Since his swearing-in on September 30, 2024, following his victory in the Local Government elections a week earlier, Aka Eze Aka has been courageously charting paths that many before him hesitated to tread. With a fierce commitment to bridging Udenu’s longstanding infrastructural deficits, he has embarked on projects that successive administrations either wished to handle or dreaded to confront.
One of his first major interventions was ordering the commencement of the Ukwu Akpu Obollo-Afor Link Road project — a critical artery that had defied resolution through numerous administrations, dating back to the military era. On Tuesday, October 29, 2024 (the day of the project’s flag-off), Aka led market leaders, stakeholders, and contractors on an inspection walk across the entire stretch of the road.
The Chairman, Aka Eze Aka with the Councilor representing Obollo Afor Ward, Dr. Nnamdi Odo during the flag-off of the Ukwu Akpu link road project
As the Chairman and his team pressed forward, I, walking discreetly behind them, took on another important duty as his Media Adviser: quietly gauging the public mood. In our line of work, communication is a two-way street — while we amplify the Chairman’s vision to the people, we must also relay the people’s sentiments back to him to ensure better policy delivery.
The whispers I heard that day were sobering. Some market women and artisans, in hushed tones, expressed doubt.
“This one just resumed,” one said. “He will soon abandon it like the others did.”
Another quipped in Pidgin, “Na today? Every new Chairman dey promise, na so e dey end.”
A trunk of the Ukwu Akpu link road at asphalting statge
Despite the skepticism, I was reassured by what I knew of Aka’s firm resolve: he was determined to leave Udenu better than he met it. There was no need to burden him with their doubts. I had been privileged to glimpse the depth of his plans. True to his commitment, just a few months later — despite unforeseen delays by the contractor — the Ukwu Akpu Obollo-Afor Road is now nearing completion and will soon be commissioned.
The office spaces at the administrative block of Udenu Secretariat being modified
Aka’s transformative spirit also extends to the Local Government Secretariat itself. Faced with acute shortages of office spaces, he initiated the conversion of the underused balcony area into two fully furnished offices, one of which is now designated as a visitors’ waiting room.
The ongoing reconstruction of the Udenu Secretariat entrance gates
In an even bolder move, he ordered the demolition and reconstruction of the Secretariat’s aging and disfigured entrance gates, which had stood largely untouched for over fifteen years — since the renovation done during the tenure of the late Hon. Dr. Prince I.O. Eze. The new gates are being rebuilt in line with modern architectural designs, with a three-month completion timeline.
His ambition for Udenu’s development does not end there. He is also overseeing the ongoing construction of the 19.8 km Obollo Eke–Ibenda–Obollo Etiti–Okpakerekere–Ogwu Obollo-Afor Road — a critical project executed in partnership with the Enugu State Government. Again, this is a road that many past administrations had eyed but lacked the nerve or resources to undertake fully.
Already, preparations are underway for the next phase: the reconstruction of the Nkwo Orba–Ejuona–Owerre Ezeoba Road, another vital corridor in the heart of Udenu.
In agriculture, Aka is aligning Udenu with Governor Peter Mbah’s broader agricultural transformation agenda. Various wards have already donated lands for the establishment of modern farm estates, promising to enhance food security, create jobs, and empower local farmers.
In his quest for an environmentally hygienic Udenu, he is constructing a modern public toilet with an accompanying borehole at Obollo Afor Motor Park. This aligns with the plan of His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s WASH program in Enugu State. Aka has scheduled October this year for an end to the unhealthy practice of open defecation in Udenu.
The ongoing construction of modern public toilet facilities at Obollo Afor motor park
What of human capital development? Aka has begun the revamping and rehabilitation of the moribund ICT hub at Obollo Afor. The project which is due for completion in two months time has the ability to produce over 150 youths with comprehensive skill acquisition on tech and ICT, annually.
ICT hub at Obollo Afor being revamped
Healthcare also has prominent space in his administration. He has equipped the Amutenyi Basic Health Centre with modern hospital facilities, while plans are underway to give the ALGON Health Centre, Nkwo Orba, in Orba Ward II, a befitting facelift.
Amutenyi Obollo Afor Basic health centre being given a facelift
Understanding that development cannot thrive without peace, Aka has also strengthened the security architecture of Udenu. He convenes regular security meetings with all agencies operating in the Local Government Area, ensuring robust coordination and proactive policing. From Amalla to Orba, he has made timely interventions in various community crises. Today, even amidst Nigeria’s widespread insecurity, Udenu remains an oasis of peace — an empirical souvenir of strategic leadership.
Perhaps most remarkable in Aka’s administration is his people-centered leadership style. He is punctual to office duty round-the-clock. And maintains an open-door policy, warmly welcoming all courtesy and advocacy visits, and personally engaging with visitors — a stark departure from the often aloof postures of public officeholders. Some have cautioned that such unfettered accessibility might “cheapen” the office. His response? Simple yet profound: “This office belongs to the people.”
Udenu Mayor with some of the visitors at his office
His philosophy mirrors that of Pope Saint John XXIII, who famously dismantled the rigid barriers around the Papacy to bring the Holy See closer to the people. Just like the great Pontiff, Aka has defied conventional advice to embrace a leadership style rooted in humility, service, and accessibility.
In every action, Aka Eze Aka exemplifies the spirit of the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah — a commitment to pragmatic, visionary leadership that puts people first. His tenure is not merely about maintaining the status quo; it is about revolutionizing grassroots governance in Udenu.
No wonder, many people, including opposition are collapsing their structures and joining PDP in droves in the Local Government Area. Good governance attracts the goodwill of the people.
The story of Udenu Local Government under his leadership validates what is possible when leadership is driven by courage and vision. The people of Udenu are not just witnessing change — they are living it.
✍️ Jude Eze.
