Awka – Charles Agbala, a surveyor and retired director in the Anambra state Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning/Development has been elected in a popular
democratic and transparent election by the Uke Community in Idemili North LGA of Anambra state as the new traditional ruler.
He has been presented by the traditional and administrative leadership of the community to the Local Government chairman, Obi Idemobi who has since presented him to Gov Willie Obiano for recognition and certification. He succeeded the community’s late monarch, Igwe Nwabufo Ezeude who joined their ancestors in 2011.
Agbala at a church thanksgiving t St Dominic Catholic Church, Uke, took out time to speak to journalists on his emergence, motivation and programme for the development and taking Uke to the next level in the 21st century Nigeria. Our CHUKS COLLINS was there and reports.
Emergence:
My emergence and installation into the exulted throne of our fore fathers as the new traditional ruler of Uke was act of God and the will of the people. It was the people that voted me in. They clamoured for me.
I retired from the Anambra state Ministry of Housing and Urban Development having worked for thirty-five years in April 2011. Later that same year, Dec 2011 the former traditional ruler transited(nfe)
Road to selection:
After the last ofala for our former Igwe on Nov 14,2015, the seat was officially declared vacant. And in accordance with the town’s Constitution, the next village to produce Igwe, that is Uruabor, my village was expected to produce and present three(3) candidates to the leadership of the Uke community for their screening and consideration.
I am from Uruezeani quarters of Uruabor village and was among the three candidates who emerged and were presented to the Uke Town Union leadership. After due diligence, election was then fixed for Dec 19,2015 and at the end of the day I emerged victorious.
Development road map:
I see my ascension to the throne as a challenge to tackle various problems that have been facing the community. Most important of our challenges include peace, unity and reconciliation. Their absence over a long period of time has been weighing the community down. The crises are multi-faceted but we shall overcome. I wish to galvanize the rich, the learned, the experienced and hardworking indigenes to fashion out ways to progress. Decayed infrastructure, comatose health facilities, and education policy of the community to be revitalized. Our youth would be attracted back to school(education). Cultural and social life need t be rejuvenated to ensure positive annual positive interaction. The local Eke market, the most popular community market in Idemili North council area and beyond before and after theNigerian civil war has remained a shadow of itself due to lack of care and development.
It’s known fact that our water, roads, electricity and other utility services are non- existent. Each community needs to maintain a very good rapport with the governments and their officials at all levels in order to benefit from democracy dividends. They are all capital intensive. I commend the state government for its immense help in terms of our roads so far. Though more are still to be done.
Having been in government over the years from where I retired as a Director, I hope to use my experience, contacts and goodwill to partner the government in that direction to the benefit of my community and her citizens.
Motivation:
It’s service to God and humanity. I intend to take Uke community to an appreciable level where all her citizens will be happy and proud to say they are from Uke. Where everyone would be eagerly looking forward to coming home annually at least, to meet and interact with their kith and kin in a happy, peaceful, secure and friendly environment.
The MASSOB/IPOB/Niger Delta Avengers agitations:
When taken up on the increasing spate of agitation for self determination by the various groups and areas in the country today, and the way out, the monarch said that there is need for dialogue. Use of force on the agitators would have additional damages and consequences. The Federal Government should also endeavor to keep to the agreement so entered. This is because the previous agreement with the militants of the Niger Delta were reported not to have been well implemented. So the FG need to be seen as sincere and earn their trust. That was alleged to be part of the reason for the return of militancy in Niger Delta area today.
The FG has to create jobs to absorb the teeming unemployed youths in the country today, as a subtle way to tackle restiveness and anti-social conducts by youths.
There’s also need for the government to critically look into the challenges in the economy. The economic policies need to be reviewed; it needs to be given a human face. It’s food import ban, especially rice, which is the staple food of Nigerian families when the local production cannot adequately satisfy local consumption. A bag now sells for as high as N18,500 and that’s too high for average citizens. Again, the poor power supply and burgeoning unemployment must be tackled.
Anti-corruption crusade:
It’s welcome and should be embraced and commended by all. However, other aspects of the economy must be taken care of simultaneously. There’s need to stimulate production and exports of non-oil production.
Herdsmen:
I commend our governor, Chief Willie Obiano for initiating what has come to be known as “the Anambra model”. The governor had long before the herdsmen issue became a national security topic, set up a special peace committee chaired by the Commissioner of Police to handle any such crisis between communities, farmers and the herdsmen. It has been working perfectly well. So I urge the FG to get all states to adopt the Anambra model.
Obiano:
He described the Anambra governor, Chief Willie Obiano as the “Star Governor”, for winning two awards within a year. “This alone has singled him out as a star governor in the country today. Because despite not yet being in the league of states receiving the derivation fund, our dear Gov Willie Obiano has been able to pay salaries regularly on schedule, and has not borrowed from anywhere, nor owed any contractor.
Describing it as a “rare magic”, the monarch observed that the contemporary cash crunch notwithstanding the governor has led the state to remain financially stable and strong. That Anambra remains one of the only two states who has not gone for any bailout loan.
Family life:
I am married with four children. I read and trained as a quantity surveyor, Bsc and MSc. Am a member of the Nigerian Institute of Construction; Industry Arbitrator of Nig; Former Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors(Anambra) and the incumbent chairman of the Awka chapter of Uke Development Union.
Am the principal partner of Awka-based Procost Consultants. I relaxes with jogging, exercises, music and likes watching documentaries.