Achebe Lauds Government’s Approval To Establish National Maritime Institute In Anambra

The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe (Agbogidi), lauded the Federal Government for approving the establishment of a National Maritime Institute In Onitsha under the management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.

He equally commended the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for being in the process of establishing a tax training school in Onitsha.

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Igwe Achebe made the commendations at his on going twenty second Ofala festival while presenting his Ofala message at Ime Obi palace,Onitsha.In his message on community development, he said, “Over these twenty two years,our strides have found expression in a modernized and re-vitalized monarchy and a leadership aura which today radiates beyond Onitsha to Anambra State, the Southeast region, Nigeria and beyond.

“We have also articulated a vision for communal transformation hinged on the restoring our value system for lifting the poor and most vulnerable in the community from mere consumption and dependency to production and self – reliance.The vision is animated in the various activities of the Onitsha Advancement Foundation (OnAF) (www.onaf.org), with on leadership and business entrepreneurship development, cooperatives, digital literacy and entrepreneurship, and women empowerment.
“It is against the foregoing background that we have adopted the theme for this year’s Ofala to be Better, Stronger, Together.This would be our guiding mantra through the coming year and beyond.”
Speaking on security, Achebe stated that Onitsha being the main centre of for economic activity, has become the destination for the mostly jobless and transient youths from the rural communities in search of an elusive better life.
According to Achebe, “Our main challenges remain youth unemployment, gangsterism,touting, homelessness,armed robbery drug addiction,child prostitution, among others.

“The statutory security agencies that have bases in Onitsha, namely, the police, army,navy and DSS,are mostly reactive towards crime.Our reliance for prevention is, therefore, wholly on our vigilante services in two formations.These are the Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG), numbering 25 persons under the command of the State Government and the Onicha Ado Community Vigilante Unit (OCVU), numbering about 59 persons under the command of Ime Obi Onicha.”
Igwe Achebe emphasized that both groups work collaboratively together and with the statutory agencies, occasionally supported by the Onitsha Youths Council,to maintain relative peace in the community.
“Our biggest challenge is the inadequacy of funding for salaries, equipment, and consumables which is literally borne by the community, except for the paltry State Government contribution of ₦10,000 each for ten persons per month only.Their minimum salary of ₦20,000 is below the national minimum salary and we have to augment with benefits in kind.The other major challenge is needed to structurally merge the two vigilante groups under one command for optimum effect.”
He added that there is need for continuous training and discipline in line with the Nigeria Police guidelines.
Meanwhile,Igwe Achebe appreciated God ,his Ofala sponsors and guests from various parts of the Country.
On his part, the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, while speaking at the Ofala Festival said,
“The revival and transformation of Onitsha are of paramount importance to me and I am dedicated to implementing comprehensive measures to achieve this goal.
“Recognizing the vital role that well-maintained roads play in enhancing transportation, trade and overall quality of life, we have embarked on massive road infrastructural development projects in the city. Our aim is to ensure smooth and seamless connectivity, making Onitsha a hub of economic activities and a city that its residents can be proud of.
“In addition to infrastructural development, we are resolved in our fight against touts in Onitsha. We have made it clear that touts must leave Onitsha. Our law enforcement agencies have been actively arresting these individuals in large numbers. Even as new ones emerge, we remain steadfast in our resolve to eliminate touts from our streets permanently.”
Governor Soludo further congratulated Igwe Achebe on his 22nd Ofala and 21st year on the throne promised to ensure Onitsha regain back its glory.

However, the event for Igwe Achebe Ofala festival which started with his annual lecture at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University,Igbariam Campus Anambra State on October 5,2023 , will end on Sunday October 22,2023 with a thanksgiving service at St. Jude Catholic Church, Upper Iweka,Fegge Onitsha, Anambra State.

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