Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, returned the Abakaliki Street name to use after it was renamed to Club Road by the previous administration of Governor Willie Obiano.
Soludo, on Wednesday, unveiled a new signpost on the street inscribed with ” Abakaliki Road ” in bold letters, signifying the official return of the street name to use. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Ebonyi state residents in Anambra and was celebrated with Pomp and pageantry.
According to Soludo, his reason for returning the name was solely based on its significance as a historical landmark, and such landmarks should not be changed for posterity’s sake.
He recalled his reaction when the previous governor changed the road to “Club Road” to reflect its place as an entertainment hub in the state. He remembered wondering why the street name was changed and is finally happy to effect a change back to its original name.
The governor called the initial change of the name from “Abakaliki street” to “Club road” a mistake and said it was too trivial to stand. He revised the name change, correcting it to the delight of the Ebonyi people in the state.
The gesture follows the unfortunate killing of over 10 Ebonyi indigenes in Ogboji, Anambra state, over an alleged leadership tussle. The Anambra Police arrested one suspect, Sunday Mbanu, linking the attack to a leadership dispute within the Ebonyi association.
The Anambra and Ebonyi state governments condemned the attack, vowing justice while placating the families of the victims of the attack. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo urged swift action to prevent reprisals, while investigations continue to uncover the perpetrators.
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Thousands of Ebonyi indigenes reside in Anambra State, comprising a core number of economic refugees. Economically, Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra engage in diverse activities, primarily trading, artisanry, and small-scale businesses.
Many also work as tricycle operators (Keke Drivers), farmers, and labourers in the state, working on private farms.
Governor of Ebonyi state, Francis Nwifuru, recently announced plans to return indigenes working as laborers and farmers in other states to Ebonyi and empower them.
Nwifuru complained that indigines of his state were being exploited for cheap labour in other states, and his administration would put an end to it.
