Expose Crime Suspects in your Domains , Obiano tells Royal Fathers

Warns against conferment of titles on doubtful candidates

By James Eze

In what appears as a bold step to drive home the on-going crackdown on criminals to the grassroots level, the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano has said that the war against criminals would be extended to all the 177 communities of the state, enjoining royal fathers in the state to encourage their subjects to provide useful information to security agents on questionable characters in their domains.

Governor Obiano who made this known Wednesday, at the book launch and 73rd birthday of the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, further tasked the royal fathers to support efforts of his administration to rid the state of criminals and miscreants.

While commending Igwe Achebe for bringing honour and dignity to the state, governor Obiano pointed out the need to accord respect and honour to the royal institution in Igboland as the custodian of Igbo customs and traditions and to protect it from abuse.

The governor further urged the royal fathers to avoid acts capable of bringing their office to ridicule and smearing their image, warning against indiscriminate conferment of chieftaincy titles on dubious characters so as not to bring the entire system to disrepute.

Responding, Igwe Achebe commended the governor for the bold steps taken from the inception of his administration and urged the people to give him total support.

He noted that emerging traditional institutions in the state had remained committed to restoring the people's value system and explained that every community should take its destiny in its hands to address various challenges and compliments of governance.

The member representing Onitsha North 1 constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Onuigbo Enweuzor said Igwe Achebe had over the years justified the confidence reposed in him by the people and prayed God to continue to bestow him with wisdom.