Royal Tragedy: Unraveling The Nepali Royal Massacre

 By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD

Issues regarding the National Light Newspapers came up again at an expanded meeting of journalists in Anambra State. The passion of the discussion showed how dear the newspaper was to Anambra journalists, particularly ex-staffers. I won't elaborate further, as an appeal has gone out for a rebranded National Light Newspapers organisation.

Anambra State Governor's wife, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, is very supportive of her husband's mission for a livable and prosperous Anambra State. Her support has been outstanding, particularly concerning health matters and living habits. She is not only teaching the best ways to achieve healthy living, but she is also educating the public, making her a health educator and teacher of the decade. She is also becoming the voice of the voiceless in advocating for girls' menstrual hygiene, child abuse, drug abuse, and healthy living remedies.

Jude Mascot Obiagwu is a name one can't miss on the airwaves of ABS radio and television. He passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024. He was a lion while alive. On Saturday, June 15, 2024, his remains will be interred in Uga, his hometown. However, a dead lion has no value. If Mascot had been arranging a burial for his aged parents, his influence would have been evident, but now, he himself passed away unceremoniously. Fortunately, his associates, led by Bro. Hyman from Abatete rallied to give him a befitting burial. The flow of assistance wasn’t as robust as it would have been if Mascot were alive and calling for help.

Additionally, Radio Love Dr. Mike Nwangwu Junior, known as MNJ, just passed away at around 56 years old. He ruled the airwaves for decades with his love stories and as a master of ceremonies, but his race has ended. He was from Enugu State. May their souls rest in peace.

Nominations for the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council 2024 Man of the Year are ongoing. The search for nominations will end in July 2024, and the process to crown a new Man of the Year will begin. The 2022 Woman of the Year award was won by Dame Dr. Ada Umeoji, OON, Agubataofia, MD/CEO of Zenith Bank. The 2023 Man of the Year award was won by HRH Igwe Pharm Alex Uzo Onyido, Ezechuamagha of Ogidi Kingdom. Who will win the 2024 NUJ Anambra Man of the Year award? There are already quality nominees and more nominations coming. But the question is, who will emerge as the winner?

Life is fleeting, yet people aren't learning from it. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, is now the Acting Vice-Chancellor as Professor Charles Esimone's tenure ended on June 3, 2024. His mission in Unizik is termed HP², which means Happy Productive Staff and Happy Progressive Students. The acronym to achieve this short-term goal is "BLEDS," meaning Beautify Unizik, Light up Unizik, Excellent Unizik, Digitize Unizik, and Secure Unizik.

This powerful and perfect short-term agenda is already mobilizing the support of staff and students, even as Unizik was already lit within 48 hours of his assumption of duties as Acting VC. God has a message for those destroying the image of the university for nothing. Nobody is against anyone's ambition, but don't destroy the institution in the struggle for recognition. Prof. Esimone has done his part, Prof. Ikechebelu is now in charge, God willing, for the next year before a substantive Vice-Chancellor is appointed. Who knows God's decision? Stop fighting for nothing. Be strategic in your ambition.

Nonye Soludo is even encouraging gardening beside homes, as it used to be in the past across Igboland. She has engaged in this and demonstrated diligence in nursing her garden, even though the garden is currently being transplanted. It's a way to announce that every household should provide most of its vegetable needs from a backyard garden.

As an eagle without competition, Nonye Soludo has continued to soar, with her efforts breaking new ground. She is admired by all in the nooks and crannies of the state because she has been consistently true to her beliefs. Her discipline and consistency have reached a zenith, becoming a passion for her. There are no hassles or stress in her efforts to educate about healthy living.

Listening to her during her outreach at the 18th convocation and award ceremony of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, addressing the university community, shows a woman who is at home with culture, tradition, religion, and education in equal measures. It's a story for another day.

During her outreach to markets in the state, including Afor Igwe Main Market, Umudioka, Nkwo Nnewi Market, and Coke Market in Onitsha, Mrs. Nonye Soludo has continued to explain the need for traders to have a primary consciousness of hygiene. Her Non-Governmental crusade, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, has permeated the nooks and crannies of Anambra State. Leaders at various institutions, organisations, markets, and churches are now requesting hygiene education and crusades from the Nonye Soludo Initiatives.

At every visit, she has consistently taught the importance of improved personal and environmental hygiene around business vicinities to help control the spread of diseases. It is imperative to see people now observing the common rules of hygiene and adopting the right health habits because of her persistence in the crusade.

Soludo's wife didn't mince words in telling rural folks and others everywhere she goes that healthy habits, like washing hands after using the toilet and after touching money, cleaning drainages, and adequately disposing of waste, are crucial. She also encouraged converting others into apostles of a cleaner environment as a task for all. She insisted that healthy living is affordable and the best way to stay alive and sickness-free.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Health and State Coordinator of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, Dr. Afam Obidike, has been true to his words in championing the crusade whether Her Excellency is around or not. He insisted that the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative has impacted the overall health programmes and achievements of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo. According to Dr. Obidike, the Governor's wife is using her crusade to build a new mindset that will benefit every resident of Anambra State.

Commendations have been flowing in from the General Chairman of Coke Market, Onitsha, Mr. Patrick Udeze, President-General of Umudioka Progressives Union, Chief Uchenna Malobi, and Chairman of Afor Igwe Main Market, Mr. Dennis Okwuosa, alongside Woman Leader Mrs. Uju Mbamalu, who commended the Governor's wife for targeting markets for her healthy living crusade and pledged to lead the new culture in the market.

In Nnewi, House Member representing Nnewi North in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Augustine Ike, lauded the impact of Soludo’s wife's campaign on healthy living as it has corrected many wrong habits in society. The President-General of Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, and Chairman of Agbaedo Market, F-Line, and Secretary Lady Nancy Ifebi assured that they would adopt and escalate the healthy living message of hope.

Her campaign didn’t stop at hygiene and food habits but also included a crusade against drug abuse and related offenses. She urged parents and adults to ensure a drug-free environment for children to grow healthy, rekindling the spirit of communal child-raising of old. Donations of packs of waste bags, aprons, buckets for hand washing, and disinfectants were made.

During these outings, people were not pushed or harassed due to her exceptional humility and love for humanity. She is focused on using her status and privilege to effect change. Was she pretending, or are these genuine traits in her? I was confused and called the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, who confirmed that it was in her nature, and I hadn't even seen the full extent of her efforts.

Lo and behold, she was cooking at the Model Community Children's Home in Awka during the 2024 Children's Day for the second time in two years. I wasn't privileged to eat, but those who did said it was a pure organic meal. She didn’t stop there. She ate and danced with them. I don’t understand this one yet. Is Nonye Soludo a Governor's wife or a humanitarian ambassador in the government house?

The traditional ruler of Okpuno, Igwe Sunday Okafor, had an exciting weekend. I wanted to ask him why, but Ukpa Ewa volunteered information from his boss, MD/CEO of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Chief Ossy Onuko, IfeIgbo. His agency, with the approval of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has rehabilitated most of the women sacked from street trading along Club Road in Awka and its environs.

The place is called Solution Arena, and beneficiaries must be previously displaced street traders who applied for space in the new area. The shops were a wonder to behold, and previously displaced street traders who praised Soludo benefited. Why wouldn't Igwe Okpuno be happy? The good news is that the stalls were given to the beneficiaries at no cost.

Governor Soludo was happy with the initiative, describing it as a model solution to the problem of street trading. He further said it's a prototype to be replicated across the state. The Solution Arena comprises 40 units of lock-up shops and market stalls in Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area. Despite the initial pains encountered by the displaced shop owners, it’s a heartwarming consolation and an endorsement of the empathy, inclusiveness, and listening ear of the first family.

This initiative is part of the activities to regenerate Awka Capital into a world-class urban center, free from the clutter of uncoordinated petty trading. According to the ACTDA boss, Soludo’s government is committed to moving traders off the streets and into designated areas to be established in other semi-urban and urban centres.

For one month, I studied the communication flow of the office of Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, and her Healthy Living Initiatives. I must commend the media aide, Daniel Ezeigwe, for being a one-man riot squad. Let me also thank all those helping to amplify his efforts. We have highlighted his efforts via: www.odogwublog.com ever since our NAWOJ encounter with Her Excellency, albeit indirectly. I wish you well, Bro.

Shalom!

Cornucopia is a weekly column by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD. Odogwu is a well-known journalist, editor, media and public relations consultant, media entrepreneur, teacher, lecturer, motivator, unionist, community leader, social analyst, famous blogger, social media entrepreneur, publisher, and conversationalist. Visit: www.odogwublog.com for more.

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