances. These markets are done under the public private partnership in line with Governor Willie Obiano’s mantra to develop Anambra state under his 4 pillars policy.
Enekwe is asking his subjects to be patient as if he tarries in office, he would remember all the communities as promised. By these feats, Enekwe has rekindled interest in local government administration.
But Enekwe has one appeal from his people, which is vote Governor Willie Obiano for a second term in office even as he requested for support to CAFÉ the pet project of the Governor’s wife , Chief Mrs Eberechukwu Obiano.


By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, an Awka based media Consultant, journalist, Publisher and Commentator on national issues. He blogs too on www.odogwublog.com among others .

Photo News: Anambra state Commissioner of police , Mr Hosea Hassan Karma, flanked  left by Chairman of Orumba North local government area, Chief Okey Enekwe and right by Member representing Orumba North in Anambra state House of Assembly, Hon Romanus Obi as well as the Donor and wife , Chief and Mrs Okey Ezeibe extreme behind the policemen during the inauguration of Eke Awgbu police station,

Various water schemes done by his administration, schools renovated and Legislators office