AWKA: Legal practitioner and cultural advocate, Kachi Aghasili, has officially emerged as the Labour Party (LP) flag bearer for the Awka North and South Federal Constituency ahead of the upcoming National Assembly elections.

​Aghasili secured the ticket following a closely monitored primary election held in the Anambra State capital, positioning her at the forefront of the party’s drive to capture the strategic federal seat.

​The declaration has sent waves of optimism through her camp, with supporters describing her victory as a turning point for grassroots representation in the constituency.

​In a strongly worded press statement released immediately after her victory, Aghasili described the outcome of the primary as more than just a political win, framing it instead as the continuation of a populist movement.

​”Today marks more than the outcome of a primary election. It marks the continuation of a growing movement built on service, integrity, competence, and the collective hope of the people of Awka North and Awka South,” she declared.

​Expressing deep humility at the confidence reposed in her by the party members, the legal practitioner noted that the ticket represents a mandate given by the people, for the people.

​”I am deeply honored and humbled to emerge as the flag bearer of the Labour Party for the House of Representatives, Awka North and South Federal Constituency,” Aghasili said.

​She quickly dedicated the primary victory to ordinary citizens, particularly the youth and women within the constituency who she said are yearning for inclusive governance and socioeconomic opportunities.

​”This victory is not mine alone,” Aghasili emphasized. “It belongs to every young person yearning for opportunity, every woman whose voice deserves representation, every community seeking responsive leadership, and every citizen who still believes that politics can be anchored on principle, sincerity, and genuine service.”

​The LP candidate extended her appreciation to the party hierarchy, delegates, and volunteers whose tireless efforts and logistics coordination ensured a smooth primary process.

​”I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of the Labour Party, the delegates, party faithful, supporters, volunteers, and every stakeholder who placed their confidence in this vision and candidacy,” she stated, adding that the trust is a responsibility she does not take lightly.

​Reflecting on her professional background, Aghasili noted that her career as a lawyer and her passion as a cultural advocate have adequately prepared her for the rigorous task of lawmaking and community development.

​”As a legal practitioner and cultural advocate, my journey has always been centered on preserving our heritage, empowering communities, and building institutions that outlive individuals,” she noted.

​She promised to transition these core values into federal legislative duties, promising a departure from transactional politics to a more institutionalized, people-oriented representation at the National Assembly.

​Looking forward to the general election, Aghasili outlined her legislative blueprint, which hinges on economic empowerment, infrastructural lobbying, and educational advancement.

​”Our campaign will remain focused on practical representation, youth and women empowerment, education, infrastructure advocacy, economic opportunities, cultural preservation, transparency, and accessible governance,” she affirmed.

​She called on the electorate of Awka North and Awka South to unite behind her candidacy, promising a clean, issue-based campaign driven by constructive dialogue and direct community engagement.

​”This moment is proof that a new generation of leadership is rising in Anambra State and across Nigeria. A leadership that listens. A leadership that serves. A leadership that understands that public office is a responsibility to the people, not a privilege above them,” Aghasili concluded.

…As PG begs for urgent govt, public–spirited individuals’ intervention

Years of ravaging soil erosion at the popular UBA Junction along Enugu-Onitsha expressway near Orie-Owa junction, has cut-off the Umudim community of Imezi-Owa, EzeaguLGA, Enugu State from the rest of the local government and other parts of the state.

The junction, which provides the only access point to the Umudim community, also serves part of Ezema community, particularly those living around the Ugwu-Ezema axis.

But, following intense rainfalls, which swept off the double culvert erected by the community several years ago, through solely community efforts and engagement of youths of the community, they no longer have access to their homes.

The community folks have for more than 30 years, managed to channel the large volumes of water off the Enugu-Onitsha expressway from the MOPOL Junction up to the Umuaji junction, through manual labour and community efforts, now has finally given way due to heavy rainfallon Wednesday.

As at now, the double culvert, earth embankments and other remedial measured put in place by the community to channel rain water successfully through the community, have been washed away.

Collapsed portions of the culvert at UBA Junction, off Enugu-Onitsha expressway, washed away by heavy rainfall (Photo credit: Umudim Youths Assembly)

As of filing this report, the Umudim community has been totally cut-off from the rest of the communities in Imezi-Owa and other parts of Ezeagu Local Government Area, making movement to and from Umudim impossible due to the wash-off of their only access road.

The community folks who returned to either visit their elderly ones or those who commute from Umudim to Enugu daily to eke out a living, have been forced to either abandon their vehicles or motorcycles along the expressway to criminals or other hoodlums or have to navigate through very dangerous but narrow road paths in adjourning communities.

The Umudim community is in dire need of government intervention from the menace of erosion, which occurred following a torrential rainfall that left the community in a state of hopelessness, Barr. Chidi Onuorah, the President-General, Umudim Development Association, stated.

Similarly, Mr. John Nebeife, a Youth Leader, explained how the youths have been working on failed portions of the community roads, carrying laterite, mixing sand and cement to erect several culverts and clearing weeds from the gutters every raining season for over 30 years to ensure that rain water finds easy access after every rainfall.

He lamented that all their efforts “have been laid waste by the last rainfall, which totally damaged everything we have been doing all these years”.

Our reporters observed that the community is yet to benefit from government infrastructure, as every developmental stride ranging from roads, to provision of water (borehole), schools and church building, were shouldered through communal efforts.

Meanwhile, the only primary school in the community, Community Primary School,Umudim, Imezi-Owa, since taken over by government, is totally dilapidated and not fit for learning any longer as it resembles an abandoned school after the civil war without any physical infrastructure in place.

According to the community folks, efforts to get the Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government, Dr. Vitalis Ndu, to assist put up stronger remedial support on the road have met brick walls, the same with the Enugu State government.

“We are calling on relevant government machinery at the Local and State levels, including the ecology office to rescue the community from this dire situation.

“Communal efforts have been on–going in the maintenance of the road, but the current level of devastation has gone beyond us,” the community leaders pleaded.

Four years ago, when Godsown Odilichukwu Onuzulike decided to return to school for a second degree in a field that has now become a major area of his contribution to society, he never imagined the remarkable path it would lead him down.

Before now, he was already widely known as the President and Founder of The Potter’s Wheel Foundation, a national non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to improving the lives of children, youths, and women across Nigeria through impactful interventions and empowerment initiatives.

He is currently a student of Peaceland College of Education, where he studies Educational Management and Political Science. During his time at the institution, he contested for the office of President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) and emerged victorious.

Since his emergence as SUG President of Peaceland College of Education, Rt. Comr. Godsown has continued to demonstrate proactive, innovative, and people-oriented leadership. His administration has remained strongly committed to the welfare and development of students, earning him admiration across the institution.

Among his notable achievements was the organization of the institution’s first-ever one-on-one interactive session between student leaders and the school management, creating an opportunity for students to openly discuss pressing concerns and receive direct responses from leadership. The initiative recorded positive outcomes and strengthened communication within the school community.

In another landmark achievement, he successfully restored pipe-borne water to the institution after more than seven years of unavailability. The project also introduced a flow-meter system, ensuring that students pay only for the exact quantity of water consumed, thereby eliminating exploitative estimated billing practices.

Under his leadership, Peaceland College of Education hosted the National Inauguration Programme of the Education Students Association of Nigeria (ESAN). He also facilitated the establishment of the ESAN chapter in the institution and launched a rich and informative monthly ESAN newsletter, which has continued consistently.

His academically driven programmes have further increased students’ enthusiasm for education and significantly enhanced the visibility and reputation of the institution.

In addition, through The Potter’s Wheel Foundation, hostel students have continuously benefited from the distribution of sanitary pads since November last year. More recently, the Foundation donated the sum of ₦500,000 to the Students’ Union Government to support indigent students within the institution.

On 19th May, following extensive deliberations by student leaders across Enugu State in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Rt. Comr. Godsown Odilichukwu Onuzulike was elected Chairman of the Council of SUG Presidents, Enugu State (COSPEN).

The decision of the student leaders and NANS was not by chance, but rather a reflection of the popular saying that “the reward for good work is more work.”

Indeed, greater responsibilities now rest upon him, and indications strongly suggest that he will not disappoint those who entrusted him with this mandate.

Leading leaders who, in turn, represent students across various tertiary institutions in Enugu State is by no means a small responsibility. However, his emergence has already sparked hope for purposeful leadership and progressive engagement among students in the state.

Though his tenure as COSPEN Chairman is expected to last for just three months, it promises to be impactful and memorable. This is evident in the visionary programmes already outlined under his leadership, including:
1. A conference bringing together past SUG Presidents from tertiary institutions across Enugu State.
2. A one-day intensive leadership, entrepreneurship, hands-on skills, and soft skills training programme targeted at students in all 24 tertiary institutions in the state.
3. The launch of the first-ever COSPEN Quarterly Magazine.
4. Student welfare and intervention projects across institutions.

Without doubt, the responsibility of piloting the affairs of COSPEN is enormous. Yet, with his track record of service, innovation, and commitment to humanity, many believe Rt. Comr. Godsown Odilichukwu Onuzulike is fully prepared for the task ahead.