Dr Uche Nworah, a former Managing Director, Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, under the administration of former Governor Willie Obiano, has responded to recent comments made by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, regarding the renaming of Abakaliki Street in Awka.
Recall that the former Governor had changed the name of the popular street from Abakaliki Street to Club Road, while he held sway at the state helm of affairs, a decision that was greeted by a lot of criticisms.
On Tuesday, Soludo, at a brief ceremony, formally restored the Abakaliki Street, a decision that was hailed by many.
In a statement on Soludo’s decision to restore Abakaliki, Commissioner Mefor had distanced the present state administration from the initial renaming, clarifying that the renaming of Abakaliki Street to Club Street and the assigning of an adjacent street to Abakaliki Street occurred under Soludo’s predecessor.
A media aide to Soludo, Mazi Opara Ejimofor, has also explained that the street holds sentimental value for Pa. Peter Uzodimma, who cleared and graded the road in 1975 and officially registered it with the authorities.
Ejimofor said Uzodimma’s efforts symbolize the strong bond between the people of Anambra and Ebonyi states, adding that Governor Soludo’s decision to restore Abakaliki Street demonstrates his commitment to preserving historical legacies and promoting peaceful coexistence.
But in a statement on his Facebook page, the former ABS boss, Dr Nworah described the Anambra Information Commissioner’s remarks as true but quite unfortunate, stating that he lacked the necessary historical context and could cast the previous administration in an unfair light.
According to him, the Commissioner should have inquired about the reasons behind the renaming from those who were in office at the time.
“Government is a continuum. You inherit assets and liabilities. The Soludo government is an offshoot of the Obiano government, just as the Obiano government was an offshoot of the Peter Obi administration,” Nworah posited.
Nworah recalled that the decision to rename Abakaliki Street to Club Road during the Obiano administration was not arbitrary, but rather a calculated destination marketing strategy.
The goal, he explained, was to enhance visibility and accessibility in the emerging nightlife district of Awka, making it easier for visitors and locals alike to locate hotels, clubs, and other entertainment hubs.
He further clarified that the name “Abakaliki” was not discarded or disrespected, as another street adjacent to Club Road was simultaneously renamed Abakaliki Street.
“Nothing was lost in this process,” Nworah emphasized. “The name Abakaliki was not disrespected in any way.”
Dr. Nworah concluded his remarks by urging public officials to exercise caution when commenting on sensitive matters related to previous administrations, especially when such comments may distort historical facts or influence public perception.
PIC DESCRIPT
Soludo and Pa Uzodinma during the restoration of Abakaliki Street in Awka today
