Governor approves N15 million support for mass burial of 43 crisis victims

Governor approves N15 million support for mass burial of 43 crisis victims

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has approved the sum of N15 million to support the mass burial of 43 indigenes of Ogwuaniocha community who lost their lives during a violent crisis in November 2021.

The cheque was presented on behalf of the governor by the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barr. Anthony Ifeanya, to the President General of Ogwuaniocha Progressive Association, Mr. Vitalis Ekweanua, in the presence of other community stakeholders.

Commending the community for its efforts towards reconciliation and peacebuilding, Ifeanya assured them of the governor’s commitment to bringing development to Ogwuaniocha.

He stated that the community, as a host to critical resources, would receive all entitlements due to it under the present administration.

In his remarks, Ekweanua disclosed that the mass burial was conducted on April 20, 2025, as part of a broader initiative to heal and restore lasting peace in the troubled community. He said the burial was funded through communal efforts pending government support.

While expressing appreciation for the N15 million intervention, Ekweanua lamented that the community still remains largely deserted.

He called on the state government to intensify efforts in rebuilding the area through infrastructure and social development initiatives.

“Ogwuaniocha community is completely deserted. Nothing good is happening here. “Our children don’t longer go to school because the entire schools in the community (primary and secondary schools) were all destroyed due to the communal crisis.

“As I speak to you, about 90 percent of the houses, including my house as the President General of the town, were destroyed beyond repair.

“Our healthcare facilities are also affected. Nothing good is happening here. We are currently helpless. We seriously need our solution governor to urgently intervene.

“The company drilling oil in our community is also our major challenge, ever since they commenced operation in the area, we stopped farming and fishing due to the oil spilling and no compensation has been given to us.

“For the past three years, we have been living in fears, pain and hunger as a result of the crisis. Our kidnapped traditional ruler has remained missing since the crisis broke out in November 2021 under the immediate past administration of Governor Willie Obiano.

“We are appealing to governor Soludo to extend more of his kind-hearted agenda for Ndi-Anambra to our community by reconstructing the affected facilities and also build us a bridge at Ulasi River that would link Umunankwo to Ihiala Local Government Area of the state. And with this I believe the community would regain back her lost glory.”