By Sunny Igboanugo

For sometime now, one Basil Ogbuanu, said to be a Lagos-based businessman, has been up and about dragging the name of Senator Jim Nwobodo and his wife, Patricia. In issue is a piece of land at an estate owned by the former Governor of old Anambra State.

I hear the matter is already in court, where both parties are trashing the issues, some of them, of criminal dimensions. That is not my concerns. Both have their lawyers to do what they are paid – canvass the arguments around the res.

But here is the thing. Since the matter came to the fore in the public space, I’ve heard a number of people ask one critical question – what is Nwobodo doing with land at this time and stage of his life?

This question is as legitimate as it is germane. For one, the former governor, former Minister and Senator representing Enugu East between 1999 and 2003, is supposed to be relaxing in his Amaechi country home in Enugu State or any other place of his fancy, counting the tea leaves.

Perhaps, the only source of worry at this time, as an elder statesman, and by right, one of the fathers of the nation, might be the parlous state of affairs in Nigeria, whose history he played a central role in trying to shape as one of the highly recognisable political faces.
But, outside that he ought not have further worries. His schedules these days ought to be hosting visitors trooping to his home, giving counsel and generally guiding the country to get better.

I watched Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the late Owelle of Onitsha, play this role. As a journalist, working with The Guardian in Enugu, there was no week I didn’t escort one dignitary from across Nigeria and beyond to the Onuiyi Haven, Nsukka abode of the late sage, returning back with a bag-full of both good stories for my organisations and other goodies, including fresh editions that flowed from his legendary storehouse of jokes and historical tales.

So, when this current saga broke and many people began asking this question, they were right. Jim, as he is popularly called, is not supposed to be found in any sort of controversies, let alone court one himself.
But, that in itself, is the problem. By what I could glean from this saga, two elements inform the Senator’s contestation. One of them is to preserve his name and the second is to protect his wife. These are the two most precious essentials in his life as of today.

Now, anyone close to him or the family, is aware that the former governor doesn’t joke with his wife. For him, it is a no-go area. Anyone who doesn’t want to see his red eyes should avoid going after madam.
So, Ogbuanu, by including his wife in his current offensive, seems to have touched the axiomatic tiger’s tail. Part of the issues that went to the Enugu high court, I hear, has to do with the alleged clash that led to the alleged physical detention of madam in the estate by alleged Ogbuagu’s workers.

On the second issue, seems his apparent determination not to bend the rules or cut corners, or throw his weight around even as the current undisputed “father” of Enugu State over the land issue, seems not to help matters. In fact, it’s at the heart of the matter.
He narrated how he bought this piece of land in 1976, three years before becoming governor, intending to use it for a hotel project, only to abandon the idea after joining politics.

Some years back, he decided to carve it into an estate. Ogbuanu was among those who bought into it. But there was a snag. The law used to acquire the land was the lease system, before the Certificate of Occupancy system introduced in 1978. So, to legitimise the status, he applied to the land authorities for a change.
Now, this was supposedly the genesis of the problem. Nwobodo, maintained that he directed all those who bought into the estate to wait till the right papers were secured before they could start building. But Ogbuanu, unlike others failed to comply.

Now, two things resulted from this. The estate is said to occupy a small area. Nwobodo said his intention was to transform it into an exclusive ambience – a quiet environment with ornamental trees and flowers with prototype structures. This idea, he said was the main attraction to those who bought into it.

But, again, Ogbuanu, reportedly defied the agreement. In total violation of the concept of the estate, he was said to have commenced building student hostels, as opposed to the model structures, thereby defacing the originally planned ambience.

This triggered off other land owners, who totally scandalised, threatened to pull out. Yet, Ogbuanu, reportedly remained adamant when reminded of the development and the need to keep to the originally agreed terms. He was even said to have also defied a stop-work order by land authorities, who marked the buildings for removal.

On the other hand the businessman, is claiming that he obtained all the relevant papers from the Senator authorising him to commence building and that he was not violating any law.

From the following one fact is established – there is an existing deal. Nwobodo is not denying this fact. Now Ogbuanu is accusing the Senator of demolishing his structure, which he denies. On the other hand, Nwobodo, is insisting on returning Ogbuagu’s money, which he flatly refuses. Therein lies the stalemate.

It is only the court that can decide who is wrong or right here. Hopefully, it will soon.

Outside this, and without joining the fray, I’m on all fours with the Senator. He is well within his right to take steps to protect his family and his integrity. Only an omonile – the ubiquitous criminals parading major cities as land speculators, are in the habit of selling lands to their victims and moving to collect them back by other means.

Isn’t this the community reading any critical observer would make of Ogbuanu’s allegation? Or what else would he adduce for calling the Senator out, outside practically imputing some omonile behaviour to him, which amounts to bespattering the Senator with the paintbrush of infamy?

So, in the main, it is not about land or money per se. It’s about what Shakespear meant when he wrote some 600 years ago – the purest treasure mortal times afford is a spotless reputation. That away, men are but gilded loam or painted clay…My honour is my life, both grow in one. Take honour from me and my life is done.

So, if at 86, Nwobodo loses everything, including witnessing a robust, thriving Nigeria, he once experienced before the years of the locust took over – if the dreams of witnessing once again in his lifetime, a Nigeria flowing with milk and honey evaporates – he must not be blamed for clinging to and protecting the true treasure every man ought to live by or die for – a spotless reputation.

That is the crux of the matter here.

Enugu State is witnessing growing anticipation ahead of the maiden edition of Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026, with the much anticipated youth engagement programme now just one week away.

Scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, the programme is being convened by the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State at the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Peter Ogbonna Eze, under the theme: “Beyond Quotas: Unlocking Opportunities for Enugu Youths Through the Federal Character Commission.”

The event has emerged as one of the most quietly talked-about youth initiatives in Enugu and beyond, with considerable interest building among young people who see it as an opportunity to gain direct access to information capable of changing the trajectory of their careers and livelihoods.

Peter Eze, one of the most prominent, respected and influential young men Enugu State has produced, has positioned the initiative as a practical response to a longstanding challenge confronting young people; not necessarily the absence of opportunities, but the difficulty of finding, understanding and accessing them.

For years, many Enugu youths have yearned for a platform of this nature: one that brings credible information about jobs, scholarships, grants, fellowships, internships, government programmes, private-sector opportunities, digital opportunities, entrepreneurship, career development and leadership directly to them.

According to observers, the significance of Peter Eze Youth Connect lies in its departure from the conventional youth empowerment model, where young people are often gathered primarily to listen to speeches. Instead, the programme is designed around information, access, practical guidance and connection to opportunities.

Speaking about the initiative, Eze said the programme was conceived to help young people move from simply hearing that opportunities exist to understanding exactly how to pursue them.

“Our objective is to help young people understand where legitimate opportunities exist, how to identify them, how to apply, what is required, and how to position themselves for success,” Eze said.

He explained that thousands of young Nigerians possess the qualifications, talent and determination to succeed but are often disadvantaged by the absence of timely and accurate information.

He said Peter Eze Youth Connect was therefore created to bridge that information gap and provide a platform where young people can learn, connect and position themselves for opportunities at both national and international levels.

The initiative is expected to attract young people from across the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State, including graduates, entrepreneurs, students, job seekers, professionals and young people seeking opportunities for career and personal development.

Eze urged Enugu youths to make the most of the programme, stressing that access to the right information, combined with preparation and determination, can significantly improve their chances of success.

He further challenged young people to stop waiting passively for opportunities and instead develop the capacity to identify, pursue and position themselves for available opportunities.

With just seven days to go, the growing excitement surrounding the event suggests that Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026 could mark the beginning of a new conversation around youth development in Enugu State, one that shifts the focus from promises to access, from information to action, and from waiting for opportunities to actively pursuing them.

• Guard arrested, blames devil for the murder

A security guard identified as Abdul Latiff has reportedly been arrested for allegedly killing his employer, Mrs Marbel Okafor, at her residence on Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to reports, Mrs Okafor employed Abdul as her security guard during the first week of August 2026. However, barely two weeks after he resumed work, tragedy struck.

On August 16, Abdul allegedly entered his employer’s room and stabbed her several times in the stomach.

A neighbour reportedly heard Mrs Okafor screaming and repeatedly calling Abdul’s name. When the neighbour approached him to find out what was happening, Abdul allegedly claimed that his employer was frightened by a cockroach and that this was why she was shouting.

He was said to have subsequently taken three mobile phones, ₦10,000 from her purse and other valuables before fleeing in a vehicle to Jalingo, Taraba State, his reported hometown.

Neighbours later discovered Mrs Okafor’s body and alerted the police. Following an investigation, officers reportedly traced the suspect to Taraba State, where he was arrested.

When questioned about what his employer had done to provoke the alleged attack, Abdul reportedly replied that she did nothing to him, describing his action as “the devil’s work.”

The matter is reportedly being investigated by the police but no official statement has been issued on the incident, which has gone viral on the social media.