Dunukofia Council Honours Mrs Onuekwusi For Rejecting N5000 Bribe During Anambra Guber Election

When she dismissed a plan to sell her conscience for a fraction of meat last Saturday, November six, she did it without wanting any glory or awards.

Her aim at that moment was just to protect the destiny of her children and grandchildren.

But for others who watched the viral video of Mrs Eunice Onuekwusi from Ukwulu in Dunukofia Local Government Area, refusing five thousand naira in exchange for her conscience during the Anambra governorship election, she demonstrated spectacular courage and an exemplary virtue that is needed to usher Nigeria into her next dispensation of hope.

In this report, our correspondent, David Okpokwasili tells how this woman has been feted by her community for living uprightly.

At a time when several Nigerians have lost hope and would rather choose to ask like the Biblical Philip asked of Nazareth, “Can any good thing come from Nigeria?”, the video that emanated from Ukwulu Community of Mrs Onuekwusi brought back rays of hope.

Mrs Onuekwusi was just one out of many women who did not bow to pressure or want for any monetary reward to sell their conscience for mere five thousand naira but hers was spectacular because even in the face or fear of intimidation and on the glare of the camera, she stood for what she believed.

First recognition for her came from Governor Willie Obiano, who during a special thanksgiving mass at his country home Aguleri, to mark the victory of the All-Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and her candidate, Professor Chukwuma Soludo at the polls gave her a cash gift of one million naira to encourage her and urge others to learn the virtue.

But like the saying “Charity begins at home”, the Traditional ruler of her community, Ukwulu, Igwe Peter Uyanwa decided to honour Mrs Onuekwusi in the presence of her town’s women and kinsmen

Igwe Uyanwa who said he felt proud that his community is now trending for the positive reasons, said the action of the woman is a major step to ending corruption and prayed that this will encourage other persons to do the right thing at all times.

For the President General of the community, Mr Christopher Ayiofu and the Woman Leader of the Community, Mrs Njideka Anusi, it was a thing of pride for Ukwulu community, while describing the recognition of the woman by Governor Willie Obiano as the beginning of good things that will come to the community.

Mrs Onuekwusi who said she has been awed by the numerous recognitions she had received since the video went viral, stated that selling her vote was equivalent to selling her right, as she felt having independence of thought and conscience in the voting process were the best ways to protect her future and that of her children.

Later, the traditional ruler of Ukwulu, Igwe Uyanwa presented a certificate of recognition and cheque of fifty thousand naira from the Macaulay Heritage Foundation to Mrs Onuekwusi as the women sang different songs of joy and excitement