The people of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have unveiled the scrulpted statue of their traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Igwe Samuel Asadu in honour of his many developmental strides in the community.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony of the statue at the Edem-Ani Central Round About on Tuesday and flanked by stakeholders of Edem-Ani Community.
Edeoga David Ajibo, the Onyishi of Edem-Ani Community (The Eldest man) said that Elders Council and the Town Union Executives decided to honor Asadu by erecting his statue, in order to recognise numerous developments he brought to the community.
He said that the community that was abandoned and forgotten by the government in terms of infrastructural development and social amenities can now boast of asphalt road, pipe burn water, free and functional hospital.
Steady electricity, fortified security guards, youths and women empowerment, among others, all courtesy of Asadu’s magnanimity and philanthropic gesture.
“There’s no better way to appreciate and honour our traditional ruler for the good work he is doing in our community than erecting and mounting his status at the centre of the community.
“Igwe’s interest and commitment in transforming our community into a modern township should be commended and encourage by all and sundry.
“We will forever be grateful to him for his magnanimity to our community, our generation will continue to cerebrate him and his story would be communicated to generation yet unborn,” he said.
In a remark, Mr. Emeka Ugwoke, President General, Edem-Ani Town Union, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Grace Onyishi, said that the erection of the Igwe’s status was the brain child of the elders council and stakeholders in the community.
Ugwoke said that decision was after considering numerous developments the traditional ruler had done including; asphalting of over two kilometer access road to the community, building cottage hospital the community access free of charge and other things too numerous to mention.
“Today, the people of Edem-Ani is unanimous in acknowledging the need to show appreciation and give honor to one who truly deserve it.
“This inform the voluntary donation of resources of villagers to construct this memorable as little appreciation to the traditional ruler kind gestures to the community,” he said.
The PG listed some of the achievements of Asadu in the community to include building of cottage hospital, tarring of access roads, schools’ renovation, youth empowerment, organising Children Xmas Party on 24th December every year for our children for the past ten years.
Giving foreign scholarship, erosion control, construction of homes for the needy, water reticulation in the community among others.
According to Ugwoke, the Edem-Ani community would continue to pray that the reign of Asadu would be long so that the community would continue to develop and grow from strength to strength.
Responding, Igwe Asadu said that, the erecting of his statue while alive was eloquent testimony that Edem-Ani people love and respect him as their traditional ruler.
“I am excited and humbled by this singular honour to me by the people in appreciation of numerous things l have done to the community before and since I was coronated their traditional ruler on December 2022.
“What the community has done will challenge and motivate me to do more for Edem-Ani community, since to whom much is given, much is expected,” he said.
Asadu in a lighter mood said that, this statue is the only property that will remain for me when I die.
“My cars, houses, and other property at home and abroad will be inherited by my wife and children but this statue will perpetually belong to me as nobody will inherit it.
“All members of my family are excited and grateful to Edem-Ani community for this special show of love, appreciation and recognition of my developmental strides in the community.
“My promise to Edem-Ani people is that the community will continue to be the home for next ‘Big Thing’ as I will continue to use the wealth God blessed me with, to develop the community as long as I live,”Igwe Asadu said.
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