Define Roles Of Monarchs, Union Presidents -Group

The President of Anambra
State Association of Town Unions, Dr Jude Okolo, has called for a definition of the functions of presidents-General of town unions and the traditional rulers.
Speaking at an awards ceremony orgainsed by the association to raise funds for its N250 million cultural centre in Awka on Friday, Okolo said such definition would curb the increasing rate of acrimonies between them.
He attributed the acrimonies between the two groups in some communities to improper definition of their respective functions.
“In communities where these functions are not properly defined or where one or both of these stakeholders are not well exposed, friction, rancour and acrimony tend to be the order of the day.
“This acrimonious situation definitely slows down the pace of development in such communities and by extension, adversely affects the development of the state,’’ he said.
Okolo said that to end such rifts, the association planned to liaise with the leadership of the traditional rulers council, hoping that it would go a long way to provide good governance at the grassroots.
He said that the union decided to honour eight prominent citizens of the state posthumously in recognition of their service to the state.
He explained that the cultural center was to take the association to the next level.
Those who received the posthumous awards included the first President of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and a literary giant, Prof. Chinua Achebe.
Others were the former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, former Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, the founding President of the union, Chief Chimezie Ikeazor, and music legend, Chief Osita Osadebe.
Also given awards were constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Chelsea of England player, John Mikel Obi, Nollywood star, Chief Pete Edochie, and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
Other recipients  were a business mogul, Prince Arthur Eze, former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, human rights lawyer, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, and novelist Chimamanda Adichie, among others.

Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke (right), presenting certificate of registration for meritorious youth service to the representative of the Proprietor of Charity Ezeemo Trust, Mr Sochima Ezeemo, in Awka, recently. Photo: NAN