Ndiowu Monarch Backs Soludo’s Caretaker Committee, Calls for Unity to End Community Crisis

By Our Reporter

The Traditional Ruler of Ndiowu community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Highness, Igwe Ben Chibuzor Okekeifi, has thrown his full support behind the newly appointed Caretaker Committee of the Ndiowu Town Union, describing the Anambra State Government’s intervention as a necessary step towards restoring peace, rebuilding unity and repositioning the community for sustainable development.

The monarch, while reacting to the appointment of the committee by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, commended the state government for its timely intervention in the prolonged leadership crisis that has reportedly divided the community and generated disagreements among stakeholders.

The caretaker committee, chaired by Mazi Chibuzor Jonathan Okoli, popularly known as Joe Japan (Agu N’achi Ochi), is expected to stabilise the town union, promote reconciliation and organise a credible election that will usher in a substantive leadership for the community.

Igwe Okekeifi described the development as a fresh opportunity for Ndiowu to overcome its past challenges and begin a new chapter of peace, understanding and collective progress.

“This is a defining moment for Ndiowu. The intervention of the Anambra State Government and the appointment of a new caretaker committee represent the necessary steps towards bringing our people together again, restoring peace and rebuilding the foundations of our community.

“As the traditional ruler, I wholeheartedly welcome this development and assure Mazi Chibuzor Jonathan Okoli and his team of my full support. Their assignment is an important one, and I urge them to approach it with the highest sense of responsibility, impartiality, transparency and commitment to the overall interest of Ndiowu,” the monarch stated.

The traditional ruler noted that the prolonged disagreements, particularly those surrounding the community’s town union constitution, had created divisions, strained relationships and distracted the people from pursuing common development goals.

He expressed optimism that the new caretaker administration would provide an opportunity for reconciliation, healing and the rebuilding of trust among the various interest groups in the community.

The monarch also congratulated Okoli and members of his committee on their appointment, urging them to make peace and reconciliation their foremost priorities while ensuring that every section of Ndiowu is carried along in their activities.

Igwe Okekeifi further called on Ndiowu sons and daughters, including traditional and community leaders, village representatives, elders, women groups, youths and indigenes in the diaspora, to rally behind the caretaker committee and contribute to the rebuilding process.

“I appeal to all Ndiowu sons and daughters, wherever they may be, to embrace this new opportunity. Let us put aside whatever differences we may have had, forgive one another where necessary and work together for the greater good of our community.

“No individual or group is greater than Ndiowu. Our collective interest must supersede personal ambitions, political affiliations and sectional considerations. This is the time to close the chapter of unnecessary disagreements and open a new chapter of peace, unity, progress and development,” he said.

The monarch emphasised that the responsibility of restoring peace should not be left to the caretaker committee or the traditional institution alone, stressing that the cooperation and genuine commitment of all stakeholders would be critical to achieving lasting stability.

He also urged the committee to engage widely with community stakeholders, promote inclusiveness and ensure that the process leading to a substantive town union election is credible, transparent and acceptable to the people.

According to him, a peaceful and credible transition would strengthen confidence in community leadership, deepen participation and provide a solid foundation for sustainable development.

Igwe Okekeifi particularly encouraged the youths and women of Ndiowu to remain peaceful and constructive, describing them as important partners in the effort to rebuild the community.

He also acknowledged the contributions of individuals and groups who had continued to advocate peace and reconciliation, urging them to sustain their commitment to the collective interest of Ndiowu.

Expressing confidence in the future of the community, the monarch said cooperation between the state government, traditional institution, caretaker committee and the people would help Ndiowu overcome its challenges and reclaim its position as a peaceful and progressive community.

He reaffirmed his commitment to providing fatherly leadership anchored on justice, reconciliation, mutual respect and the collective advancement of the town.

The monarch concluded with a renewed appeal for unity, declaring:

“Together, we can rebuild Ndiowu. Together, we can restore its dignity. Together, we can make Ndiowu great again. Let peace reign, let unity prevail and let the development of our community be our common priority.”

The appointment of the caretaker committee has generated excitement among sections of the Ndiowu community, with residents expressing hope that the intervention will end the prolonged leadership disagreements and pave the way for a peaceful, transparent and credible town union election.

For Ndiowu, the success of the new administration will depend largely on the willingness of stakeholders to embrace reconciliation, cooperate with the caretaker leadership and place the future of the community above individual interests.

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