Barrister Ifeatu Obi–Okoye, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, has described the recent attacks on the police personnel in the state as a by-product of the recent End Sars Movement.
He gave the indication during public presentation of the book “Ndi-Ogidi”: Historical Milestones and Patrilineal Genealogy of Ogidi Kingdom”, in Ogidi, noted that after the End Sars Movement, some police stations were razed, ammunition carted away, and jail breaks recorded which occasioned the escape of criminals from prisons as well as some detainees in custody of the defunct Sars.
According to the Special Adviser, the government has studied the mode of operation of the escaped prisoners, targeted against the police with some special grievances and maybe motive to secure arms to perpetuate criminal activities.
Talking about the attack on Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s police personnel, Obi-Okoye expressed delight that government has made progress in arresting some suspects, saying those involved would be brought to book.
Barrister Obi-Okoye commended the author of the book, Ms. Iotanna Nzegwu, and encouraged the people of Ogidi to be part of the author’s efforts to assist the community in rediscovering themselves.
Contributing, a High Chief in the Ogidi kingdom, who is also a former Dean, Faculty of Engineering at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University, Uli Campus, Professor Philip Atanmuo, recommended the book for all Ogidi indigenes to discover their family roots.
Professor Atanmuo, expressed worry over the depleting Igbo culture and language, leading to erosion of Igbo cultural values which place high premium on the sanctity of lives, respect for elders and constituted authorities.
The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alex Onyido in a speech, commended the author for bringing the Ogidi people to limelight, and urged his subjects to enrich their knowledge by picking copies of the books.
His counterpart and the traditional ruler of Nnobi, Igwe Nick Obi, while appreciating the efforts of the author of the book, recalled the blood ties binding the Ogidi, Nnobi and Uke communities and the notable fact that the foremost Ogidi author, Late Professor Chinua Achebe, was born in Nnobi.
Reviewing the book, Dr. Fred Anowai, of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu Campus, recommended it for all Ogidi indigenes as an operational tool to know their roots and especially mentor their children for posterity.
Others who eulogized the efforts of the author include, Professor Ogo Ibeneme of Unizik, an established author Mr. Chidi Obi from Ogidi, and Chief Justin Obidiwe also from Ogidi.
The author, Mr. Nzegwu in his vote of thanks, said he was motivated to write the book to bridge the gap in the faint recorded history of the origin of the Ogidi people and the over dependence on oral tradition to tell their story, and thanked all who made the occasion a success.
