A CALL TO REMODEL NWAFOR ORIZU ROUNDABOUT IN NNEWI

A CALL TO REMODEL NWAFOR ORIZU ROUNDABOUT IN NNEWI

By Ebubechukwuzuloke Brown

Built 21 years ago by Prof. Onuchukwu of the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria, in partnership with the popular Alex Ekwueme Architectural Firm, with the facilitation of Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju’s government, (1999-2003), the statue of the former President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu, with a Roundabout, is what welcomes every visitor to Nnewi, the industrial hub of Anambra State.

The Roundabout, positioned in the center of Nnewi, has four major roads which connects to the four quarters of Nnewi, viz: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewichi.
These four major roads remain the busiest in the town.

The Roundabout has a sculptured image of the former President of the Senate, His Excellency, Dr. Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu. When the statue was built, it was not only a beauty to behold, it also brought memories of the exploits of Akweke Nwafor Orizu, who was a dogged believer in the greatness of Nigeria; a constant and an unrelenting star in the possibility and the potential of a progressive and united Nigeria and Africa.

The statue of Nwafor Orizu was made to celebrate a man, who voluntarily turned his back on a life of comfort and privilege, in order to fight for the liberation of Nigeria.

Presently, the proliferation of shopping centres and roadside trading cause massive traffic mayhem. Traffic rules are violated with impunity, and those passing through the area suffer untold hardship.

Accidents have occurred at the point severally in the past due to abuse of road signs; and no sincere effort was made by relevant authorities to check the menace.

The beauty of the roundabout have been lost. There is, therefore, the need to remodel, restructure and renovate the roundabout, in order to create more space for vehicular movement, reduce traffic gridlock and rate of accidents.

A good architectural firm should be contracted to redesign and improve the artwork of the statue of the late elder statesman. The statue should not only be an image of Nwafor Orizu but should also symbolize his philosophies.

The artwork should be created as a form of respect and remembrance for the legend; how he stood for horizontal education and Africa irredentism, his mythology, struggle for freedom, fight for human dignity, social consciousness and courage.

The Roundabout should be remodelled into a world class piece of architecture, with beautifications and lights to improve its beauty.

Late last year, His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano remodelled the DMGS Roundabout in Onitsha. The remodelling improved the aesthetics and smooth flow of traffics within the area.

It is also necessary that the governor should replicate such gesture in Nnewi with the Nwafor Orizu Roundabout; because, a town that generates billions of Naira for the state government deserves attention.