For the Anam community in Lagos, the weight of a nine-year division finally gave way to joy, unity, and renewed hope as members of the Anam People’s Assembly (APA) gathered in their numbers to celebrate a long-awaited reconciliation. The air was filled with laughter, handshakes, and the distinct chant of “A-P-A! ANAM DI UTO!!”—an emotional declaration that Anam is indeed sweet again.
At the heart of this celebration was Chief Raphael Nwabunwanne Okeke Ezeagbo, popularly known as CHINAEMEZE, a renowned philanthropist and community leader in Oshodi, Lagos. Having successfully championed the peace efforts that ended nearly a decade of disunity, Chief Okeke and his family took it upon themselves to host a grand celebration in honour of the reconciliation.
“It gives me concern over time because I can’t imagine myself living happily in the midst of my brothers who were divided,” Chief Okeke explained to the cheering crowd. “So I took it upon myself to ensure we have one APA in Lagos State, and as God Almighty may have it, they accepted the peace deal. That’s why my wife and I decided to host all the people of Anam in Lagos State, who are more than three thousand in number.”
It wasn’t merely a gathering; it was a testimony to what genuine leadership, sacrifice, and community spirit could achieve. From far and near, sons and daughters of Anam living in Lagos trooped in to celebrate what many described as “a new beginning.”
Sir Chibuko Okonkwo, representing the National Working Committee of APA, captured the mood of the assembly. “I joined the President General and all members of the National Working Committee of APA to commend and appreciate Evangelist Raphael Nwabunwanne Okeke-Ezeagbo for his selfless dedication and invaluable resources, which have been instrumental in fostering this unity and progress.”
Speaking at the event, Chief Alex Okonkwo, the National President of APA, described the celebration as “an uncommon achievement” for the Anam people, pointing out that this unity must now translate into meaningful development. “Anam people are known for hospitality and kind-heartedness,” Chief Okonkwo said. “We look forward to seeing this unity reflect in developmental projects back home. The people of Anam are waiting.”
In the spirit of responsibility, Mr. Aloysius Aniekwe, the newly elected APA chairman Lagos branch, reminded members of an ongoing APA building project needing collective attention. He praised Chief Okeke and his family for their generosity—not just in bringing people together, but for their long-standing impact on the lives of many Anam indigenes in Lagos, particularly at Oshodi Market.
His wife, Iyom Unoma Franca Raphael Okeke, didn’t miss the opportunity to speak to the women of the community, urging them to treat apprentices and workers under their care with love and the fear of God. “Those who served you remain like your biological sons,” she emphasized, acknowledging the sacrifices made by many for the success of the event.
Beyond the immediate celebration, Chief Okeke used the platform to issue a broader call for peace in Nigeria, emphasizing that no meaningful progress could be achieved in any community without unity. “We must learn to accommodate one another. God did not create flawless human beings. But with understanding and forgiveness, we can build together.”
By the time the event came to a close, it was clear that Anam People’s Assembly, Lagos branch, was no longer a broken house. The nine years of division had given way to laughter, renewed friendships, and a united resolve to build—not just in Lagos, but also back home in Anam.
A new chapter has begun—written not with bitterness but with shared purpose.
