Governor Umahi and Uzoamaka’s agony: Egoist, sexist or Misogynist? Cornucopia By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu (Every Monday in Authority Newspapers)

I have come to love 53 years old His Excellency, Governor David Nweze Umahi of  Ebonyi state for opening up Abakaliliki in infrastructure with less. His actions so far, needless recounting them proved to me he loves his people. 

But, the JSS 11, Uzoamaka Chukwu’s story is a sore point on his reputation.  It would have been that of grass to grace and rag to riches story for Uzoamaka but the Governor Umahi just put a clog on the wheel of progress. Did he know? Had his aides let him know? Was he the one who actually made the order?

July 13, 2016, was remarkably and immemorial for Uzoamaka. She was stripped and accused by her own people. She ran to them for protection but they ended up endangering her life, even lying against her.
38 days after she was stripped, dehumanized, and humiliated by some people led by Mr. Ogbonnaya Ene Odi, Coordinator of Ohaozara Development Centre in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the State with aide of two policemen in a broad day light, Umahi ordered her return, even when rescue had come her way through Miss Anoh.
Ebonyi State government assured to take full responsibility of her rehabilitation and training, even while so many others like Uzoamaka has nobody coming to their rescue. The question is why bringing out somebody God has brought succor her way to take care of, while so many others have not been taken care of?
Member Representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Linus Okorie, called for the sack of the Coordinator of Ohaozara West Development Centre over his alleged role in the attack of Uzoamaka Chukwu; but did that happen? Rather, the Coordinator was seen at Governor David Umahi’s country home, Uburu, when the governor hosted stakeholders from the Ebonyi South zone of the state wining and dining and sighted at the country home of Uzoamaka when the governor visited the family. Her molester in chief was arrested and released by Ebonyi State Police command.

Governor Umahi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, stated: “Government is asking that wherever she is, she should come back so that we can take over her training from secondary school to university level. We will also be able to rehabilitate her”.

The man Uzoamaka’s family disowned as not being related to them in anyway, Elder Francis Odabe, had told Umahi thus: “We thank you for the commitment of the government towards Uzoamaka’s well being. Nobody knows where she is but we promise to do all in our powers to bring her out”.That statement from Elder Odabe created the confusion and panic that nailed Uzoamaka.

For showcasing her innocent nipples and cunt all over the world on false allegations, Uzoamaka was scandalized, brutalized, humiliated, abused, dragged ,flogged, stripped and scorned, yet, her God was with her. God sent Rita Nnenna Anoh, GMD of VEROZ GROUP to be her benefactor, and the humiliation turned into laughter.
Alas! The truth later emerged that her tormentors lied against her and, rather than assist her get salvaged, Governor Umahi, truncated her blissful future on an ego trip by his seven days ultimatum to return Uzoamaka back on August 22, 2016; and out of courtesy, Miss Anoh, on September 24, 2016, returned Uzoamaka, claiming that she was under high pressure to do so.

At 15, she is still innocent and naïve but her innocence was shattered by misogynists and pedophiles and nobody is talking. But, God raised a woman, and without any effort to remove the shame from Uzoamaka’s face, Umahi struck a deadly blow. I now ask Mr Governor of Ebonyi state, is it egoist, sexist or misogynist that would be ascribed to this act? It is most unbecoming of a Governor as the little girls’ future is shattered, unless you have taken her up without the public knowledge?
My pain is that the 15-year-old girl assaulted by the Coordinator of Ohaozara Development Centre in Ebonyi State and her co-traveler, Miss Uzoamaka Chukwu is no longer with Miss Rita Anoh, a Port-Harcourt-based businesswoman, an indigene of Ebonyi State. Before Uzoamaka lost this home made in heaven, she had quickly recovered from the entire emotional and psychological trauma she went through. There was enough love and care for her at Anoh’s home. What has Umahi or his aides achieved by that seven-day ultimatum for return of Uzoamaka?
Umahi demand that Uzoamaka remained the property of the state was dismissed by Uzoamaka’s uncle, Mr. Victor Unogbo, and revealed that the girl was from Edo State not Ebonyi. He insisted that Uzomaka’s late father was his immediate elder brother.
What an unending woes for a girl God threw up through Miss Anoh to rise as a flag bearer for other orphans and traumatized young girls!
Hear the hapless Lady, Miss Anoh: “The unfortunate treatment meted out to the 15-year-old Uzoamaka came to my knowledge through the social media. Out of compassion, I intervened to give her a new lease of life through scholarship and a home; a move that has actually changed her life from the agonizing experience she had.
“However, this kind gesture has been variously misunderstood and given all kinds of colorations. In view of this, I am constrained to hand over the girl back to her family for onward decision. Any further issue or information about her should henceforth be referred to her family.
“I feel a deep pain in my heart doing what I am doing now, but I can’t help the situation. I just pray that her people will take good care of her, henceforth. She needs emotional and physical support. I urge her family to please, take good care of her.”
Why would Uzoamaka be left in the cold Governor Umahi? The family sees Umahi’s gesture as torment as Ukamaka, elder to Uzoamaka stated: “Ebonyi state government should be asked to stop tormenting my family. …..So much has been said about the terrible incident and my family has decided to maintain silence all these while partly to protect the little girl and also in deference to the good people of Uburu, our uncles, who have done so much in our lives since the death of our father and mother in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Uzoamaka is the last of three girls by our parents, late Luke Unogbo and Felicia Chukwu.
“Everything appeared to be working well after my sister was given scholarship up to the university level and a new life by Mrs Anoh. Uzoamaka got admission and was due to start school in September but we were surprised when the Ebonyi State Governor issued an ultimatum for her return during his visit to my aunt’s house at their village on August 21.
“At first, when Miss Anoh called to inform us of her intention to return Uzoamaka, my family objected because we see her as the best person that can mentor and give my sister the needed training she deserves. My family and my sister rejected the state government’s scholarship because she already has one and their interest in my sister’s ordeal came rather too late. What is the state government’s interest in this matter? Are their children not in school? Why is my sister’s case being dragged like this? She deserves justice and peace to move on instead of this emotional torment.”

And I ask, why  three weeks after the incident, nobody, not even aides to Governor Umahi, said a word but immediately Miss Anoh took custody of the girl, Umahi and co-travelers woke up. Was Miss Anoh an opposition to the government? Was she eyeing Government House or her relatives and associates strategizing for next election? Umahi and his aides would have thanked Miss Anoh for wiping away the shame on the state and the Girl’s reputation rather than opposing her moves. They have right to keep an eye on her but not to deprive her some luck as I saw it.
Ukamaka claimed their maternal family has not been met till date, insisting: “Our mother is from Umuaneketa Uburu and not from Umunaga where the governor visited and issued the ultimatum. Mr. Francis Odabe who was referred to as our uncle is somebody we don’t even know and who also does not know us in person. We are not even related in any form to the man. We only have cousins and an aunt from Ebonyi State. Our father is from Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State,” she further informed.
Umahi please hear Mr. Unogbo as he appealed: “We appreciate the governor’s benevolence, but we want to appeal that Uzoamaka should be allowed to stay with Mrs Anoh. She has found comfort and peace there.
“We are giving Uzoamaka to Miss Rita Anoh and not the Ebonyi State Government. We want Uzoamaka to stay under the woman’s roof because we believe she would take good care of her”.

Little Uzoamaka had full scholarship to university level from Miss Anoh but what is her fate now?  The memories of the expansive shopping spree, medical assessment, clinical therapy and decent school she was registered before the “evil omen” would be an albatross to Uzoamaka’s progress report if Miss Anoh refuses to change her mind.
I conclude with an appeal. Please , Miss Rita Nnenna Anoh, kindly reconsider and take Uzoamaka back as her Mum because the egoists at Ebonyi state Government house, Abakaliki, who did not properly brief Umahi has caused him a dent on his reputation. I believe he is looking for a way out of the mess. It was not his will but believe me; he was coerced into that order or was misrepresented by his aide who made the order. And to you my love Governor, kindly do the needful and show the altruist nature I know you for. God have mercy!
Cornucopia is a weekly column of South East Editor of Authority Newspapers, Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, a writer, journalist , blogger, publisher and commentator on National Issues . 08060750240 e mail: [email protected]