The Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Mr Leo Nwuba has confirmed that contrary to the recent uproar in the media over the renaming of Abakaliki Street in Awka, the Awka Capital City had long designated another street to be named Abakaliki Street within the Capital City.

The new Abakaliki Street runs from Club Road, across Queen Suites to Enugu-Onitsha Expressway at the Parktonia Hotel end of the road. The street has clear signs identifying it as Abakaliki Street on both ends.

Mr Nwuba expressed surprise that there was no attempt to balance the story of the renaming of the street with the announcement that another street had been also renamed as Abakaliki Street.

Explaining that the renaming of the former Abakaliki Street as ‘Club Road’ was part of the on-going efforts to interpret the Awka City Master Plan, the Council Chairman revealed that the plan was being tweaked to fit things into their proper places.

Mr Nwuba expressed shock that anyone could have read a malicious meaning into the renaming of the street and quickly dismissed the speculation that it was an attempt to discriminate against anyone as false.

Throwing more light on the development, Mr James Eze, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Anambra regretted that the renaming of the street had been given a wrong interpretation by some people.

"Governor Obiano is the last man to put down a fellow human being let alone his own Igbo brothers. It is totally inconceivable that anyone could assume that the renaming of Abakaliki Street was done with an intention to spite anyone. The question to ask is, to what purpose, really?” queried Mr Eze.

According to him, "Governor Obiano has always been clear about what he wants to do about the new Awka Capital City. The former Abakaliki Street and the surrounding area have been designated as the entertainment hub of the city. That is where you have the largest concentration of entertainment hangouts. It is also a part of the city that never sleeps. We have a 24 hours life there. Government has provided adequate security, streetlights, road markings and everything that would encourage a 24 hours life in that axis. That district is gradually evolving into what might be called the Las Vegas of Nigeria especially on Friday nights,” Eze further explained.

He revealed that when there was an effort to rename the old Abakaliki Street as ‘Willie Obiano Avenue', the Governor had quickly turned it down because he wanted the streets within that entertainment circuit to bear names that reflect the offerings of the area.

"He is meticulous about what should be where. That is why he has mapped out an area that would be known as the Central Business District within the capital. Other areas are also being carved out and properly designated. So, there is really no such thing as an attempt to discriminate against anyone in Governor Obiano’s plan.

To underscore Governor Obiano's openness to all, Mr Eze explained that recently, the Governor announced that he had set aside the sum of N765m for commercial motorcyclists in the state to enable them replace their motorcycles with shuttle buses following the policy to restrict them from operating in Awka and Onitsha respectively.

"The beneficiaries of this loan are indigenes of the five states in the South East, Delta and Kogi State who are mostly involved in the motorcycle transport business in Anambra State. This kind of initiative cannot come from a governor who has any intention to discriminate against people,” Eze further explained.

He wondered why anyone would associate Governor Obiano with discrimination of any type, pointing out that "Governor Obiano has always maintained the posture of a modern Nigerian leader who treats every citizen with equal respect and dignity.”

From the Office of the Chief Press Secretary, Government House, Awka

Is that the only thing that bothers Abakiliki men in Anambra state ? I think the battle should be on Okada Ban which 'll take effect soon, a high percentage of Abakiliki men are into Okada biz in Anambra

Anambralstson:


The Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Mr Leo Nwuba has confirmed that contrary to the recent uproar in the media over the renaming of Abakaliki Street in Awka, the Awka Capital City had long designated another street to be named Abakaliki Street within the Capital City.

The new Abakaliki Street runs from Club Road, across Queen Suites to Enugu-Onitsha Expressway at the Parktonia Hotel end of the road. The street has clear signs identifying it as Abakaliki Street on both ends.

Mr Nwuba expressed surprise that there was no attempt to balance the story of the renaming of the street with the announcement that another street had been also renamed as Abakaliki Street.

Explaining that the renaming of the former Abakaliki Street as ‘Club Road’ was part of the on-going efforts to interpret the Awka City Master Plan, the Council Chairman revealed that the plan was being tweaked to fit things into their proper places.

Mr Nwuba expressed shock that anyone could have read a malicious meaning into the renaming of the street and quickly dismissed the speculation that it was an attempt to discriminate against anyone as false.

Throwing more light on the development, Mr James Eze, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Anambra regretted that the renaming of the street had been given a wrong interpretation by some people.

"Governor Obiano is the last man to put down a fellow human being let alone his own Igbo brothers. It is totally inconceivable that anyone could assume that the renaming of Abakaliki Street was done with an intention to spite anyone. The question to ask is, to what purpose, really?” queried Mr Eze.

According to him, "Governor Obiano has always been clear about what he wants to do about the new Awka Capital City. The former Abakaliki Street and the surrounding area have been designated as the entertainment hub of the city. That is where you have the largest concentration of entertainment hangouts. It is also a part of the city that never sleeps. We have a 24 hours life there. Government has provided adequate security, streetlights, road markings and everything that would encourage a 24 hours life in that axis. That district is gradually evolving into what might be called the Las Vegas of Nigeria especially on Friday nights,” Eze further explained.

He revealed that when there was an effort to rename the old Abakaliki Street as ‘Willie Obiano Avenue', the Governor had quickly turned it down because he wanted the streets within that entertainment circuit to bear names that reflect the offerings of the area.

"He is meticulous about what should be where. That is why he has mapped out an area that would be known as the Central Business District within the capital. Other areas are also being carved out and properly designated. So, there is really no such thing as an attempt to discriminate against anyone in Governor Obiano’s plan.

To underscore Governor Obiano's openness to all, Mr Eze explained that recently, the Governor announced that he had set aside the sum of N765m for commercial motorcyclists in the state to enable them replace their motorcycles with shuttle buses following the policy to restrict them from operating in Awka and Onitsha respectively.

"The beneficiaries of this loan are indigenes of the five states in the South East, Delta and Kogi State who are mostly involved in the motorcycle transport business in Anambra State. This kind of initiative cannot come from a governor who has any intention to discriminate against people,” Eze further explained.

He wondered why anyone would associate Governor Obiano with discrimination of any type, pointing out that "Governor Obiano has always maintained the posture of a modern Nigerian leader who treats every citizen with equal respect and dignity.”

From the Office of the Chief Press Secretary, Government House, Awka

This is commendable.. But like I said, it actually means nothing renaming a street as such act isn't the problem affecting the common man out there. The Abakaliki man is hustling to make ends meet not some street naming jamboree that gives him little or no benefit.

Dave umahi should have known this before approaching the media to vent his angst

Mutemenot:
Is that the only thing that bothers Abakiliki men in Anambra state ? I think the battle should be on Okada Ban which 'll take effect soon, a high percentage of Abakiliki men are into Okada biz in Anambra

What's the actual percentage of Abakaliki men and how many are into Okada business?

Jax1:


What's the actual percentage of Abakaliki men and how many are into Okada business?

Don't mind him. Hausa and yorubas make up more than 80% of okada riders in Anambra

Jax1:


What's the actual percentage of Abakaliki men and how many are into Okada business?

Don't just ask that bro, You can visit okpoko and Idemili then get back to me.

DrGoodman:


Don't mind him. Hausa and yorubas make up more than 80% of okada riders in Anambra

Which Yoruba 're you talking ? If you mention Hausa, I won't doubt you much but remember many of them disappeared after the riot that took place some years back.

Mutemenot:


Don't just ask that bro, You can visit okpoko and Idemili then get back to me.

Is that how u arrived @ " high percentage of Abakiliki men" with just 2 instances?

Thought u would go into proper detailing as statistical data isn't about window dressing

A supposed "Light of the Nation" can't spell right; Abakaliki not Abakiliki, and Approved not Apprved on a common signpost.

That signpost must be taken down and corrections made on Abakaliki and Approved.

Ignorance is a bliss!

Jax1:


Is that how u arrived @ " high percentage of Abakiliki men" with just 2 instances?

Thought u would go into proper detailing as statistical data isn't about window dressing

Anambra men and AbaKIliki.

Una deh find am hard to write or pronounce AbaKAliki with una Onitsha tongue

Nawao

Funnicator:


Anambra men and AbaKIliki.

Una deh find am hard to write or pronounce AbaKAliki with una Onitsha tongue

Nawao

Bros no vex.. I just dey type without proofreading.

More reason that IBO's are not mature to have a country. Imaging they give them Biafra republic south Sudan will be Fair compare to Biafra.

Mutemenot:
Is that the only thing that bothers Abakiliki men in Anambra state ? I think the battle should be on Okada Ban which 'll take effect soon, a high percentage of Abakiliki men are into Okada biz in Anambra

were did you get the statistics from, must u type rubbish.

Mutemenot:


Which Yoruba 're you talking ? If you mention Hausa, I won't doubt you much but remember many of them disappeared after the riot that took place some years back.

Your people are in every nooks and crannies in Anambra state both men and women, the women are selling Agbo and carrying loads in the markets, men selling harbal medicine, Riding Okada, taxi, bricklayers etc