By Wisdom Nwedene
A Concerned Ebonyi Indigenous Group in Diaspora (EIGD) led by a United Kingdom based Ebonyi-born Business Mogul, Azubike Daniel popularly known as Zubitech Global has petitioned the Ebonyi State government under the leadership of Francis Nwifuru to rename some streets in Abakaliki, the capital city of the state bearing Anambra related names.
This outburst is coming after the Anambra state government recently renamed a major street in Anambra State formerly known as ‘Abakaliki street’ to ‘Club street’.
The government in defense stated that the renaming was necessary after the street massively developed over the years and currently houses different club houses, hotels and other recreational centres.
The Anambra government would go ahead to change every sign post, numbering and tag bearing Abakaliki street to Club street signalling that the renaming was serious and immediately effective.
However, Chief Peter Uzodinma who happens to be the man that named the street as far back as the 1950’s cried out over the renaming stating it as a move to waste his efforts from old as one of the few people who built Anambra state to the level it is currently.
Chief Uzodinma who hails from the Izzi Local government area of Ebonyi state narrated how he moved to Anambra state in the 90’s and purchased a land which has now developed into the Abakaliki/club street.
According to him in an interview with newsmen, the land which he purchased decades ago was empty and bushy but he insisted and lived there with his family from whence he did all the jobs he did back then to survive while he maintained the land.
The elderly Chief further noted that he decided to name his then house and now fully occupied street in Anambra after Abakaliki because it is where he comes from.
However, the state government seems to have taken a stand while some residents of the state and in the street have shared their thoughts on the renaming.
While some vote against the development, others are taking sides with the government stating that the renaming was necessary.
One resident said; “I feel the renaming was necessary because when people hear Abakaliki street, they would probably see the street as occupied by classless individuals, but the renaming to Club street clearly identifies that the street is full of clubs and anyone who wants to come around would know they’ll meet a lot of club houses.”
Another resident said; “I feel the renaming was necessary because the street is not only occupied by Abakaliki people but the man who named the street should be compensated.”
A male resident stated that; “The renaming is not an impressive development because that man must have worked very hard to maintain the land and the least the government can do is let the street retain the name to crown his efforts and have him understand that they appreciate him.”
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Ebonyi group led by the Business Mogul, Zubitech Global has petitioned the state government insisting on them to immediately rename streets it named after Anambra state including;
- Awka Street
- Onitsha Street
- Abangana Street
- Aniekwena Street
- Oraifite Street
- Umuoji Street
- Odinukwe Street
- Nsugbe Street
- Afoezuna Street
- Awkuzu Street
- Nteje Street
- Abatete Street
- Nnobi Street
- Emeofo Street
- Udemezue Street
- Obiri Street
- Umuchu Street
- Aniekwe Street, etc.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the group’s chairman, Zubitech Global said what’s is good for the goose is also good for the gander.
The business Mogul also recounted how the people of Anambra state have continually underrated and hated them from time immemorial.
Zubitech Global had to recount the killing of no fewer than 13 Ebonyi Indigenes in Anambra State less than 2 months ago.
According to him, “Anambra indigenes have always had the idea that they are superior to Ebonyi Indigenes inculcated in them from little.”
Also, many have recalled how they were bullied, underrated and maltreated in Anambra State as residents and/or wherever they found themselves dealing with them.
Therefore, Zubitech Global alongside other indigenes are insisting that unless the street in Anambra State retains its original name ‘Abakaliki street’, all streets in Abakaliki that were named after Anambra in anyway must be changed.
