By Uzo Ugwunze
The Traditional Ruler of Ndiowu community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Highness, Igwe Ben Chibuzor Okekeifi, has called on Ndiowu sons and daughters to unite and work towards rebuilding their community following the appointment of a new caretaker committee by the Anambra State Government.
The monarch described the intervention by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s administration as a necessary step towards ending the prolonged leadership crisis in the community, restoring confidence among stakeholders and laying a solid foundation for peace and development.
The new Ndiowu Town Union Caretaker Committee, chaired by Mazi Chibuzor Jonathan Okoli, popularly known as Joe Japan (Agu N’achi Ochi), is expected to stabilise the community, reconcile aggrieved parties and organise a credible election that will usher in a substantive town union administration.
Igwe Okekeifi, who expressed confidence in the new leadership, assured the committee of his full support and cooperation, describing its assignment as a critical opportunity to give Ndiowu a fresh beginning.
“This is a defining moment for Ndiowu. The intervention of the Anambra State Government and the appointment of a new caretaker committee represent the necessary steps towards bringing our people together again, restoring peace and rebuilding the foundations of our community,” he said.
The monarch noted that years of disagreements, particularly those surrounding the town union constitution, had created divisions and distracted the community from pursuing its collective development objectives.
He congratulated Okoli and members of the committee, urging them to discharge their responsibilities with fairness, transparency, humility and a genuine commitment to the interests of all Ndiowu people.
He also appealed to traditional and community leaders, elders, women groups, youths, village representatives and Ndiowu indigenes in the diaspora to rally behind the new leadership.
“I appeal to all Ndiowu sons and daughters, wherever they may be, to embrace this new opportunity. Let us put aside whatever differences we may have had, forgive one another where necessary and work together for the greater good of our community.
“No individual or group is greater than Ndiowu. Our collective interest must supersede personal ambitions, political affiliations and sectional considerations,” the monarch stated.
Igwe Okekeifi further urged the caretaker committee to prioritise reconciliation, engage all relevant stakeholders and ensure that the process leading to a substantive town union election is credible, transparent and acceptable to the people.
He stressed that lasting peace could only be achieved through collective commitment, adding that the traditional institution would continue to provide the necessary fatherly guidance and support.
The monarch expressed optimism that cooperation among the state government, traditional institution, caretaker committee and community members would help Ndiowu overcome its challenges.
“Together, we can rebuild Ndiowu. Together, we can restore its dignity. Together, we can make Ndiowu great again. Let peace reign, let unity prevail and let the development of our community be our common priority,” he declared.
The appointment of the caretaker committee has generated renewed optimism among sections of the community, with residents expressing hope that the intervention will bring an end to prolonged leadership disagreements and usher in a new era of peace and development.
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