JULY 10: How Ngige Liberated Anambra.

In Anambra State, every July 10 is our other Easter.

On Easter, Christ offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. He was crucified, died, was buried, and resurrected to bring salvation to mankind. Similarly, though not in the same spiritual sense-July 10, 2003, stands as the day one man staked his life to liberate Anambra State and lay the foundation for a new political order.

On that day, His Excellency, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, OON, then Governor of Anambra State, was held hostage at gunpoint for over five hours at the Government House in Awka by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Raphael Ige (now deceased), assisted by more than 250 heavily armed mobile policemen. Their mission was to force the Governor to sign a letter of resignation.

Dr. Ngige refused.

He chose to stand with Ndi Anambra rather than surrender the state to the grip of political godfatherism and the systematic pillaging of public resources. Backed by immense political influence at the federal level, the enemies of democracy cordoned off both the Government House and the Anambra State House of Assembly in an attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government.

When the Governor was later moved to Choice Hotel, Awka, where additional security personnel had been deployed, he displayed extraordinary courage by breaking free from captivity long enough to establish contact with the anxious nation. He announced that he was alive and had not resigned from office, contrary to the false claims already being circulated by his captors.

The rest, as they say, is history.

The dramatic events of that day have long passed, but their significance endures. Those of us who witnessed those historic moments- including members of the State House of Assembly, commissioners, special advisers, special assistants and other officials who served in that administration-have resolved to keep July 10 as a solemn day of remembrance. It is a day to honour the uncommon sacrifice of a leader who risked his life for the freedom of Anambra State and to remind ourselves that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.

Inspired by the Governor’s courage, Ndi Anambra from every walk of life rallied together under what became known as the Anambra State Liberation Army, a people’s movement with the singular resolve to defend their Governor, protect the state and resist every attempt to return Anambra to the era of political servitude. That unprecedented display of popular support became the bedrock upon which the administration delivered remarkable achievements.

THE NGIGE RENAISSANCE

Inspired by that mandate, the Ngige administration embarked on a far-reaching programme of reforms.

Salaries, Pensions and Public Finance

Within a short period, the administration cleared more than 75 percent of the inherited salary and pension arrears and paid all outstanding gratuities. It also issued an Executive Order placing the payment of salaries and pensions on First Line Charge, a policy subsequently backed by legislation enacted by the Anambra State House of Assembly. Pension rates were also increased by 134 percent.

The prompt payment of salaries and pensions, now largely taken for granted in Anambra State, can be traced to these landmark reforms.

Road Infrastructure

The administration tackled the state’s notoriously dilapidated road network, constructing over 800 kilometres of durable asphalt roads with reinforced concrete drainage systems across the three senatorial zones. Major construction companies, including RCC, Setraco and Nigercat, executed many of these projects.

Among the major roads completed were:

Isuochi–Owerri Ezukala–Ogbunka–Umunze–Umuchu–Amesi–Uga–Ezinifite–Igboukwu Road.

Otuocha–Aguleri–Umuleri–Nteje–Awkuzu–Ifite Dunu–Abagana–Eziowelle–Abatete–Uke–Ideani–Alor–Nnokwa Road.

Nnobi–Nnewi–Ozubulu–Ihembosi–Okija–Ihiala Road.

Isseke–Orsumoghu–Ukpor–Utuh–Nnewi–Awka Etiti Road.

Amawbia–Nibo–Mbaukwu–Agulu Road.

Onitsha–Atani–Osemala–Ogwu–Ikpere Road.

Extensive reconstruction of Onitsha township roads, including Modebe Avenue, Oguta Road, Ozomagala Street, Upper and Lower Iweka Road, Francis Street, Miss Elems Street and Port Harcourt Road.

Zik’s Roundabout–Nkpor–Umuoji–Uke–Nnobi Road.

Dualisation of Nnamdi Azikiwe Avenue and other township roads in Awka.

Major reconstruction of township roads in Nnewi, including Bank Road, Ezemewi, Ibeto and Nnewi High School roads.

Many of these roads remain in service today.

Education

The administration initiated the historic return of schools to their original missionary owners through a Memorandum of Agreement signed with church leaders.

The Catholic delegation was led by Archbishops Albert Obiefuna and Valerian Okeke, alongside Bishops Hilary Odili Okeke and Simon Okafor, while the Anglican delegation was led by Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Bishops Ken Sandy Okeke, Dr. Efobi and Dr. Okpala.

On September 15, 2005, 87 primary and secondary schools were officially returned to their missions. The succeeding administration of Mr. Peter Obi later expanded the exercise by returning the remaining schools.

The administration also revitalised the Universal Basic Education programme by paying about ₦1.6 billion in counterpart funding, recruiting 1,700 primary school teachers and 1,000 secondary school teachers, rehabilitating schools and providing instructional materials. These interventions laid the foundation for the educational recognition Anambra State received in subsequent years.

Higher Education

The administration restructured the state university into a multi-campus institution and secured accreditation for 32 academic programmes, including Law, Medicine and Engineering, while expanding infrastructure at the Uli campus.

Healthcare

The administration ended the prolonged 18-month doctors’ strike and restored confidence in the health sector by paying counterpart funds owed to international donor agencies.

General Hospitals in Onitsha and Amaku, Awka, were upgraded into specialist/teaching hospitals and equipped with modern medical facilities, including equipment shipped from the United States and new ambulances.

Primary healthcare also received renewed attention through the recruitment of doctors for local government health services and the introduction of incentives to encourage medical personnel to serve in rural communities.

Security

To improve public safety, the administration established the Anambra State Vigilante Service through legislation enacted by the State House of Assembly, providing organised community security across the state.

Other Landmark Achievements

Among other notable achievements of the 34-month Ngige administration were:

Decongestion and relocation of major markets dealing in building materials, textiles and electrical goods from central Onitsha to Ogidi, Ogbunike, Bridge Head and Oba.

Revival of the Onitsha and Awka water schemes, restoring pipe-borne water supply to both cities before the administration left office in 2006.

Delineation of agricultural development zones in Omor, Ifite-Ogwari and Ogboji.

Changing the state’s slogan from “Home for All” to “Light of the Nation.”

Promoting religious harmony by ensuring equitable treatment of all Christian denominations in government appointments and public affairs.

A LASTING LEGACY

Subsequent administrations have continued to build on aspects of the foundation laid during the Ngige years. Yet many Ndi Anambra still look back on that period with nostalgia, often comparing the pace and quality of governance then with present realities.

When the Court of Appeal upheld the decision that removed Dr. Ngige from office, he complied peacefully with the judgment and handed over power with dignity. He also left behind savings of approximately ₦13.8 billion (equivalent of 10.04 million USD in today’s exchange rate ) alongside investments in Orient Petroleum and substantially reduced liabilities to banks and other financial institutions.

The Justice Ononiba Commission of Inquiry, established by the succeeding administration, acknowledged the existence of these funds and commended the administration for its stewardship.

Today, as we commemorate July 10, we salute the courage of a leader who chose principle over personal safety and whose actions altered the course of Anambra’s political history.

May the spirit of vigilance, sacrifice and service that defined that day continue to inspire generations of Ndi Anambra.
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Anambra Liberation Team.