Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The President of Uruagu-Nnewi Development Union, Chief Sunday Okoli, and the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi community in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Majesty Afamefuna Charles Obi, have discountenanced Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directives on their suspension and subsequent dessolution of the leadership of the community’s youth forum led by Ejike Ifejiofor, with subsequent appointment of caretaker executive to pilot the affairs of youths in the community.
The Anambra State governor had, through a letter dated August 9, 2024, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Martin Agbili, warned the community leaders to stay any action regarding suspension of the Uruagu-Nnewi youth forum.
The community had, through its PG, Chief Okoli, written to the Ministry of Youths Development, notifying the ministry of “immediate suspension” of the youth group over alleged insecurity in the area. But the ministry, in a letter titled, “Further Directives On Suspension Of Youth Body In Nnewi,” told the community that regulation of youth activities in the state, as well as suspension of youth activities and meetings can only be authorised by the state’s Ministry of Youth Development, and not the PG or the monarch.
But contrary to this directive, the community leaders went ahead, not only dissolving the Uruagu-Nnewi youth forum, but also went further to appoint caretaker executive to take over from them; a development that led to near breakdown of law and order in the area.
Briefing newsmen on the development in Nnewi, the ousted youth leader, Ejike Ifejiofor, said that the matter started when the chief taskforce of the community’s youth forum, Izuchukwu Uzochukwu, was beaten to stupor by boys allegedly deployed by HM, Afamefuna Charles Obi, for allegedly insulting him.
The youth leader expressed disappointment that when he heard that the chief taskforce was manhandled for “insulting” the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi, he personally took him to the palace of the Obi Uruagu-Nnewi, where the matter was resolved amicably, only to get information some days after that his executive has been dissolved.
Ifejiofor narrated that a letter to that effect was written by the PG of the community, Chief Sunday Okoli, to the Ministry of Youths Development, and that after critical appraisal of the letter, the community leader was warned to steer clear of the activities of the youths in the community.
He said that he was supprised that even after the warning and directive from the state government, the duo of Chief Sunday Okoli (PG) and Afamefuna Charles Obi (Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi) went on to inaugurate caretaker committee for Uruagu-Nnewi Youth Forum, and handed their names to the President General of Nnewi Youth Forum, Hon. Ejim Ucheagu, for recognition, thereby, sacking the constitutionally elected officials, whose tenure was to expire in 2026.
Ifejiofor informed that his executive procured court order stopping the “illegal caretaker” from parading themselves or carrying out duties as youth executive in the community. And that despite the court order, the PG and the Obi encouraged the caretaker group they inaugurated to continue with their “illegal duties.”
Also speaking with newsmen on the matter, a member of the taskforce of Uruagu-Nnewi Youth Forum, Oluchukwu Ileka, narrated that one fateful Sunday, being January 25, some boys allegedly deployed by the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi, Afamefuna Charles Obi, accosted him, and dragged him to the palace of Obi Uruagu-Nnewi, took him to the secretariat under construction, where they beat him to stupor using matchets and heavy sticks until he collapsed.
According to him, when he collapsed, his executors, who included Nzubechukwu Igbokwe, Nonso Ezimuo, Chibeze Emekwuo, Azuka and Akuli, covered him with building materials inside the uncompleted building, took his handset and motorcycle key, and ran away.
He reported that when he recovered and went down from the building, he met the boys that beat him where they were discussing in low tones; adding that when they saw him, they gave the phone and the key back to him, and warned him never to challenge them again. He said he was still taking medication in a private hospital in Nnewi due to the gravity of wounds inflicted on him.
He begged Governor Charles Soludo, the state Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), as well as security agencies in the state to call Chief Sunday Okoli and Afamefuna Charles Obi to order; saying that the two have continued to create avoidable tension in the community through their actions, inactions and unfriendly dispositions.
