Representatives of Owerri Zone at NASS are bench warmers, says Betty, ex-Ondo First Lady,
Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the former First Lady of Ondo State, is a paragon of integrity and character that any community would be proud to claim as a daughter.
Her community has greatly benefited from her tireless efforts towards their welfare. The Emeabiam Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, her hometown, has experienced significant development under her patronage.
Despite being married outside her state and ethnic homeland, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the well-being of her people.
Notably, she successfully secured funding for the construction of the Ihiagwa- Eziobodo-Emeabiam Road and implemented various empowerment programmes for her people in Emeabiam and other parts of Imo East Zone.
In response to rising insecurity in Emeabiam Community, she empowered operatives of a Vigilance group in the area with motorcycles and monthly stipends.
Furthermore, she has attracted a police post to the community, which she is single-handedly developing.
During an interface with newsmen in Owerri on Thursday, October 9, 2025, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu expressed her dissatisfaction with the recent spate of insecurity and violence in the community, stating that it had reached a point where people were being brutally slaughtered with cutlasses, prompting her intervention.
“That I’m married outside my homeland doesn’t mean I should not contribute to the welfare of my people. I was enraged at the spate of insecurity in my community that I have to do something.
“I have got approval from Abuja for a police post to be provided in Emeabiam which I will provide”.
The widow of former Governor of Ondo State Aketi Oluwarotini Odunayo Akeredolu also spoke on her quest to re-contest the Senatorial seat of Imo East (Owerri Zone) District. But which political party will she be contesting under its banner?
Excerpts:
Hometown
You people know I like returning to Emeabiam, my hometown especially during Christmas festival but I could not do so because of the demise of my husband, Aketi Rotimi Akeredolu. It was not easy for me to return regularly as I used to. You know Igbamkpe (mourning period) for a widow is one year after which I have to remove my black cloth. I was also off the public space; off the social media. The bereavement is truly a telling experience.
But as a public figure, I can’t stop doing what I used to do and should do. My NGOs I didn’t allow them to suffer. For instance, BRECAN (Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria). I can’t stop creating awareness about breast cancer. I’m a 28-years-old survivor. Another is the Bemore Empowered Girls Foundation. I’m an unapologetic gender advocate. I believe women and girls are assets. They are no pushovers. Nwayi bu Ihe. I have an organic followership in Ondo State but when the government in the state started playing politics over girl-child advancement, I had to move Bemore to Oyo State which is also home to me. Seventeen girls from Imo State participated in the Bemore OYO 2025. I also write a lot these days. I’m also interested in events in Imo State.
Role of my parents
My parents made me. They gave me wings to fly. They sponsored my education to the university. I studied at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, at a time to study there was a huge achievement and honour. I gained admission in 1973 and graduated in 1977. Parents should train their girl children. Gone are the days when parents would say after training the girl-child what do they stand to gain. My parents B. N. Anyanwu and Nneoma Dora Anyanwu gave me the wings to fly; my husband only oiled it.
Insecurity in Emeabiam
I told you I like spending Christmas at my hometown but the insecurity at the community got so bad that I started thinking what to do to stamp it out. I had to provide motorcycles for the operatives of the vigilance group and allowances. If I couldn’t be a senator in 2023, it doesn’t mean I can’t contribute to the welfare of my people. There are things happening in Imo State you can’t try in the West especially in Ondo State. There is no health centre in a community and school buildings have fallen down and people just keep mute for fear of their lives. They are afraid that if they talk, they will be killed. Will they not die eventually?
Vandalization of Memorial Park, Owo
You must have heard of the vandalization of the memorial park erected by my husband in Owo after the mayhem at the Catholic Church in 2022. Hoodlums vandalized the place. I had to step in. I described the Oba as a baby Oba and I stand by it. They went to the market to make incantations against me with sticks. That was rubbish. I know how my husband contributed to the making of the Oba.
It was after the incident, after the dust settled that I decided to return to Emeabiam to see what other things I could do for my people.
I have got approval from Abuja to build a police station at Emeabiam. It may look small but this is capable of restoring sanity in the community.
Senate bid
What I was pursuing in 2023 and Hope Uzodimma locked it up, we will destroy the padlock this time. We will open it. I will contest for the Senatorial seat of Imo East(Owerri Zone) again. I’m at the consultation stage as to which political party to contest for the position.
Bench warmers at NASS
Owerri Zone has been unlucky with representation at the National Assembly. All those representing Owerri Zone at the National Assembly both at the Senate and House of Representatives are bench warmers. Enough of these wheelbarrow and sewing machines empowerment.
