By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Ndị Anambra have been charged to prioritize the maintenance of law and order and living up to their civic responsibilities as a sine qua non to the realization of a livable and prosperous homeland, as envisioned for the state by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
The Managing Director, Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO), Sir Chuka Nnabuife, gave the charge while addressing newsmen and guests at the Office in Awka, during the ANCISRO’s End-of-the-Year Forum, during which he also revealed the core reasons behind the creation of ANCISRO by the Governor.
Nnabuife went memory lane to recall the ages past, when, he said, great societies never toyed with maintaining orderliness through upholding their laws and encouraging citizens as well as sojourners to live up to their civic duties, and when there was keenness for law and order, high sense of patriotism and such vital development factors as concern for the wellbeing of the land, genuine interest in one’s neighbours and hospitality, without which, he said, no land would grow to a greater one.
He, however, noted that, at best, in a society where these essential ingredients are lacking, there would be pockets of individual instances of richness while the larger society would remain impoverished —a situation, he opined, would make everyone feel unconnected while the weak feel increasingly, alienated, making them to infest their angst on society in the form of disenchantment, engaging in criminal activities such as arson, violence and other vices.
According to Nnabuife, it was in a bid to forestall these that Governor Soludo established the Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO) on September 1, 2024. While describing ANCISRO as a social orientation faculty in the Governor’s Office, he further revealed the ANCISRO’s primary aspiration to foster a socio-cultural renaissance that will make Anambra a land of great happy people in manner and means.
“ANCISRO has its chores clearly cut out as the name stipulates. It seeks to inspire and instill an enduring reformation of the values and social conduct of Ndi Anambra with the view of making the state livable and robustly prosperous,” he stated.
He further explained that the Office employs both enlightening and entertaining approaches, leveraging all channels of social communication to mobilize and align both the government and the people for the common good; while additionally promoting the Igbo culture and indigenous language, as part of its core activities.
Continuing, Nnabuife, a veteran journalist and former MD/CEO of the defunct Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation (ANPC), lamented the fast degeneration of societal values, which, he said, had reached an unprecedented level.
“Our society’s values may never have dropped as low as we are witnessing currently. Greed, rage, crimes, killings, even suicide and unprecedented vices now mark the news and public discussions day by day,” he noted.
He also decried the growing trend of using hunger as an excuse for misdemeanors, pointing out that many of these acts stem from character flaws and disregard for laws and social conduct; even as he also criticized how ethics and morals have been replaced by the pursuit of quick wealth, even in places traditionally known for teaching values, such as homes, communities, and faith-based organizations.
“Youth organizations that orientate people towards social service, volunteerism, and patriotism are now becoming extinct,” he observed, warning of the increasing danger posed by this moral decline.
Citing instances of individuals neglecting basic responsibilities like maintaining cleanliness, paying taxes, and collaborating with others to ensure security; Nnabuife also expressed concern about the lack of patriotism and civic responsibility among citizens, noting that many disregard law and order and fail to contribute positively to their communities.
The ANCISRO Boss also noted that the chain of terrible, inexplicable deaths recorded recently across the country during sharing of Christmas rice might not have happened “If hitherto law and order as well as the sense of sharing and leaving no one behind, which Gov. Soludo’s Solution Government emphasizes, have been the norm…”
He, however, stressed that ANCISRO aims to prevent such embarrassing situations by fostering a sense of responsibility and community spirit.
“The goal of ANCISRO is to achieve, in Anambra, a livable and prosperous homeland where none is left behind. Towards that target, we sensitize and mobilize Ndị Anambra,” he concluded.
Delivering a keynote address at the event, a legal luminary, Barr. Akachukwu Mmaduakolam, who spoke on “Celebrating the Yuletide Amid Anambra Values with the Solution Agenda”, dissected some shared values appropriated by Anambra State, which include hard-work, integrity, and respect, further highlighting how the state utilizes and can still maximize each towards a greater society.
While acknowledging that Anambra enjoys huge benefits of boundary relation with different states among other unique and essential factors that make it a first-choice destination to people in their search for greener pastures; Barr. Mmaduakolam lauded the creation of the ANCISRO, while also calling on the Office, the media, and other elites in the state to work harder on awareness creation, reorientation, and instilling of these values on the mass of Anambra residents, to facilitate the realization of a livable and prosperous homeland.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo, Hon. Ernest Ezeajughi, said the state government remains committed to ensuring that its policies and programs, including ANCISRO, align with the overall vision of transforming Anambra into a model state.
While highlighting the significance of social reformation in achieving the livable and prosperous homeland envisioned by Governor Soludo, Hon. Ezeajughi, represented by the MD of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), Chief Mike Ozoemena, further commended Sir Chuka Nnabuife for his leadership and innovative approaches in steering the affairs of the Office, describing ANCISRO as a timely initiative in addressing the moral and social challenges facing society today.
The event also featured remarks by some discussants, including Deputy Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Anambra State, Mr. Chinedu Okwelogu — who called for a stronger synergy between ANCISRO, NOA, and other sister agencies, both at the local, state and federal levels for maximum efficiency —and former State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Sir Victor Agusiobo, who lauded and urged ANCISRO to lead by example especially by also reorientating certain agents and staff within government institutions, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in their discharge of their services.
Also present at the event include renowned sculptor and academia, Prof. Cliff Nwana; the Anambra State Chairman, Society of Nigerian Artists, Sculptor Moses Njoku, among others.
High points of the event, which attracted people from different walks of life, include sonorous and melodious renditions from the Aquinas Chorale and the Vocal Affinity Chorale, who both thrilled and wowed the audience with their exceptional performances, among other presentations.
More photos from the event:
