The recently concluded town hall meeting with the incoming Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji and Enugu State business owners based in Lagos took place at a time when troubling accounts are prompting serious reflection about the state’s direction.

When Chief Nwakaibie visited Enugu on January 29, 2026, to arrange for the burial of his mother, he reportedly encountered more than ten families who had come to collect the remains of their loved ones but were unable to proceed because they could not afford the fees required for the release of the bodies.

Moved by their situation, he reportedly paid the required amounts on their behalf, enabling the families to take their loved ones home for burial.

The situation raises a difficult question: How did Enugu arrive at a point where families in mourning face financial obstacles before they can retrieve the bodies of their relatives?

Burial is not a privilege. It is a long-standing cultural and moral responsibility. When grieving families are confronted with charges they cannot afford simply to claim the remains of their loved ones, it suggests a serious concern in both governance and compassion.

Public policies may aim to generate revenue, but this should not come at the cost of human dignity or empathy. Enugu requires leadership that combines effective administration with compassion.