Excitement As Gov Hope Uzodinma Commissions Amaigbo Unity Forum’s Ultra Modern Civic Centre

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

It was moments of overwhelming joy, excitement and pleasant surprise in Amaigbo, Nwangele LGA, Imo State, on Wednesday, December 30th, 2020, as the State Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, alongside the retinue of his colourful entourage arrived for the official grand opening of Amaigbo Unity Forum’s ultra modern civic center amid thunderous applause by invited guests, community leaders as well as onlookers.

Amaigbo Unity Forum is a  voluntary elite club peopled by professionals, technocrats,  captains of industry, members of the ivory tower, members of the wig and bench profession, engineers, pharmacists, medical doctors, road construction giants, boardroom business strategists, consultants, politicians, top government functionaries and   members of the various State and Federal Governments boards.

Proactively founded in 1999 by select prominent sons and daughters of the community, to fill the lingering vacuum created by lack of united and formidable leadership, absence of a viable platform that could serve as a catalyst and rallying point towards the activation, harnessing and sustenance of the sociocultural potentials of the Amaigbo Community while fostering a common development driven  agenda with unity of purpose,  and to also raise the stake of the Amaigbo nation in the political firmament of Nwangele LGA,  nay Imo State.

However, with the concerted but failed similar efforts made in the past by the founding fathers as well as the founding members of a now most organised and formidable social platform, not just in Nwangele LGA but across Orlu Senatorial zone, a new vista  and horizon was opened; a  broader and sustained vision birthed by the new leadership of Amaigbo Unity Forum under the  vibrant, articulate and distinguished chairmanship of His Excellency, Engr. Cletus Egbuzie, Governor, Amaigbo Unity Forum, Whose leadership mandate and collective challenge was not just to chair the affairs of the forum to galvanize a common sociocultural and political interest, but one that would outlive his generation and stand as a symbol of unity, brotherhood and panacea for the emerging political dimension, cultural growth and economic resurgence of Amaigbo.

One can say without being guilty of sounding immodest that  Amaigbo Unity Forum, for the record time, takes the lead as the most organised, most funded and most united elitist club in Nwangele LGA; as it parades   professionals with cordon blue jobs within the Nigeria’s corporate sharks as her members.

For instance, the Governor of the Forum, His Excellency, Engr. Cletus Egbuzie, the Chief Executive Officer of WECE Petroleum Engineering Works and Services Ltd, prior to his retirement after 33 years of meritorious service with Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Production Company (ExxonMobil), was the Head and General Manager, Operations Technical Subsurface, and had the functional oversight of all Reservoir Engineering and Subsurface Engineering activities in Mobil Production.

To prepare himself for the job and remain atop on the corporate ladder, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Gas Engineering from Texas A & M University, Kingsville, Texas; and a Master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from University of Oklahoma , Norman Oklahoma. He had attended several technical, management, leadership development and certification programmes from reputable institutions of learning within and outside Nigeria.

That a man, with such pedigree and international exposure is elected to govern Amaigbo Unity Forum is a huge testimony to the cream of its membership. Of a truth, AUF is an elite club for men and women of substance, pedigree, track record and  undisputable antecedents, not for beginners.

Therefore, Nwangele LGA was shaken to its very foundation during the official unveiling of Amaigbo Unity Forum’s ultra modern civic center by a highly impressed and elated Imo State Governor,  His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

During his remarks, Governor Hope Uzodinma noted with  nostalgia the show of philanthropy, generosity, and spirit of industry exhibited by the past leaders of Amaigbo community among whom was; the late Chief Theo Mbakwe (of blessed memory). He however, commended the leadership of Amaigbo Unity Forum under Engr. Cletus Egbuzie for sustaining this rare legacy of unity of purpose, patriotism and philanthropy.

In his own words, the Governor said: “The leadership of Engr. Cletus Egbuzie has taken this to the next level. And what we have seen today and what we have  commissioned is a clear testimony that sense of unity, patriotism and philanthropy is still strong in this community, Amaigbo”.

On making the Civic Centre, which has a resort centre more viable, the State Governor enjoined all leaders and stakeholders  to support the proposed State Government’s  plan to industrialize Nwangele LGA as the commerical hub of the Federal Constituency as well over 18,000 youths from this Constituency have no meaningful jobs due to lack of State Government’s presence.

During his speech, Chairman of the occasion and Nigeria’s former Minister of Information, Chief Dr. Walter Ofonagoro, applauded the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, whom he described as an illustrious son of Orlu Zone; an age long friend of Amaigbo and adopted son of Nwangele LGA.He also commended the State Governor for his visionary leadership, political trajectory and milestone recorded so far within a short period of time in office. He however, recounted the challenges he had to be subjected to in order to be part of the epoch-making event which was graced by the Governor in his Amaigbo country home.

The Governor of Amaigbo Unity Forum, Engr. Cletus Egbuzie, a soft speaking professional and critical stakeholder in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, while observing established protocols during his speech, expressed joy to have welcomed the Governor and all invited guests to the auspicious occasion of the commissioning and grand opening of the Amaigbo Unity Forum’s state-of-the art civic centre. An event which theme was tagged: “Partnering with the State Government for Sustainable Development in Nwangele LGA and Amaigbo in particular”.A golden opportunity and wonderful platform created by the leadership of AUF to extend  hands of development partnership to the Imo State Government, and also to the celebrated special guests of awardees, who were expected to kick off the sustainable development plans of the multi -million Naira projects of the Forum. 

Engr. Cletus Egbuzie, however,  commended in no small measures the efforts and contributions of the various constituted sub-committees  of  AUF; Chairman of the Commissioning Committee and PRO, Pharm. Ken Onuegbu and his team for working tirelessly and flawlessly to ensure the success of the watershed event  despite the pressures from all corners.

Also spotted was Pharm. Kenneth Onuegbu; Chief Executive Officer of Tricare Pharma Limited, who is  the PRO of Amaigbo Unity Forum and Chairman of the Commissioning Committee working both assiduously and tirelessly to ensuring a hitch -free event given the high expectations from a formidable group like the AUF.

AmaIgbo Unity Forum, Civic Centre, which approximately  occupies 2 acres of land, is  located opposite Nwangele LGA Headquarters and is situated in a most friendly, peaceful and natural ambience with a functional resort centre, recreational park, lawn and table tennis courts and VIP lounge,  where chilled drinks and native foods are served 24|7. One of a kind in Nkwerre |Isu|Nwangele|Njaba Federal Constituency that can compete favourably with what you see in Calabar, Cross River State.

A good relaxation centre for families, the political and working class as their tasteful food menu leaves one in doubt why such huge investment was made in a community rather than in the city.

4thestatereporters.com,  while speaking with Engr. Chris Ukomadu, a founding member of Amaigbo Unity Forum, its four  consecutive times Financial Secretary and respected community leader, gathered that the Nigerian Breweries Plc while partnering with the Forum recently donated freezers to the Civic Center as a demonstration of the confidence reposed in the leadership of AUF while sharing its endearing developmental agenda.

Engr. Chris Ukomadu, a Lagos based road construction expert  and businessman, however, disclosed that plans are in top gear for the Forum to implement its architectural masterplan for a magnificent hotel to support the resort centre.

With the above, he stated: “People may not see reasons to travel down to Owerri with their families during festive season for relaxation when such pleasure and related luxury can be found at the Civic Center with a police post for security” he concluded.

The landmark and epoch-making event had in attendance the creme da la creme of Nwangele and Imo State political leaders and other critical stakeholders among whom were; His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodinma, His Royal Highness, Eze Nelson Nwosu (Igbo of Amaigbo) ably represented by Chief Ezekiel Chukwere (I know this man, the field marshal), His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Chukwudi Ihenetu; Eze Igbo in Ghana, Chief  Dr. Walter Ofonagoro; Nigeria’s former Minister of Information, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu; Imo Deputy Speaker and member representing Nwangele Constituency; Hon. Cosmos Iwuagwu; IMC Chairman for Nwangele LGA,  Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo; member representing Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal Constituency, Dr. C.C. Osuala; Imo State Commissioner for Budget & Planning; Rt. Hon. Jones Onyereri, Hon. Bobby Michaels; SA to  Imo State Governor on Entertainment, Dr. Chidi Uzoma; SA to Imo State Governor Lagos Liason Office,  Dr. Okey Onyejika ; former IMC Chairman for Nwangele LGA, Sir Fyne Madumere ; PG Amaigbo Town Union , Chief Obi Akwiwu (Nze Nwachiemere), Head of the Akwiwu Dynasty in Ogwuaga Abba, Rt. Hon. Amaechi Nwoha,  Chief Dr. Johnbosco Nkpadobi , among other respected leaders and dignitaries.

– Njoku MacDonald Obinna

Media Consultant|PR-Expert
Publisher, 4thestatereporters.com