Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has officially restored the historic Abakaliki Street in Awka, reversing a 2018 renaming that had replaced the landmark with “Club Road” — a move widely seen as erasing a symbol of unity between the people of Ebonyi and Anambra States.
The move is not only being hailed as a bold act of historical justice but also as a tribute to an unsung hero — Pa. Peter Uzodimma, the man who cleared and graded Abakaliki Street in 1975.
Pa. Uzodimma, an Ebonyi native who migrated to Awka in 1974, took it upon himself to construct the street a year later and officially registered it with relevant authorities. For decades, the street stood as a reminder of inter-ethnic coexistence, entrepreneurship, and communal contribution — values embodied in Uzodimma’s legacy.
In 2018, however, the street was renamed Club Road, much to the dismay of its originator. For Pa. Uzodimma, it was not merely a name change, but a symbolic erasure of history — one that pained him deeply.
“Abakaliki Street was my offering to the city of Awka — a tribute to where I come from and a bridge to where I found a home,” Uzodimma had once said.
Governor Soludo’s decision to restore the original name is now being widely applauded across both Anambra and Ebonyi States. It sends a strong message about respecting the roots of community development and the importance of preserving historical identity.
“Some histories are not meant to be rewritten,” said a government official close to the development. “Governor Soludo has again demonstrated his understanding of legacy, unity, and justice.”
The development has also been praised by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who was reported to have weighed in behind the scenes, encouraging the resolution of the long-standing issue.
Community leaders, youth groups, and historians have described the restoration as symbolic, timely, and necessary in a political climate that often forgets the contributions of ordinary individuals to state-building.
“Restoring Abakaliki Street is not just a victory for one man, but for all those who believe in grassroots development and the power of remembrance,” said a civic leader in Awka.
As for Pa. Peter Uzodimma, now well into his twilight years, the gesture is deeply moving.
“I thank Governor Soludo for making this old man smile again. I feel seen. I feel remembered,” he said with teary eyes.
Indeed, Abakaliki Street has returned not just as a name, but as a restored monument of pride, patriotism, and people-led development.
