The Traditional Ruler of Akwakuma Uratta Community in the Owerri North Council Area of Imo State, HRM Eze David Onuegwunwoke, has strongly condemned the rampant vandalism of government installations, such as transformers, by hoodlums and individuals who claim to be vigilante groups in the community.
He also called for an end to various unwholesome practices, including indiscriminate sand excavation on the roads, the construction of shanties along waterways, and the erection of kiosks on culverts and gutters in the community.
Speaking at the 2025 edition of the annual Emume Akwakuma Cultural Festival held at Akwakuma Market Square on Thursday, the King stated that these actions have the potential to tarnish the community’s reputation and credibility.
Eze Onuegwunwoke described the reckless behavior of some individuals as a serious issue for the community, pledging not to tolerate it.
He urged those involved in such deplorable practices to cease immediately or face the consequences.
He said: “Am not out to regiment anybody but the right thing must be done at the right time and in the right intention.
While describing juvenile delinquency such as cultism, kidnaping, alcoholism, rape, ritual killing and hooliganism as anthithetical for a healthy decent and meaningful living, the monarch advised mothers, various neighbourhood associations, women leaders and village heads to maintain eagle eyes on the activities of their children.
He also advised them to monitor the company their children keep in order to compliment and smoothen the operations of the local vigilance group already put in place to protect lives and properties.
In the annual Emume Akwakuma cultural festival,the King reminded the people of the community that there purpose of gathering is to consolidate and strengthen their cultural heritage which has continued to add steam to the community both in growth and in development
He said: “this is a festival that has become a veritable mechanism for sustainable peace, unity, harmony and cohesion among us”.
The monarch said that the gathering will will afford them the opportunity to embark on sober reflection , look inwards, appraise their journey so far in a collective efforts to move forward as people
According to him it will be an opportunity to make an amends where necessary and also fashion out fresh strategies to build a community of their dream
Eze Onuegwunwoke appealed to those nursing pockets of grievances over one issue or another bordering on the community matters that has being settled to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign
He said: “we cannot afford to be keepers of the past through unnecessary altercation, display of primordial, sentiments and family cleavages, we must continue to move forward for betterment of the people”.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then