His Royal Highness, Igwe Luke Ogbu Ogbuta Okorie, Ezeanyanecheoha I of Imeoha Nkerefi, has called on the people of Nkerefi, Enugu State, and all Nigerians to renew their dedication to unity, patriotism, and development as the nation marks its 65th Independence anniversary. In a media address from his palace in Imeoha Nkerefi, Nkanu East Local Government Area, he stressed that independence is not only a celebration of freedom but a continuous summons to collective effort, sacrifice, and a shared commitment to progress.
“I salute the resilience and industrious spirit of our Nkerefi communities,” he said, “and urge each of us to continue in love, peace, and mutual respect, for this is how we safeguard the future of our children.” He praised Nigeria’s leadership for efforts toward national cohesion, and particularly commended the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for development strides in health, education, security, infrastructure, and human empowerment across the state.
But amid praise, the monarch made a solemn appeal to his Excellency the Governor: as a matter of urgency, intervene in the ongoing construction of the Ovu-Nkerefi bridge. He lamented that the project, meant to ease the suffering of his people, has dragged on beyond acceptable limits, with the contractor failing to deliver in record time. He noted that the people of Nkerefi have endured the hardship of disrupted mobility for far too long, and appealed to the Governor’s sense of justice and duty to expedite the work.
The history of the Ovu bridge makes the appeal even more pressing: the existing bridge dates back decades and was originally built during Nigeria’s military era. Throughout successive administrations, promises have been made to repair or replace it, but many efforts have stalled, leaving the community awaiting relief. Currently, a “mini-bridge” project over the Ovu River in Nkerefi (project ERGP202200136) is flagged as ongoing, but records show that its completion status is extremely low—only around 1% progress in public data. The contract is assigned under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Igwe Ogbuta called on Governor Mbah to provide oversight and compel the contractor to finish the work immediately, to relieve the daily hardship of his people and restore normal life in Nkerefi. He affirmed that traditional rulers, while custodians of culture, must also act as vigilant advocates for development and justice.
Beyond the appeal, Igwe Ogbuta also reaffirmed his commitment to community service and youth empowerment. He recalled his 62nd birthday in May 2025, when he awarded ₦6.2 million in scholarships to 62 Nkerefi students in tertiary institutions, giving each beneficiary ₦100,000 to support their education.
A custodian of Igbo tradition, the Igwe has consistently championed the preservation of cultural heritage. In 2022, he led the celebration of the New Yam Festival in Imeoha Nkerefi, stressing that such festivals must be sustained to uphold identity and tradition.
As Nigeria reflects on 65 years of independence, Igwe Ogbuta’s message serves as both a call to action and a plea for justice—a reminder that traditional rulers are not only guardians of culture but also advocates for development. His words, backed by his philanthropic deeds, continue to inspire the people of Nkerefi, Enugu State, and beyond toward unity, progress, and hope.
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