There’s a silent cry beneath our streets. You hear it when you drive past Nkwo Nnewi and see traders pushing through heat and dust just to earn a living. You see it in the dim lights of our schools, in the rusting roofs of Ekwusigo’s health centers, and in the frustration that now defines “ordinary governance.”
Once upon a time, the name Nnewi stood for progress — a city of inventors, industrialists, and bold dreamers. Today, we are struggling to live up to that legacy. And the question is: how did we get here?
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, over 45% of youths in Anambra State are unemployed or underemployed. In the old Nnewi constituency, small businesses that once powered the local economy are closing faster than they open. Roads linking Nnewi North, South, and Ekwusigo are collapsing, yet millions vanish yearly under the banner of “constituency projects.”
That’s not just a governance failure — it’s a dignity crisis.
Let me tell you a short story.
Last month, I met a young mechanic in Otolo. He had converted his father’s backyard into a mini-workshop powered by a solar panel. “Government no dey see us,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow. “We dey see ourselves.” That statement hit me like thunder. Because in truth, that’s what we’ve become — a people surviving in spite of government, not because of it.
Our leaders often show up only during elections — all smiles, branded rice, and camera crews. They speak of empowerment but build nothing that empowers. They promise inclusion but practice politics of exclusion. They talk about the future but invest in yesterday’s methods.
But a constituency cannot thrive on propaganda and handshakes. It thrives on structure, vision, and honesty. We must begin to ask tougher questions:
Where did the constituency allocations go?
Why are our schools still begging for chalk in 2025?
Why do our markets still depend on private boreholes for water?
Restoring dignity means restoring accountability. It means giving our people the power to demand results without fear. It means electing leaders who will spend less time posing for headlines and more time building factories, schools, and jobs.
The old Nnewi Federal constituency deserves more than survival — it deserves revival.
We have the human capital. We have the resources. What we lack is sincerity in leadership and unity in purpose.
So, when next a politician arrives with promises wrapped in music and megaphones, ask them one question:
What will you leave behind when the music stops?
Because this time, history is watching — and so are we.
Linus Anagboso .
Digital Solutions Consultant. Columnist. Community & Leadership Advocate.
#D-BIGPEN — Inspiring Impact Through Words & Innovation
