By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Good testimonies and broad acclaim have continued to trail the performance of the Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs. Amaka Obi (Iyom Ife-Abata), with residents, government officials and community leaders highlighting and praising her people-centered leadership, transformational projects and strategic interventions that have significantly improved life and livelihoods across the Council area.
Since her assumption of office, the Mayor’s administration has rolled out and executed a series of initiatives spanning economic empowerment, education, health, infrastructure development, youth and women engagement, revenue transparency and community welfare — achievements that have continued to draw appreciation and testimonies from beneficiaries and stakeholders alike.
Among others, one of the most celebrated interventions under Hon. Mrs. Obi’s tenure was the empowerment of over 700 UmuIdemili women and youths, who, after months of comprehensive training in diverse skills — including confectionaries, leatherwork, fashion and design, beauty care, and gele artistry — were financially and materially empowered with starter equipment to launch their own businesses.
The empowerment event, held in 2025 at the Idemili South Local Government Headquarters in Ojoto, attracted dignitaries including Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, and Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, alongside key stakeholders, community leaders and top government functionaries.
In his remarks at the programme, Governor Soludo testified to the exceptional performance of Hon. Amaka Obi, lauding her resilience, ingenuity and dedication to uplifting lives at the grassroots.
The Governor recalled that there was a time when controversies trailed Hon. Obi’s assumption of office as Mayor, given her gender as a female; but he said he, however, reaffirmed his confidence in her capacity, describing her as “a high tension wire.”
While noting that Hon. Obi’s energy, impact and delivery on the ground have proven doubters wrong; Governor Soludo also attested that the only female local government Mayor in Anambra state has, “evidentially and unarguably,” surpassed her male counterparts in performance, further applauding her strong collaboration with state government programmes and her relentless pursuit of community development.
Having earlier listened to other testimonies on Mayor Obi’s performance, including from market women’s associations, youth groups, community leaders and other stakeholders; the Governor encouraged her to sustain the good works, declaring that “We must promote our champions.”
Further public testimonies also mirror the Governor’s praise, as Hon. Mrs. Amaka Obi has been widely credited with redefining grassroots governance through visionary and people-centered leadership, especially in the area of infrastructure development.
Her tenure has been marked by landmark achievements that transformed decaying public facilities, improved access to essential services, and enhanced economic activities across the twelve wards of Idemili South LGA.
Under Iyom’s watch, long-neglected primary schools have seen dramatic upgrades. Among them, the four-classroom block at Community Primary School, Nnokwa, was fully modernised and recently commissioned, providing pupils with a conducive learning environment.
Similarly, a brand-new perimeter fence was also installed at Central School Nnokwa, safeguarding pupils and school assets.
Still in the education sector, the Mayor’s administration also facilitated the complete renovation of the four-classroom block at St. Simon’s Central Primary School, Umuegbu, Ngo Nnobi, a project initiated after she personally inspected the dilapidated structure and approved it for urgent attention.
The upgraded building, which now meets modern learning standards, is scheduled to be officially commissioned by the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr. Vera Nwadinobi, today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at an event scheduled to commence at 9.am at the venue.
Speaking ahead of the event, Hon. Obi has reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to improving the quality of education and ensuring that children learn in safe and functional classrooms.
“Improving quality of education will continue to be my administration’s priority,” she declared while also inviting residents to the commissioning of the project.
Furthermore, another voice that has emerged loudly in support of the Mayor is Hon. Silas Emeka Okudo, an influential political stakeholder, who publicly declared that Hon. Obi had done a great job, works effectively and will be re-elected.
He lauded her exceptional performance across various sectors, specifically recalling her role in addressing age-old challenges faced by traders and meat dealers through the construction of a standard ultra-modern abattoir, a long-awaited project that has boosted hygiene, commerce and revenue in the local government.
The Mayor’s commitment to inclusive governance and partnership with elected councillors also recently earned her a unanimous vote of confidence from the Idemili South Congress of Councillors.
In a detailed communiqué issued on January 9, 2026, the legislative arm reviewed her performance, noting that she not only addressed earlier concerns raised by councillors — such as logistics, disbursement of funds, and welfare — but also surpassed expectations with her administrative responsiveness, transparency and respect for legislative authority.
Councillors highlighted that Hon. Obi intervened promptly during the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise by clearing outstanding balances that had been delayed due to bureaucratic challenges; ensured full payment of all sitting allowances; released the assented 2025 budget to the Council Chamber to improve accountability; and upgraded the legislative complex to a befitting environment for lawmakers.
These reforms, the councillors said, have strengthened committee work, deepened community engagement, boosted staff morale and enhanced revenue transparency — contributing to peace, political stability and grassroots development.
While praise continues to pour in from all corners, including from the State Government, market women, youth groups, community leaders, and councillors; many ordinary citizens from Idemili South and beyond, are also viewing Hon. Mrs. Amaka Obi as one of the most impactful and transformational local government leaders in community governance history.
In separate testimonies shared through their social media handles, many netizens attested that her legacy of infrastructural renewal, strategic planning, educational support, financial empowerment, inclusive leadership and grassroots development has set an unmatched standard in Idemili South’s political landscape, an outstanding legacy many believe will inform future governance and also inspire emerging leaders both in Idemili, Anambra State, and beyond.
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