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ENUGU CITIZENS LAUD GOVERNOR UGWUANYI FOR STABILIZING TRAFFIC ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE

Published

5 years ago

September 9, 2020

Enugu people have lauded the state government for bringing sanity in the state traffic activities. A cross-section of residents interviewed testified that the government has made frantic efforts to halt the hitherto incessant harassments of motorists in the state by some agents of the government. A resident of the state and a public affairs analyst, Mr. Jeff Ejiofor revealed that prior to the inception of the current administration in 2015, the chaotic traffic situation in the state was worrisome and of major concern to motorists in Enugu state.

He said that some flashpoints such as Holy Ghost roundabout/Old Park, Okpara Avenue, Otigba Junction, NOAS Junction, Abakpa Liberty, Ogui Junction, and some other busy areas of the city were like a hell to motorists who at times spent hours in the traffic build-up. Mr. Ejiofor averred that Holy Ghost and Old Park areas were the most affected as motorists dreaded and avoided them like a plague. He pointed out that even with a good road network in the city, the traffic crisis occasioned by this problem was a nightmare and it negatively affected the socio-economic life of the city.

He further stated that the unfortunate situation prompted an unconventional response by both the state and some urban local governments who, through the Ministry of Transport and Capital Territory Development Authority, recruited local tugs to enforce traffic rules. According to him, the touts as expected, and who were mandated to earn their income from what they get from the field turned a nightmare to motorists and consequently made life most difficult for road users and ordinary citizens of the state.

He apparently said that various state and local government agencies turned the problem into a cash cow for both the tugs and their paymasters through illegal harassment and extortion of motorists. He alleged that the boys introduced a system of setting traffic traps for people with the sole aim of extorting money from them, accusing Enugu East local government as the worst and most notorious of them. He revealed that throughout that period of terror, the Abakpa axis became heavily dreaded and avoided by law-abiding citizens. He concluded by saying that people who disparage the current administration for any reason have a short memory. Recounting the ordeal of residents especially motorists before the coming of Gburugburu, he said it was an era of terror that nobody will forget in a hurry. He thanked the governor for the traffic sanity which the people enjoy today as a result of his responsive ingenuity and appealed for support to enable him to take Enugu state to the next level.

Another concerned resident and a top civil servant, Dr. Godwin Chukwu while describing the situation in Enugu at that time, said it was akin to a police state where road users became so scared of going out for fear of being molested by the touts under the umbrella of MOT/CTDA. He declared that the fear of the tugs became the beginning of wisdom in Enugu, with residents and visitors living in palpable fear as a result of the unknown. Dr. Chukwu bemoaned the activities of these ill-informed miscreants who he said were backed by the local authorities to constantly instill fear on the citizens. He narrated the helpless ordeal of the conventional traffic police who according to him usually watched motorists bullied and manhandled for no just cause.

The Gleamer News learned that all efforts made by the masses through complaints and calls on the then government for help fell on deaf ears. Even on radio programmes, people called and complained bitterly about the evil activities of these criminals, yet nothing was done.

According to respondents, these illegal urchins continued terrorizing road users unabated till 2015, when an astute administrator, Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi came to power. As a caring leader who loves the masses, Ugwuanyi listened to the cries of the people and immediately suspended the activities of these terror groups. On that fateful evening, the announcement was made, jubilation erupted in the streets of Enugu, heralding a new era of freedom in the State, recounted an eye witness.

After the historic suspension of the illegal groups, he, the governor, quickly recruited over 1000 able-bodied young people and gave them 3 months of professional training in the art of traffic control. He subsequently kitted and equipped them properly with a mandate to, in conjunction with the conventional traffic police; restore traffic sanity in Enugu State.

This singular action of the governor according to residents, explains his unmatched intellectual capacity in the area of governance. He was said to have solved a problem as old as modern Enugu in less than one year of assumption of office. The respondents who looked relieved told The Gleamer News that traffic sanity has completely returned in Enugu and nobody is being harassed or molested again by tugs in the name of traffic control.

From our findings, the people are happy with Gov. Ugwuanyi who they say, has not only by this action secured Enugu roads by ensuring traffic sanity and freedom of motorists, but has also provided employment for teeming Enugu youths desirous of making their own contributions to the development of the State. According to them, he has done in one year what his predecessors could not attempt in 16 years of their leadership in the state. Gburugburu they said is indeed an icon and should be commended by all well-meaning citizens of Enugu State. They maintain that through purposeful leadership by the governor, the socio-economic life of the state has come alive again, attracting investors who sequel to the unwarranted molestations of citizens by those miscreants ran away from the state. Undoubtedly, Enugu is currently benefiting from the tranquility occasioned by this policy feat which has expectedly brought sanity in the system and given way for meaningful economic development. The people are really happy as such areas that were dreaded because of seeming intractable traffic crises are now peaceful and relatively free. Holy Ghost and Old Park no longer witness the usual traffic gridlock they were known with as according to road users, this is the first time in the history of modern Enugu one can pass the areas in less than five minutes.

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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.”

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