Yesterday Sunday, the Mayor Nnewi North, Hon. Echezona Anazodo took the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Community Affairs, Chief TonyCollins Nwabunwanne on a visit to Ukwaka Bridge in Nnewi North, under-construction.
Earlier before the visit, Chief Nwabunwanne had presided over a peaceful and credible town union election for Nzuko Ora Nnewi, the apex civic body representing the collective interests of Nnewi’s four quarters. That transparent process drew commendations from community leaders, youth stakeholders, and observers alike — yet another feather in the Commissioner’s cap for restoring democratic values and consensus-building at the grassroots.
The Ukwaka Bridge — a lifeline project conceptualized and executed by the Mayor of Nnewi North, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, in alignment with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s people-first governance mantra — stands as a beacon of what local initiative fused with state support can accomplish. For decades, residents of surrounding communities braved hazardous crossings during the rainy seasons. Swollen streams turned pathways into perilous, impassable divides. But now, hope flows where water once threatened — channelled through concrete, steel, and vision.
Commissioner Nwabunwanne’s visit wasn’t ceremonial. Since assuming office, he has redefined the role of the Ministry. With a reputation for grassroots engagement and administrative reform, he has led audits that flushed out ghost workers in council systems, introduced streamlined payrolls, and insisted on transparency in local governance across Anambra’s 21 LGAs.
His prowess in conflict resolution has also made him a dependable peace ambassador. In February 2025, he played a pivotal role in mediating the Umuoji–Umuoba Anam–Aguleri communal clash, overseeing a landmark peace meeting that led to the formation of a Peace and Reconciliation Committee. That intervention restored calm to a region once on the brink of protracted unrest.
At the Ukwaka site, as construction workers moved with rhythmic precision and the sounds of welding and hammering filled the air, the Commissioner moved alongside Mayor Anazodo and a team of local stakeholders. Youth leaders, elders, and onlookers followed with curious optimism. Addressing the gathering, Chief Nwabunwanne emphasized that the bridge wasn’t just a physical structure — it was an emblem of inclusion. “This bridge represents more than connectivity — it’s a promise that development must touch every corner of Anambra,” he said.
Hon. Anazodo, visibly moved by the Commissioner’s presence and encouragement, expressed gratitude. “This is what local government should look like — responsive, inclusive, and driven by the needs of the people,” he affirmed, pledging continued commitment to people-centric projects that improve lives.
As dusk fell and the entourage prepared to leave, an elderly man from Uruagu, watching from beneath a tree, offered a soft but profound remark: “This man is not just a Commissioner — he’s a bridge to a better tomorrow.”
