Featured

ENUGU 2023: BETWEEN ZONING POLITICS AND ETHNIC REVISIONISM By Prof. Oguejiofo T.Ujam: A Rejoinder

Published

5 years ago

October 6, 2020

By Ifeanyi Ogenyi, Esq.

Some years back, I read a story of a man called Edward Mordrake, “The Man with two faces”, from an article. The article presented Mordrake as a young, intelligent, and good looking English nobleman. But apart from Murdrake’s normally handsome face, he possessed another terrifying face on the back of his head. The storylines had it that whenever Mordrake cried, the second face would “smile” and “sneer”.

It is quite alarming that a good number of Pen-Pushers are intellectually bankrupt. But I never knew that the intellectual and character bankruptcy have got to a catastrophic level until I read “Prof” Ujam ‘s article titled “Enugu 2023: Between Zoning Politics and Ethnic Revisionism” published on the 4/10/2020 in Sun news online and what came to my mind was the picture of a double-faced man- Mr. Murdrake. Mr.Ujam’s style gives no credit to the Intellectual community and even his sponsors.

Reading through the length and breadth of the article, the writer was just hobbling and nobbling without driving home any valid point nor making any sensible conclusion.

It was a jaundiced analysis, so disjointed such that I considered the writer as a double-tongued man who has a slanted sense of justice and equity. It became clear from the article that some persons are endowed with extra mouth and tongue to talk to those who could not hear them from the front. It is this anomaly against humanity for one person to have two mouths and tongues that have compelled me to respond to Mr. Ujam’s skewed analysis and his slanted sense of justice, particularly his illusive remarks about Isi-Uzo People.

Speaking from both sides of the mouth simply means making two contradictory statements at the same time or one after the other. A person who does such is dishonest and should not be taken seriously. Mr. Ujam’s article was clearly designed to confuse and manipulate the gullible public; and also to insult the sensibility of Isi-Uzo people and Enugu people in general. A mission that was dead on arrival.

According to Ujam, there is recent attempts by some overzealous politician within PDP to redefine the zoning or power rotation arrangement in the State. Whereas, the said Ujam was the one who clearly stated that “It is settled that by 2023, the incumbent, His Excellency Rt.Hon.Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from Enugu North or Nuskka cultural zone would be rounding off his second tenure in office as governor. And going by the zoning and power rotation which has been observed religiously in the state since 1999, 2023 would be another opportunity for Enugu East or Nkanu cultural to produce the next governor”.

With the above-highlighted assertions by the acclaimed Professor, the question is: who is attempting to redefine the zoning or power rotation arrangement in the state? Is there anything like Nsukka cultural zone or Nkanu cultural zone in the zoning arrangement in Enugu since 1999 which he postulates? How could Mr.Ujam insinuate and still complain that some elements, particularly in PDP are talking about rotation based on clans and cultural groupings when he is the Chief protagonist of Nsukka and Nkanu cultural zone; and Isi-Uzo people of Nsukka cultural zone and Nkanu zone. Is Ujam not the one being clannish and suffering from ethnic/cultural chauvinism? A man who considered only Nkanu East within his so-called” core Nkanu area” and other bother towns as the only people who are entitled to occupy the governorship seat. It is indeed very unfortunate that a person who supposed to know knows not.

In another breath, Mr. Ujam stated that Governor Ugwuanyi’s allies and stakeholders in Enugu East have continued to appreciate the governor for insisting on fairness and equity by ensuring that former governor Chimaroke Nnamani got the second berth in the senate after being rigged out in 2015.

But he somersaulted and cynically insinuated that any attempt to micro-zone to Isi-Uzo within Enugu East Senatorial District the governorship seat which of course is a figment of his own imagination (though right if done that way) as an invitation to the climate of confusion and mutual suspicion that zoning in Enugu State is sought to obliterate. Which confusion is Mr. Ujam talking about? Mr. Ujam should be reminded that there is an extent to which he can exercise his right to freedom of expression. He should not take it as a license to insult and threaten the state.

For Mr.Ujam, the Governor and stakeholders of Enugu East senatorial District’s insistence that Sen.Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani should have a second bite at the cherry in the senate was in the best interest of justice, equity, and fairness but micro-zoning of the governorship seat to Isi-Uzo in Enugu East Senatorial District by 2023 to produce the next governor is an invitation to anarchy. What an infertile proposition? Speaking from both sides of the mouth is a character flaw and those that do that lack the virtue of rationality as it is morally and also legally untenable for a man to approbate and reprobate.

Mr.Ujam’s position clearly portrayed him as a man devoid of any sense of justice. If zoning was put in place to ensure justice, equity, and fairness as admitted by Mr. Ujam, how could micro-zoning the governorship seat coming to Enugu East Senatorial District to Isi-Uzo, the most unfairly treated local government council in the zone since 1999 till date in power-sharing be seen by any person with an iota of sense of justice as a bad idea?

It is not in dispute as it is true that all the five local government council in Enugu East Senatorial District namely: Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Enugu East, Enugu South, and Enugu North L.G.As have occupied one or more positions meant for the zone and represented the zone in various elective positions and capacities at one time or the other. Enugu South L.G.A represented the zone in the Senate between 1999-2007, and the past, someone from the L.G.A served as a governor.

Nkanu East on its part has served as deputy governor from 2007-2015 and at the same time, Prof. Barth Nnaji served as a federal minister under President Jonathan. Enugu North which comprises some parts of Ngwo has produced a federal Minister in the person of Chief Dubem Onyia and also produce a governor in the past. Enugu East L.G.A has equally represented the zone in the seat for 8 solid years and produced VC of ESUT, While, Nkanu West produced governor in 1999-2007, Senator in 2015 and currently the serving Senator. Isi-Uzo people have not occupied any of such positions mentioned above.

The question begging for an answer: Is Isi-Uzo not part of the Enugu East Senatorial District? How did Mr.Ujam arrive at his Isi-Uzo people of Nsukka cultural zone and Nkanu zone? Isi –Uzo is an integral part of the Enugu East Senatorial District and it should be given a fair share in the power-sharing in the zone. They should not be schemed out of the power equation as suggested by Mr.Ujam

Justice is not blind. Equity delights to do justice and not by halves. Is Isi-Uzo not part of the Enugu East Senatorial District?

I was deeply worried by the illusive remarks made about Isi-Uzo by Mr.Ujam, on the surface, it looks harmless but the underpinning aim was to schmooze the gullible public with moral cliché to deny Isi-Uzo what patience, goodwill, and longtime support for others are about to earn them. But falsehood cannot conquer the truth. No matter how lies are deodorized and garnished, the truth will eventually triumph.

There is no doubt that it will be in the overall best interest of justice, equity, and fairness to allow Isi-Uzo to produce the next governor of the state come 2023 when it will be the turn of Enugu East Senatorial zone. So even the governorship seat is micro-zoned to Isi-Uzo as insinuated by Mr.Ujam, it is in order.

So, Mr. Ujam and his sponsors should stop distracting Enugu people because they know where the road leads to by 2023 and that is Isi-Uzo by God’s grace

Share on Facebook

Featured

Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

4 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

Share on Facebook