The Truth, Justice and Peace Commission (TJPC), set up by the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo in June 2022 to inquire into the violent agitations and restiveness in the state and the South East, has received commendations from Obumneme Akunyili for reinstalling hope and belief in the citizens.
A scion of the Late Dr. Chike Akunyili and late Professor Dora Akunyili, Nigeria’s ex-Minister of Minister of Information and Communications, one-time Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), Obumneme, made the commendation at the second public hearing of the commission in Awka, as a witness during the special session concerning his late father, Dr.Chike Akunyili who was murdered by unknown gunmen in the state.
Obumneme Akunyili told the commission that his late father had about 10percent chance of surviving the gunshot wound on his head, if there was timely medical intervention.
“People who would have helped my father, his driver and security man were busy making viral video of the scene, asking the driver who was calling out to them for help his name, until they gave up. Sending messages on a WhatsApp group is not justice and not investigation. Prosecution is done with facts and knowledge,” he said.
Akunyili urged Nigerians to always render assistance to dying citizens instead of making videos of them.
While appreciating the commission, he said, “the chairman and commissioners are excellent, hard-working people with high goals for the people dedicated to peace, reconciliation, a future for Anambra State.”
Responding, the Chairman of the commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, said, “As leaders, actors, institutions, we have a responsibility to foster hope. It is Truth, Justice and Peace Commission but above all, it is a hope Commission. It is hope in terms of being able to inspire communities that there is something different and that there are new possibilities. We have a responsibility to rebuild coexistence in our communities, one block, one step, one life at a time. Our objective is to build a prosperous and livable homeland.”
Earlier, witnesses from National Union of Road Transport Workers, Comrade Dominic Ezebuenyi (state chairman), Comrade Godson Udeozor (national chairman southeast) and other executives of the union urged the commission to help reinstate the union in the state
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