Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has elevated Dr. Nwabufo Nwankwo, a prominent youth activist, to the esteemed position of permanent secretary within the state civil service. The announcement came during an urgent meeting of the State Executive Council, where Governor Soludo received the final report of the Anambra Truth, Peace, and Justice Commission.
Dr. Nwankwo, a former Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Anambra Chapter, was previously serving as a Director in the office of the Secretary General of the State Government before his promotion.
The commission, established to investigate the root causes of insecurity in the state and the wider Southeast region, conducted its activities at the Government House in Awka, with Dr. Nwabufo serving as a member.
Professor Chidi Odinkalu, the commission’s chairman, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the trust placed in them to carry out the vital task. He emphasized that the primary structural factor contributing to violence is the political economy of land, pointing out the erosion and impunity issues faced by Anambra, the second least land-endowed state.
During their survey of 66 communities, the commission documented cases of missing traditional rulers, security agents, presidents-general, and community members, highlighting the urgency to address these issues.
Governor Soludo commended Professor Odinkalu and other commission members for their dedication over the 20-month period, describing their report as historic. He pledged to swiftly act on the commission’s recommendations and announced plans to establish sub-committees within his cabinet to analyze and implement the findings.
Recognizing the need for collaboration between federal agencies, regional governments, security services, and local communities, Governor Soludo emphasized his intention to share the report with national security agencies and collaborate with neighboring states to combat cross-border criminal activities.
The governor also expressed concerns about the impact of crime and violence on young people and reiterated his commitment to addressing these challenges effectively.