… As Stakeholders meet,deliberate on way forward,hails Gov. Uzodimma for development
… Chief Tony Chukwu receives award as IKORO OKIGWE Man of the Year
By Iheanyi Enwerem
Stakeholders from Okigwe zone have continued to preach unity, peace in the area among illustrious sons and daughters, affirming it as the only way to clinch political power in Imo State,after the tenure of the Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma.
In a well attended stakeholders meeting held at the country home of High Chief Tony Chukwu,at Umueze 1, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, and presided by Chief Cosmos Iwu, Secretary to the Government of Imo, had in attendence political leaders,business men and women, religious leaders, the academia,women and youths cut across the 6 local Govt areas of Okigwe,Onuimo,Isiala Mbano,Ehime Mbano,Ihitte Uboma and Obowo.
In attendance to the invitational stakeholders meeting were legislators as led by Senator Patrick Ndubueze, Princess Miriam Onuoha, Hon. Chike Okafor, Rt Hon. Chike Olemgbe, the Speaker Imo House of Assembly, Rt Hon Acho Ihim among others while the astute political class was led by Chief Maxwell Duru, Barr. Chris Okewulonu, Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri, Hon. Longers Anyanwu (Ebube Dike, Obowo), Hon. Ifeanyi Agwu, PhD, Dr. Mrs Angela Uwakwem, Ozo Barr. Charles Ezekwem (Ike Mba), Hon Greg Owuamanam, Chief Alex Mbakwe and Hon Uchechukwu Echereodo among many other astute politicians and political leaders.
The traditional institution were numerical in attendance as represented by HRH Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanweh ( Obi Gburu Gburu and Chairman, Okigwe Elders Global Forum), HRH Eze Pharm. Emeka Ogbonna ( Eze Oha Zuru Mee), HRH Eze Jude Uwalaka,HRH Eze Engr. Chris Agbugba,HRH Eze Dr. Okechukwu Izim, HRH Eze Emma Ibechem (Akagu 1 of Akagu), just as the religious group were well represented as led by Methodist church Prelate Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche (Rtd), Rev. Dr. Eches Divine Eche, Imo State CAN Chairman, Rev. Godson Udechukwu Ukanwa, the Anglican Bishop of Isi Mbano, Bishop Athan Azubuike and many others.
The academia were adequately represented as justified by Prof. C.C Eze, the Vice Chancellor Imo State University of Environmental Sciences and Agriculture, Prof. Osy Nwebo, Dr. Obinna Ezechi etc.
The political appointees including Chief Mrs. Rubby Emele, Hon. Chuck Chukwuemeka, Hon. Frank Ijezie, Hon. Frank Onwumere, women and youth groups as well as captains of industries, business class, entrepreneurs, artisans, physically challenged persons, civil and public servants, artisans, journalists, lawyers, medical practitioners among others were equally well represented with lavish entertainment.
It was truly a meeting of who’s who in Imo North Senatorial zone popularly known as Okigwe senatorial zone as each of the critical sectors brought out a spokesperson and like in unism, they all applauded the Shared Prosperity and 3R administrative mantra of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
They lauded Governor Uzodimma’s administration for being visionary, purposeful, inclusiveness, result oriented and humane even as they decried the issue of insecurities ravaging the area.
They equally reeled out what they described as ” impactful infrastructural developments of the zone” in which they anchored on solid federal and internal roads revolutionary network, capacity building and human empowerment, educational and health upliftment, transparency in governance as well as welfare oriented.
They also described Uzodimma as an adopted son and good friend of the senatorial zone, while demanding the Governor to support their strong ambition of having an Okigwe son or daughter of integrity and pedigree to succeed him in 2027 gubernatorial election, so as to consolidate on his achievements.
They hinged there demand on the unprecedented volume of votes, the senatorial zone gave him during the last governorship election which they said, the Governor during his second tenure campaign assured to use as litmus test to justify which of the 3 senatorial zones in the State will succeed him inspite of Imo Charter of Equity stand.
Highlight of the meeting was when, Hon. Mike Uchendu, former Secretary to Imo State Government passionately articulated legacy projects and programmes of Governor Hope Uzodimma as it affected the zone and the over capacity filled auditorium was excited, cheering and echoing with thunderous applauses as he moved a motion of an implicit vote of confidence on the Governor, his Shared Prosperity and 3R administrative mantra,while His Excellency Ambassador Eddy Onuoha, one time Nigeria Ambassador to Hungary happily supported the motion and was seconded by Ozo Barr. Charles Ezekwem (Ike Mba), former State Chairman People’s Democrat Party, he however canvassed on the need for strategic planning on wrestling power, unity of purpose and mobilization to see the Governor and solicit his support.
High Chief Tony Chukwu, was later presented with his award as IKORO OKIGWE Man of the year, by the Managing Editor of IKORO OKIGWE newspaper Iheanyi Enwerem,which he bagged during the anniversary of the media house held last year 2024.