Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has nominated Mrs Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, the mother of the late businessman Martin Onyekesi, popularly known as 'Fish Magnet,' as Commissioner for Women Affairs. The nomination places her at the forefront of policies affecting women and families across the state.
Background of the Appointment
The appointment comes months after the tragic kidnapping and murder of her son, which sparked widespread public outcry and protests across Nigeria. Martin Onyekesi was abducted from his residence in Awka and later found dead in another part of the city, despite efforts to secure his release. The incident highlighted growing insecurity in Anambra State and led to demonstrations, including one led by social media activist VeryDarkMan, demanding justice.
New Cabinet List
Mrs Onyekesi's name is part of a broader list of 18 commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Soludo to the Anambra State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation. According to a statement from the office of the Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze formally received the list during plenary. Interestingly, only four of the nominees are returning commissioners, while the remaining 14 are new faces, signaling a significant reshuffle in the administration.
Reactions to Fish Magnet's Death
An old video of the late Fish Magnet has resurfaced, drawing mixed reactions. In the clip, he explained that fish sellers were angry with him because he reduced the price of fish for everyone. He stated, 'Fish sellers are angry with me because I came into the industry and I am crashing the price for everybody. I'm reducing the price.'
In another development, a Nigerian man identified as @AyamTjay on X (formerly Twitter) shared his last chat with Fish Magnet, expressing grief over his death. He revealed that Fish Magnet had advised him on how to start a backyard fish farm. The post read: 'Just heard that Fish Magnet was kidnapped and killed by the kidnappers in Anambra. This is sad to hear. Why are you people like this? This was my last conversation with him when he was telling me how to start a backyard fish farming. May his soul RIP.'
Businesswoman Mourns Fish Magnet
Previously, a businesswoman mourned the tragic demise of Fish Magnet on Facebook. She disclosed that she wanted to buy fish worth N98,000 from him before his untimely death. She shared their last WhatsApp conversation and described him as an honest and hardworking Igbo youth, expressing pain over his loss.
