Mbaeke rescues ex-Gov Ugwuanyi's statue at Nkwo-Nike from humiliation

A rare courage and expression of concern was recently made by a former commissioner for Poverty Reduction and Human Capital Development, Hon Obinna Mbaeke at the Nkwo-Nike Unity roundabout in Enugu East local government area of Enugu State.

At the roundabout stands the statue of the immediate past Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was dignified with the statue for the services, infrastructure and human capital resources he developed in Nike land.

Less than three years after Ugwuanyi's exit as Governor, the statue was defaced in a manner repognat of a leader who did much for the people of Nike as a Governor.

In a particular instance, a wretched basket was used to cover the head of the statue, while prominent citizens of the federated Nike communities watched and turned blind eyes to the assault.

Nkwo-Nike is the ancestral homestead that unites the 24 communities in Nike. The area is seen as the cradle of the Nike origin and history. It was indeed an honour so big that Ugwuanyi was appreciated with his statue in such a historical venue.

When Daily Insider conducted investigation on reason Ugwuanyi's statue was allowed to occupy such a strategic place in the Nike land, it was revealed that Ugwuanyi was the only Governor in the recent time that accorded Nike clan due recognition with strategic developments.

The Nike people pointed at many development efforts of Ugwuanyi in Nike land to include allotment of two commissioner slots of strategic ministries of works/ infrastructure; Human Capital Development & poverty reduction. 

Ugwuanyi is also credited to have ensured that a Nike man remained as the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly throughout his eight years duration as Governor. The Chief Judge of the state was also appointed from Nike in Gburugburu's time, hence the clan maintained numbers three and fourth positions in the protocol list at the same.

Recalling further, it was noted that Ugwuanyi appointed five permanent secretaries from Nike land, just like the then Chairman of Enugu East local government council, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji (Ike Nike) was the longest serving ALGON Chairman in the state, courtesy of Gburugburu.

"On roads infrastructure, the Abakpa - T- Junction and the Penox Nike lake road - T-Junction; the Airport roundabout, the Eke Obinagu were all done three months into the Ugwuanyi administration. The dualization of those roads was sabotaged by our own people until Governor Peter Mbah now came and is doing them now.

"The same road that ran from Abakpa last bus stop to Nkwo-Nike where Gburugburu's status is erected was done by him. The Harmony- Emenene Adoration road and the Ugwuomu roads were all done by Gburugburu. Some Nike indigenes are abroad on scholarship studying special courses, courtesy of this same man. Remember also that three new autonomous communities were created by Gburugburu in Nike land. They are Amankpaka, Umuchigbo and Edem," Edmund Anike narrated.

On the defacement of Ugwuanyi's status at Nkwo-Nike, Chief James Ugwu said it was very regrettable that such recklessness was happening under the watch of the current political and traditional leaders of Enugu East local government.

"That monument represents our heritage and should be protected. If the concerned authorities cannot do it then it will it seen as failure on their side. Gburugburu served the entirety of Ndi Enugu meritoriously and should be respected," Ugwu said.

Our reporter was informed that the defacing of the former governor's statue became a matter of concern among the Nike elite, with leaders taking different positions. Most Nike people attributed those who have poor remarks over the matter as those with lack of knowledge on what the former Governor did for the Nike clan.

Rescue however came the way of the statue when Hon. Obinna Mbaeke took it upon himself to remedy the situation, repainted the statue and returned it it to its previous glory.

When contacted, Hon. Mbaeke said he was ashamed of how people defaced the statue while everyone passed as if it didn't matter.

"So, I went and sanitized the place because former Governor Ugwuanyi is a friend to Nike people. He showed us love and that was why we reciprocated with that legacy statue. Therefore, so long as some of us who appreciate are still alive, we cannot allow it be be in ruin," Mbaeke said.

Click the link below for a short video of Mbaeke's remodelled statue of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at Nkwo-Nike ancestral square. 👇 

https://youtube.com/shorts/YsONGL1-3pA?si=2yL1MjL29zOrG09x