Internal Squabbles Should Not Be Allowed To Threaten Potential Economic Development In Ukwa.
By Sir Don Ubani; KSC, JP
Tuesday (Eke) 20-01-2026.
In whatever circumstance man finds himself, what needs matter most should be the economic welfare of his contemporary society, as it also helps in guaranteeing human security.
Civilized and well informed people do not allow trivial matters to deprive them of projects that have the potential to turn around their fortunes, especially those that could serve as spring boards to provide constructive economic development and reliability.
The Hon Member representing Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives, Chief Chris Nkwonta, a first-timer, is determined to impact positively on his constituents. He knows that apart from education, skill acquisition is one human investment that can guarantee the fastest form of social mobility and economic sustainability.
To this effect, he had invited both Traditional Rulers and Critical Stakeholders from the two Local Government Areas of Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West, which he represents, some time in early 2025 and had properly informed them of his plan to establish what he would like to be known as Ukwa Peoples’ Skill Acquisition And Recreational Centre. He did inform the Traditional Rulers and Stakeholders that the Center would be comprehensive by design, as to accommodate expected diversity of interest by applicants.
He explained to his revered invitees that the Federal Government expectedly would provide Constituency Funds and he hoped to invest his own on the proposed Ukwa Peoples’ Skill Acquisition And Recreational Center. He was very optimistic that such a project, if accomplished, would be of immense advantage in the pursuit of economic growth and stability for Ukwa Youths.
In order to give a legal identity to Ukwa Peoples’ Skill Acquisition And Recreational Center, even as a layman should know, the Centre had to be incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, with Trustees.
Without any hesitation, Ukwa Peoples’ Skill Acquisition And Recreational Center has been incorporated, having a 7-Man Incorporated Trustees, all of them being indigenes of Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Federal Constituency, and made up thus;
(1) Sir Don Ubani, (Ukwa-West)
Chairman
(2) Rt Hon Emeka Stanley, (Ukwa-East)
Member
(3) Dr Chibuike Kanu, (Ukwa-West)
Member
(4) HRH Eze Ikeagwuchi Ekeke, (Ukwa-East)
Member
(5) Hon Chris Nkwonta, Initiator (Member)
(6 & 7) Two of Hon Chris Nkwonta’s Sons, Members.
In the said meeting Hon Nkwonta had with the Traditional Rulers and Stakeholders in early 2025, he specifically requested for 50 plots of land from the People of Ukwa-West, most appropriately around former Ukwa Stadium at Okeikpe. It is evident that
not much came out of that request. He, therefore, approached Akwete Council of Chiefs who were patriotic enough to avail him of 50 plots of land.
Hon Chris Nkwonta is human and does not make any claims to perfection. He, probably, had erred by not including any other indigene of Akwete as a Member of Board of Trustees of Ukwa Peoples’ Skill Acquisition And Recreational Center. That is an ommission that could be addressed without much ado. Such an oversight should not constitute an unmitigated hindrance to what Ukwa Peoples’ Skill Acquisition And Recreational Centre could enhance in the economic wellbeing of the People of Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Federal Constituency.
Equally importantly, the composition of the 7-Man Board of Trustes does not accord any special advantage to Hon Nkwonta and the two of his sons, as they are only three out of seven.
To put it on a straight record, Hon Chris Nkwonta is not a ‘Land Grabber’ as being accused by some persons with ulterior motives. His interest in Ukwa Peoples’ Skill Acquisition And Recreational Center is just to make a substantial difference in representative leadership. If Hon Nkwonta was interested in ‘grabbing’ the said 50 plots of land at Akwete, he would have surveyed it in his name or in the name of his children. Ostensibly to the contrary, the Survey Plan is conspicuously in the name of Ukwa Peoples’ Skill Acquisition And Recreational Center. Such rare display of altruism in our clime, as manifested by Hon Chris Nkwonta, should be commended, instead of earning him mudslinging and villification.
Every civilized human community is known and respected for its ability to wield enormous conflict resolution mechanism. If there is any community that might be deficient in conflict resolution mechanism, Akwete, by every calculation and expectation, should not be found in that list.
For the sake of posterity and what history can capture, let Ukwa Peoples’ Skill Acquisition And Recreational Center be. Let it not be truncated, for whatever reason, by internal political squabbles in Akwete.
If Akwete People, a highly civilized and respected People, have any grouse against the composition of the Board of Trustees, they are quite at liberty to make their suggestions. Hon Chris Nkwonta is not, at all, averse to meaningful suggestions.
May civility and good reasoning continue to be the bedrock upon which the history, fame and respect of Akwete thrive.
Don Ubani is a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State, and Publisher of Equity Global Reporters Ltd.
