Anambra State Truth, Justice, Peace Commission Set To Curb Mindless Impunity, Iniquity, And Monstrosities

By Polycarp Onwubiko

It is incontrovertible to assert that the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has never hidden his mindset to change the narrative of governance in Anambra State, in particular, and Nigeria in general.

An analytical observation of his governance template so far has indicated that Nigeria can effectively tackle the ever-eluding "National Question": overlooking the primordial sentiments of ethnicity, religion, and geographic regions to build a "Nation" where there is justice, equity, equality of opportunity, competency in public administration, and a fair political party selection process towards general elections.

The visual evidence of Governor Soludo's single-minded demonstration of the possibility of the ever-eluding unity of Nigeria and embracing the philosophy of "Anambra State is home for all" by Dr. C. P. Ezeife, the first civilian Governor of Anambra State, was evident in Soludo's initial employment strategies in the critical sectors of education and healthcare delivery. He opened vacancies to Nigerians who could perform exceptionally in competitive examinations.

 Anambra State youths might have initially resisted this radical step, but youths from other states who performed well and received employment letters couldn't believe their luck, as their states had never taken such a cosmopolitan outlook in public administration. One can describe this noble gesture as a revolutionary step towards the unity of Nigeria.

In the selection of the team for the "Truth, Justice, Peace Commission (TJPC)," Governor Soludo again demonstrated his commitment to competency across all areas of his administration. The Chairman of the 17-man TJPC, Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, hails from Imo State—a legal luminary known for his versatility as a lecturer, member of notable international institutions, and a columnist in prestigious newspapers like The Guardian and Vanguard. Other outstanding members include Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, the wife of the founder of APGA, and Monsignor Jerome Madueke, Hon. Commissioner for Information, Ebonyi State, Mr. John Otu, among others.

The TJPC, inaugurated on June 23, 2022, was mandated to thoroughly examine the "remote and immediate" causes of serial violence and killings in communities, youth restiveness in urban and hinterlands, and the exuberant quest for self-determination in the Southeast Geopolitical zone. Governor Soludo's primary concern is to create a serene environment in the state to pursue and achieve his development agenda for the state and the Geopolitical zone. The five Igbo Governors in the Geopolitical zone need a peaceful ambiance to articulate their socioeconomic growth and development plans.

With determination, the TJPC submitted an "Interim Report" to Governor Soludo in February of this year, addressing the time-honored gargantuan task of dealing with violence, killings, and agitations in the volatile Southeast geopolitical zone. Soludo commended the Commission and other partners, including the United Nations Development Programme, for their efforts in distinguishing agitation from wanton criminality.

Governor Soludo's "Truth, Justice, Peace Commission (TJPC)" is the first of its kind, a civilized and refined model that other state Governors should adopt to address the deep yearnings and aspirations of their people in deep privation and agony. This approach aims to assuage the deep-seated grievances resulting from unspeakable iniquities, atrocities, and mindless monstrosities perpetrated by State and Non-State Actors.

The TJPC, led by Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu and a team of carefully selected great minds, is conducting a thorough examination of the remote and proximate causes of resentment, grievances, and injustices in Anambra State, with a deep passion and assurance to reconcile aggrieved individuals, groups, and organizations.

By the grace of God, the indomitable team of TJPC will provide pragmatic roadmaps and recommendations to Governor Soludo to make Anambra State a livable and civilized environment for sustainable socioeconomic growth and development.

 

Polycarp Onwubiko, JP, Author, and Public Policy Analyst.


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