By Polycarp Ifeanyi
As Anambra State prepares to conduct local government elections for the second time under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Mayor of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Hon. Sir Kenneth Akwuobi, has considered it timely to present his achievements after one year in office.
Sir Akwuobi, who began his leadership journey as Deputy Mayor of Ogbaru Local Government, was later elevated to Acting Mayor and subsequently confirmed as substantive Mayor exactly one year ago.
Since then, he has quietly but deliberately pursued a development-driven agenda, earning a reputation as a focused administrator whose emergence many describe as divinely orchestrated.
While conducting journalists on a tour of projects—both completed and ongoing—across the local government, Sir Akwuobi reflected on his motivation for governance.
He revealed that having visited the other twenty-one local government areas in Anambra State and witnessed significant progress, he became emotional whenever he returned to Ogbaru due to the level of neglect he met on ground.
“When I found myself as Mayor of Ogbaru Local Government, I swore to God who brought me to this position that I must change the narrative and mindset of our people about leadership, especially elected leaders. I also promised that I would reposition Ogbaru to reflect the standard obtainable in other local governments,” he said.
The Mayor disclosed that prior to his confirmation, Ogbaru Local Government had no permanent legislative building. According to him, his administration constructed and fully furnished a befitting legislative complex to strengthen democratic governance at the grassroots.
He further explained that most of the structures within the Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat, including the traditional rulers’ building, were destroyed by hoodlums during a period of unrest.
In response, his administration constructed a new, befitting traditional rulers’ complex, describing it as a symbolic recognition of the revered status of traditional institutions as custodians of culture and moral authority.
Sir Akwuobi also revealed that the local government previously lacked a functional administrative block, as the former structure had been burnt down. To address this, he initiated the construction of a new two-storey administrative building, deliberately designed to include modern conveniences and gender-sensitive facilities, particularly for female staff.
Additional interventions by his administration include the renovation of dilapidated offices and furniture within the secretariat—covering the Deputy Mayor’s office, Heads of Departments’ offices, and other workspaces—the construction of a modern local government signpost, and the provision of a solar-powered borehole to ensure sustainable water supply.
Beyond the secretariat, the Mayor emphasized that his administration deliberately extended development to communities across the sixteen wards of Ogbaru Local Government.
These projects include the rehabilitation of critical access roads such as the dilapidated entrance at Ogbaru Junction (popularly known as Uga Junction), the Coca-Cola Market service lane, Chisco Transport Park frontage, several strategic bypass roads, and the desilting of drainages along Obodoukwu Road and adjoining streets in Okpoko.
“We consciously decided to take the dividends of democracy to the grassroots. Ogbaru has sixteen wards, and we directed all councillors to identify priority needs in their wards. We are following the example of our Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who believes in directing resources to where they are needed most,” Sir Akwuobi stated.
He added that through consultations with ward councillors and community President-Generals, the local government implemented the ₦20 million Community Projects initiative across all sixteen wards, ensuring equitable distribution of development.
Popularly known as Okwuruoha, the Mayor explained that his drive for massive infrastructural renewal was inspired by the deplorable condition in which he met the local government.
“I met Ogbaru Local Government in a state of collapse, and I was determined to revive it. I want to change the mindset of our people about leadership and restore dignity to our local government. If your father was poor and you later grow up, you will do everything possible not to remain poor—that is exactly how I feel about Ogbaru,” he remarked.
Sir Akwuobi, who is widely described as one of the best-performing local government mayors in Anambra State, expressed deep appreciation to the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly and leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ogbaru, Rt. Hon. Somtoochukwu Udeze, as well as the member representing Ogbaru I Constituency, Hon. Noble Chukwunonso Igwe.
He acknowledged that their political and legislative support was instrumental to the successes recorded by his administration.
When asked about his intention to contest the forthcoming local government election, the Mayor stated that the future rests in God’s hands and the decision of the state leadership.
“Whatever God has decided will surely come to pass. If after the election I do not return, I am satisfied that I have made a positive impact. But if I return, I already have a clear template to consolidate on what we have achieved and do even more for Ogbaru,” he said.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and calling on Ndi-Ogbaru to unite in purpose and vision, stressing that collective effort is essential to building a greater Ogbaru for present and future generations.
