Category: Lifestyle

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has extolled the sacrifices of Nigeria’s ex-servicemen and fallen heroes for the safety of citizens and the nation’s territorial integrity.

Mbah gave the commendation during the official unveiling and launch of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, on Tuesday.

But beyond the yearly emblem launch, the governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, advocated a better structured and more sustainable means of ensuring a better welfare for the Nigerian Legion.

“It is important that we express to you how we feel about your selfless sacrifices, secure our democracy, strengthen our ability and above all protect our integrity – ensuring that each and everyone of us is able to explore and exploit our God given talents. So, on behalf of the people of Enugu State, I must say that we are very grateful to you.

“While veterans’ day, as this when we commemorate the service and make contributions to support you, I think a sustainable relationship through a structure that is organised will make more meaning. So, struggle to put together a programme, engage our office, the government, develop a protocol of engagement on how we can work with you to make things right, meaningfully and sustainably, for those that served.

“Again, we are a government that has embarked on aggressive efforts to rebuild Enugu State and expand opportunities for those who live here. In a state where we assemble 800 tractors for agriculture, where we are building farm estate in every political ward, where we are expanding our road infrastructure, constructing 260 Smart Schools, 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, I am sure, if you look inward and develop an engagement protocol, we will be able to develop a partnership that will be sustainable and beneficial to you and to us as a people.

“So, today is not much about the donations only, but it is about the acknowledgement of the sacrifices that the veterans made – sacrifices rooted in the personal willingness to lay their lives for the rest of us,” he stated.

Speaking earlier, the Deputy Commandant General and Enugu State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Dr Emeka Norman Igwesi, thanked the governor for the support given to the living and fallen heroes both for their welfare and programmes.

“Your government has been giving us support and we are actually asking them to do more to support the fallen heroes’ project the more they can and also support the project of the living heroes, not necessarily by way of cash, but by introducing programmes and policies that will help the welfare of the military retirees and fallen heroes’ dependants and widows.

Dr. Emeka Igwesi, who is also the National Coordinating Commandant, Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires, regretted that many of promises made to the veterans by individuals and corporate organisations during emblem launch and Armed Forces Remembrance Day were usually not fulfilled.

“Yearly, we gather here to be part of this emblem launch. Some climb this hallowed podium, addressing Nigerians, make pledges and promises, and end up not redeeming them. It is very unfortunate,” he said.

He, however, commended Mbah for always living up to his words and for the good governance of Enugu State, which also benefits the ex-servicemen and their families.

He also pushed for a better utilisation of the skills and experience of the ex-servicemen by government, stating that while they were retired, many of them were not tired yet.

“But we express our profound felicitation and strong support for the governor, for the good works he is doing in the state. You will agree with the military ex-servicemen that Enugu state is fast becoming a modern state.

“Again, military veterans are highly disciplined and experienced persons. Many are still strong to contribute to the development of the state. The body also has its sub-body called Corps of Commissionaires, who are well trained and young and ready to serve, so we call on the state government to make effective use of the retired military men and our members of the Corps of Commissionaires,” he said.

He also highlighted other needs such as security vehicles, monthly subvention, offering scholarships to indigent children and orphans of both fallen and living heroes, and empowering widows of servicemen, which he appealed to the governor to look into.

In his eventful existence, Chief Nwaigwe Onyeanị embodied the essence of colonial and postcolonial professionalism of Nkanụ folks, the avid adventurism of Igbo people, and the nurtured nationalism of Nigerians. A tenacious traditionalist, he was a quintessential man of culture, a great man who believed in the wealth-domiciliation principle of “akụ ruo ụnọ,” and a successful businessman in estate and meat management.

The Onyeanị clan is rooted in now Nkanụ West LGA. Long before two major macadamized roads traversed the town from Udi to Agbanị and from Enugu to Port Harcourt, creating the now famous Four-Corner Junction, there was the Umungwu kindred in Ọzara. In this bucolic community lived the progenitor Ene Anịagụ, who descended from the earliest Ọkpatụ hunter-settlers.

Onyeanị Nwaene Anịagụ, son of Nnamanị Nwaene Anịagụ, and grandson of Ene Anịagụ, was born on the festival day of ‘Nri Anị Ọzara’; hence the name “Onyeanị,” a son of festivity, “a person (onye) of the Earth (Anị)” or, in a more modern parlance, “son of the soil”! As the lastborn of his parents and only son, he grew up privileged.

Chief Nwaigwe Onyeanị (Akamonyeeze III), the second of eight children born to Onyeanị Nwaene Anịagụ (Akamonyeeze I), started life in Ọzara. In 1950, he left the comfort of homeland and travelled across the River Niger to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in search of greater economic opportunities. He settled in Warri, which had fellow Nkanu entrepreneurs in the booming meat-marketing business. He learned the trade through the now famous Igbo business incubation: Ịgbaodibo.

He started small and expanded his business to Sapele and Benin City. He also operated a thriving provision store in Warri, with his wife Mrs. Regina Ujoegwu Onyeanị as the manageress.

During the Nigeria-Biafra War, Chief Onyeanị brought back his young family to Ọzara, the land of his ancestors. He refused to venture far from Ọzara. He was the first man to settle in Agụ Obodo. He braved the dangers of a vast forest over uncertainty in distant lands. Many locals ended up taking shelter in Agụ Obodo until 1970.

The vicious war ended, but rebuilding was not easy. He got contract roadworks in Obolo Afor and Nkanụ Agụ. He then went back to Warri and started from scratch. He rebuilt and took on real estate development in Enugu. The lessons of the war were not lost on him. He did not wish to carry all eggs in one basket.

After retiring from Warri and Sapele in then Bendel (now Delta) State, he returned to Ọzara and prospected for lands and build houses in and around Enugu.

Chief Onyeani was the first President of Ndidi Amaka Social Club of Warri. His probity with public funds earned him the position of treasurer of Okoroụba Progressive Union (OPU), Ọzara. He supported community development efforts, including the completion of Okoroụba Hall and the initiation of another in Umungwu quarters. He made supportive appearances at project-unveiling events by Ọzara Union USA (OUUSA), the association of Ọzara people in the USA.

He left footprints as a disciplined man with a high sense of self. He was consistent in his beliefs and never wavered in his convictions. He passed away doing what he loved. He lived and abided by the philosophy of his forefathers, and he passed it on to his own children.

Chief Nwaigwe Onyeanị (Akamonyeeze III), brother of Okeafọ Onyeanị (Akamonyeeze II) and Chibuike Onyeanị (Akamonyeeze IV), son of Onyeanị Nwaene Anịagụ (Akamonyeeze I), grandson of Nnamanị Nwaene Aniagụ, and great grandson of Ichie Ene Anịagụ was a great man of integrity. He lives!

Chief Izu Onyeanị (son)
Akamonyeeze VII

A celebration of the life of High Chief Nwaigwe Onyeanị will take place today January 3, 2026 at his country home.

Doris Ewoh and Chinelo Anekwe, Enugu

Lady Veronica Uzoamaka Igwe has been laid to rest at her country home in Enugu State amid emotional tributes from family members, friends, and loved ones who gathered to celebrate her life and legacy.

The burial ceremony took place on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Her remains were conveyed from the Eastern Nigeria Medical Centre to her husband’s country home, the Sir Emma Igwe Residence, located at Ishide Ugwu Umuigwe Village, Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu State, where funeral rites and interment were held.

The late Lady Veronica Igwe, mother of Ikenna Igwe, a member of the Board of Editors of Pacesetter Frontier Magazine, was remembered as a devout Christian and a woman dedicated to service, family, and faith. Speakers at the ceremony described her as a woman who was deeply committed to instilling the fear of God and moral values in her children.

Tributes also highlighted her generosity and compassion, virtues closely associated with her maiden name, “Nnediogo,” which many noted was not just a title but a reflection of her character.

Her last son, Ikenna Promise Igwe, described her as a woman who shaped his life with lessons of purpose, commitment, and faith.

“Her legacy lives on in her children and her offspring, grandchildren. She’s going to be remembered for a lot of things, for being a woman of faith till the end. A woman that understood purpose and a woman that raised her children in the right way.”

Her younger sister, Doris Ebere Ngene, described the deceased as a peace-loving woman who avoided conflict and was known for her wise counsel.

Her third son, Chinedu Igwe, also paid tribute, describing his mother as hardworking, humble, and deeply spiritual. He recalled that she consistently sought divine guidance before making decisions and was always present during key moments in his family life, including the births of his children.

Her husband’s nephew, Ben Nnaemeka Igwe, attributed his upbringing and strong work ethic to her influence.

“All I am today, she’s the one that taught me. I started staying with her when I was five, she’s like a mother to me. Mama is a great woman, a workaholic. When you go through her , there’s no work you will see that you will run away. She’s a nice woman.”

Her granddaughter, Raphael Chidinma , described her as loving, caring, prayerful, and the nicest person she had ever known.

Her daughter-in-law, Dr. Jessica Igwe, said that although she knew her for a short time, the late matriarch left a lasting impression on her life.

“She was a very friendly person, a prayerful person most importantly she loved me and I loved her too. One thing I wished to experience with her was for her to come for Omugo, but unfortunately God knows best.

Lady Veronica Uzoamaka Igwe was remembered as a woman whose life of faith, humility, and service left a lasting impact on her family and the wider community.

Scrolling through Pinterest one day, I saw a video of someone making potato balls. A thought crossed my mind immediately and it was a thought to make plantain balls instead. This means that I would use the same recipe as the potato balls, but I will have to substitute the potatoes for plantains. I would also have to tweak it to have a stable recipe. The reason for this is because the texture of potatoes and plantains are not the same. While both contain starch, the starch content in plantain is only higher when unripe but not in comparison to potatoes. Also as plantains ripen, the starch content decreases, and it becomes sweeter as the starch converts to sugars. People use the ripe/overripe plantains to cook beans, yam porridge etc. and the taste is spot on because the ripe/overripe plantains automatically sweetens the whole dish.

I love plantains, but when it becomes soft, I do not enjoy it anymore. So the best option would be to use the plantains for something else than to throw it away. If you happen to have plantains that have stayed a while and have turned black, do not throw it away please. Use it to make these plantain balls that we will be talking about shortly.

The first time I made plantain balls, I did not know what to expect. I have never had it before neither have I made it before. I already concluded that if it was good, it will be a constant snack for me. While if it was bad, I will console myself that the plantain was spoilt already (Lol). When I tried it, I was blown by the taste. It was too good. The plantain blended perfectly with every ingredient used and it pleased my taste buds. Guess what? Presently, I intentionally leave my plantains to become overripe so I can use them to make this snack.

In my search relating to plantain balls on the internet, I found out that there is a snack called ‘mosa’ that is added to small chops platters and it is made from plantain. However, this plantain balls is similar to the mosa, but the ingredients differ a bit. What is fascinating about this is that after I made it, I browsed about it and saw that it is a thing. People make plantain balls. They also tweak theirs to be unique to them. Some add fish to it, some add meat as well.

If you love plantains, you are going to love making and eating these plantain balls. It is easy to make, nothing is stressful about it and you will have yourself a delicious snack. Let us get into it.

To make this we will need;

2 overripe plantains, small onion, 3 pieces of habanero, 1 small green bell pepper, a piece of garlic, 1 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1 cube of Knorr (for taste).

Directions:

1) Cut onions, fresh pepper, green bell pepper and garlic in small bits.

2) Mash the plantains using a fork.

3) Add the cut ingredients into the mashed plantains and mix.

4) Add flour and baking powder and mix.

5) Heat up oil in a pan.

6) Scoop the batter into the oil and deep fry like you would puff puff.

7) While scooping, don’t forget to shape them like balls so you will have the round shape.

8) Remove from oil once it’s golden brown and put in a sieve to drain oil and it is ready to be consumed.

NB – the oil should not be too hot if not the plantain balls will fry on the outside but the inside will not be done.

This is best paired with pepper sauce, the combination hits so hard. If you would love to watch how I made mine, you can check it out on our Instagram page @thecravefactory.ng