By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has cemented his reputation as a listening leader by restoring the historic Abakaliki Street in Awka, the capital city of the state to its original name, undoing a decision taken in 2018 under former Governor Willie Obiano who renamed it Club Road.
The restoration, which happened on Tuesday, not only marked a historic moment, but also aligns with the governor’s dedication to preserving history and honouring cultural ties.
Speaking at the event, which attracted large crowd of Ebonyi indigenes, Pa Peter Uzodimma, the oldest Ebonyi native in the state and first individual who registered the name Abakaliki Street in 1974 and sponsored its initial grading in 1975, recounted how Obiano’s renaming decision went against their appeals. He expressed deep gratitude that Soludo reversed the change, declaring that the street’s original name holds important historical significance and invoking solidarity among the large Ebonyi community in Anambra.
He further reassured Governor Soludo that Ebonyi indigenes across the state will mobilize massive support for his re-election and eventual movement to a higher national assignment after his tenure.
In their separate remarks, the President-General of Ebonyi Indigenes in Anambra State, Chief Moses Chukwuma, and the Patron of Ebonyi Indigenes in Anambra, Chief Monday Nwokoye, expressed deep gratitude to the Governor for listening to their age-long cry and correcting what they described as unjust alteration of their identity.
While describing Governor Soludo as a listening leader and a bridge-builder, the duo acknowledged his massive infrastructural projects in Okpoko and other areas where Ebonyi people reside, as well as his appointments of Ebonyi indigenes into key government positions in his government.
They pledged that their gratitude would reflect in their votes and continued support for his administration, while also reassuring him that Ebonyi people in Anambra will stand solidly behind him during the forthcoming election and beyond.
Performing the official unveiling of the restored street name at the site, Governor Soludo described the move as not only a personal and emotional moment for him, but also as a correction of a glaring mistake by the previous administration, which, according to him, chose to revise a long-standing historical identity of the area without any genuine or compelling justification.
He emphasized that the Abakaliki Street, which has been in existence and so named since 1974, is an integral part of Awka’s history and identity. He said such names should never be changed for frivolous reasons, pointing out that landmarks like streets and roads are mostly named to immortalize historical figures, locations, or significant events — and not necessarily to reflect the nature of activities that take place there.
Governor Soludo revealed that he had made inquiries to understand the reason behind the name change, only to be told that it was because of the existence of some clubs in the area — a justification he described as “not good or convincing enough”, likening it to renaming Wall Street as Money Road simply because there are banks operating there. He insisted that history must be preserved.
Going down memory lane, Soludo recounted how he himself grew up and attended school in Ebonyi State in those days, and how the Abakaliki Street had long stood as a symbol of shared history and unity between Ebonyi and Anambra people. He reminded the audience that even during the time Abakaliki Street was named, the present-day states of Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, and Abia were all part of one entity—East Central State.
The Governor added that the restoration of the street name is a reflection of the strong brotherhood that exists among the Igbos and a further reinforcement of the oneness of the Nigerian people. He stressed that unity should be celebrated and not distorted through unnecessary changes that erase collective history.
Soludo said Abakaliki Street holds significant popularity in Awka as one of the city’s most visited and lively locations. According to him, anyone who spends more than a day in Awka must, in one way or another, pass through Abakaliki Street, hence the need to give the street its due recognition and facelift. He also announced that Abakaliki Street was among the very first roads he completely rebuilt and asphalted on assumption of office, adding that the road now wears a befitting look that matches its name and importance.
In an interview with newsmen shortly after the unveiling, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Hon. Ossy Onuko, described the event as a moment of rewriting history positively. He emphasized that the governor didn’t only restore the street’s name but also transformed it with high-quality infrastructure, making it more befitting now that it previously was.
According to him, “Governor Soludo not only reinstated the street’s original name, but rebuilt and asphalted it, connecting it properly from here to Ngozika Estate, to UNIZIK Temp. Site, to Okpuno and other adjoining areas in the state.”
While emphasizing that the administration of Soludo has demonstrated commitment to unity and history by such moves, Hon. Onuko further revealed that Ebonyi State also has prominent facilities named after Anambra indigenes — including an airport named after Chuba Okadigbo, a university named after Alex Ekwueme, among others — which he described as a sign that unity, brotherhood, and mutual respect must be upheld among the people.
“No reason ever justified changing Abakaliki Street to any other name,” Onuko asserted, adding that “Today’s action restores both name and value.”
Given the significance of the restoration and the crowd of Ebonyi indigenes who trooped out en masse to cheer up the Governor and celebrate the restored street, it became clear that the restoration of Abakaliki Street was not just about the name, but more about preserving a legacy, strengthening ties, and correcting a historical misstep.
For many, however, it was also a reaffirmation of people’s love and support for Governor Soludo, who has continued to earn massive support and endorsements across the states for his second term re-election and even beyond.
The well-attended event also attracted top government functionaries and some members of the Anambra State Executive Council, among others.
More photos from the event:
