Imo Union Celebrates End of Year Get-together with Pomp in Aba

 

Imo Union Celebrates End of Year Get-together with Pomp in Aba

*Launches Maiden Almanac  *Unveils Imo Football League in Abia State

It was jubilation galore as Imo Union – an Association of Imo State Indigenes (Imolites) residing in Abia State celebrated its End of Year Get-together in Aba with unprecedented pomp.

The ground-breaking occasion tagged, ‘Ndinotu Ndi Imo’ held at Aba Town Hall on Sunday, December 1, 2024 under the distinguished chairmanship of the Coordinator and Humble Servant, Dr. Prince Fine David, the Medical Director of Divine Care Specialist Hospital, Aba who God has been using to pilot the affairs of the Union over the years as well as putting smiles on the faces of so many Imolites in Abia State, especially the less-privileged among them.

The splendid occasion brought together a galaxy of illustrious sons and daughters of Imo State including delegates from nearly all the 27 local government areas of Imo State namely Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihite Mbaise, Ideato North, Ideato South, Ihitte Uboma, Ikeduru, Isiala Mbano, Isu, Mbaitolu, Ngor-Okpala, Njaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele, Obowo, Oguta, Ohaji-Egbema, Okigwe, Onuimo, Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Owerri Municipal, Owerri North and Owerri West.

According to them, the massive turnout was a testament to their readiness to rekindle their spirit of oneness, to speak with one voice and pursue their collective interests vigorously.

The chairman on the occasion, Dr. Prince Fine David set the tone for the occasion with a brief opening prayer.

He appreciated God for leading them safely throughout the year and implored Him to restore the unity and brotherly affection that existed among them in the past in order to actualize their laudable objectives.

He expressed profound gratitude to members of Imo Union, Abia State Chapter and their esteemed guests for gracing the occasion despite their busy schedules.

He said that they derived their slogan, ‘Imo Union, One Love, Imo Union, One Love, Imo Union, One Love Forever’ from the Bible precisely at John 15: 12, 17 where Jesus Christ commanded his followers to love one another just as he has loved them adding that if they come together in an atmosphere of love, peace and unity that they would make positive impact in Abia State and serve as a rallying point for all Imolites within and outside the nation.

He mooted the idea of building an Ultra-modern Civic Centre for Imo Union in Abia State as well as hosting of Imo Day and urged them to show more commitment to the affairs of Imo Union to ensure the realization of their goals.

He recalled with nostalgia the monumental achievements of the late Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe, the Governor of Old Imo State adding that he made them proud.

He averred that the fire he lighted would never dim as they are poised to sustain his legacies and even add more to it.

He also lauded the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for creating the enabling environment for people from different parts of the nation to dwell in peace, unity and security in the state.

He assured him of their total support and urged him to sustain his transformation agenda in Abia State.

He described him as a detribalized leader and appreciated him for providing a level playing ground in the recent local government election conducted in Abia State, which produced so many councillors of Imo State extraction, especially in Aba North local government area where five Imo State indigenes emerged as councillors out of the ten councillorship seats.

He noted that the population of Imo State indigenes in Abia State is high and appealed to Dr. Alex Chioma Otti to consider their sons and daughters for appointment as commissioners stressing that they are eminently qualified and competent to occupy such exalted position in Abia State.

In a welcome address read by the General Secretary, Ide Okey Ogbonna (Ide na Ideato), members of Imo Union, Abia State Chapter appreciated all for gracing the epoch-making occasion.

However, they expressed dismay that Imo people known as trailblazers and role models wherever they find themselves are now being mocked by their neighbours and told to buckle up because of their seeming disunity and quest for personal gains.

Nevertheless, they expressed the hope that the narrative would change the moment they come together to pursue a common agenda or collective interests.

In his speech, Dr. Ugochukwu Okoro, the Medical Director, Getwell Hospital, Aba appreciated Dr. Prince Fine David for hosting the Get-together.

He described the gathering as a bold step in the right direction and assured him and the entire members of Imo Union of his unalloyed support adding that their coming together would engender positive development in their lives and the society at large.

Highlights of the occasion were the launch of their maiden Almanac and unveiling of Imo Football League in Abia State.

Speaking during the launch of their maiden Almanac, the Leader, Aba North Legislative Council, Hon. Sunday Nnamdi Prince commended the organizers for the joyous occasion.

He expressed satisfaction with the large turnout of people adding that it is a clear indication of their desire to come together, indeed and urged them to sustain their oneness and other things that unite them.

He described the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) as a quintessential leader and true democrat whose concern is to better the lot of the people and transform Abia State and truly make it the pride of the nation.

He reminded the people of Imo State in Abia that their sons and daughters won so many councillorship seats in the recent local government election conducted in the state stressing that in Aba North alone that they won five out of the ten councillorship seats.

He said that Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) has high regard for Imo indigenes and assured Dr. Prince Fine David that his appeal for an Imo son or daughter to be appointed as a commissioner in Abia State would definitely get to Dr. Alex Chioma Otti who he described as a listening governor.

He pledged his continued support to the Association and the entire Imolites in Abia State as their in-law adding that he married from Orlu.

He launched Almanac on behalf of Aba North Legislative Council and also announced the donation of the Mayor of Aba North local government area, Chief Timothy Kalu Iheke in appreciation of the Almanac.

The Leader was accompanied to the occasion by other principal officers of Aba North Legislative Council including the Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip among others.

In his remarks, Barr. K. C. Nwokoro, Barr. Ejiogu Uchenna and others extolled Dr. Prince Fine David’s uncommon passion for uniting Imo State indigenes in Abia State under the auspices of Imo Union adding that it is good for them to be united.

He assured them of the total support of Imo lawyers in Abia State to ensure that they move the Union forward.

On their part, High Chief Sir Emma Atuma Asiegbu, Chief Sir Boniface Mbachu, the Managing Director of BONIMAS Nig. Ltd, Chief Sir Ebenezer Ugochukwu (Mmiri na Ezoro Oha 1 of Ihite Owerre Autonomous Community, Orlu), the Managing Director of Eugo Farm Nig. Ltd and his beautiful wife, Ambassador Chima Iwuoha, Barr. Victor U. Onweremadu, Lady Doris Amaka Udeze,

the President General, Imo State Youths Resident in Abia State, IYORIA, Hon. Ihuoma Jude Panza (aka Alasambra), Hon. Victor A. N. Okpomechina (Omeudo I of Nguru/PRO, Ugbaka Mbaise Cultural Association, Aba), among others commended the untiring efforts of Dr. Prince Fine David in piloting the affairs of Imo Union, Abia State Chapter over the years and donated generously in appreciation of the Almanac.

The occasion was a huge success. It was anchored by Comrade Abel Ogubie (aka MC Sir Mighty Communication).

All those present were treated to sumptuous cuisines, choice drink and quality entertainment despite the prevailing economic hardship across the nation.

Some of those present were Kelechi Virginia Lawrence, Elvis Ebirim,  Ambassador Simon Obiakor, Mbanefo Nwanne, Chief Michael Uchechukwu, Hon. Chief Ezinne Nkechi Ezirim, Mazi Emmanuel Chinonye, Peter Asiegbu and others.