HOW GOV HOPE UZODINMA COMMISSIONED ISU COUNTRY CLUB AMID COMMENDATIONS

Posted on March 20, 2021

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

Despite the innumerable activities practically lined up for him as the Executive Governor of Imo State, especially, during the festive season, Governor Hope Uzodinma made out time as he honoured the invitation of United Isu Progressive Union, UIPU, as a Special Guest of Honour for the official unveiling and commissioning of UIPU’s Country Club on Saturday, 2nd January, 2021, amid commendations.

The United Isu Progressive Union, formed 18 years ago by broad-minded and progressive sons of Isu clan in Nwangele LGA, is a sociocultural cum political organization, which has today become a rallying point for leadership discourse and engagement while championing the cause for social reengineering and development in Nwangele LGA and across the Federal Constituency.

During his opening remarks, the Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma saluted the resilience, team work and industry spirit of United Isu Progressive Union under the dynamic leadership of Chief (Engr.) Celestine Opurum, MBA, FCMI, for completing an edifice of a Country Club; where members of the Union gather to brainstorm and chart a way forward for the common good of Isu clan in particular and Nwangele Local Government area in general.

The Governor, however, seized the opportunity the occasion provided to passionately appeal to traditional rulers and political leaders in Nwangele LGA as critical strategic partners to see the urgent economic need to allow Government’s implementation of the Agricultural Development Initiative geared towards providing gainful employment to the teeming youths who roam aimlessly in the village without sustainable source of livelihood.

According to the Governor: ” Nwangele LGA does not have Government presence and a single establishment by the either the State or Federal Government; thus, the need to support the industrial cluster initiative which has the production propensity to produce palm oil, palm kernel oil and merger mill”.

While addressing his audience and invited guests, Governor Hope Uzodinma reiterated his commitment to run an all inclusive administration, where everybody is a stakeholder in the development of their individual Local Government area and the entire state.

In unveiling and commissioning the project, Governor Hope Uzodinma accompanied by the Honourable Member representing Nwangele Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, Governor of United Isu Progressive Union, Chief Engr. Celestine Opurum, Chairman of the occasion, High Chief Michael Onuoha (Eririego of Igboland, Ikoro Isu, Lord Earl) and the Traditional Prime Minister of Dim-Na-Nume Isu Autonomous Community, Chief Ukadike Chinedu (Eshiagu), cut the ribbon as the building was dedicated to the glory of God.

Going down memory lane, in an honest attempt to trace the foundation base of United Isu Progressive Union, that has today become a powerful socio-political elitist club in Nwangele LGA, the writer discovered that the union, which started 18 years ago, had witnessed successful transitions starting with the Emeritus Governor, Nze Dom Apala Njoku JP, who laid the solid base for its take off as the Pioneer Governor, followed by Chief Paul Chijioke Duru (Ochiri), as the first elected Governor, who incorporated the union with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, with his successor in the person of Chief Austine Ike Nwoke, who acquired the land and took a bold step in 2013 for the development of the land, which was finally completed by the serving Governor of the Union, a cerebral, organised and highly calculative structural engineer, Chief Celestine Opurum (Ekwueme of Isu).

The event, which had Governor Hope Uzodinma alongside the retinue of his colorful entourage, also had in attendance Senator Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia North Senatorial District in Senate but was ably represented by High Chief Michael Onuoha.

Other creme de la creme in the attendance included but not limited to High Chief JohnBosco Ozigbo, (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga) Chief Michael Onuoha Eririego of Igboland, Ikoro Isu, Lord Earl) as Chairman of the occasion, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, ably represented by the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Planning, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu, Imo Deputy Speaker and member representing Nwangele Constituency, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, KSC, Chief Ugonna Ozurigbo representing Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba Federal Constituency, Hon. Cosmos Iwuogu, IMC Chairman for Nwangele LGA, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Secretary of the State Government, Imo State, Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Hon. Daniel Oguh, Hon. Onyemaechi Kanayo-Dele (now Majority leader of the IMHA), Board of Trustees of United Isu Progressive Union Hon. Tony Uchenda (Inine Isu), Dr. Charles Oirie, Chairman of ISOPADEC, Chief Dr. Batos Nwadike, SA Political Matters to the Governor, Chief Ukadike Chinedu (TPM Dim na Nume) Amb. Emma Obasi, Chief Paul Duru, (Ochiri), Engr. Amara Anyiam, Deputy Governor of UIPU, Rt. Hon. Jones Onyereri, High Chief Cosmas Maduka (Odebube Isu) Prince Ferdinand Akano, Pst. Maurice Obinali, Chief Casmir Osuoha, while Prince Chinedu Udoji; a member of the Union and a high profile master of ceremony, dutifully and skillfully coordinated the event with a mastery befitting of his class.

The traditional rulers from Nwangele LGA spotted at the event included HRH, Eze Godwin Ndubueze Ejiogu (Kara of Umunakara), HRH Eze na Ugoeze EFNI Akano, (Eze Isu, Eze Durukparakatam of Isu Ancient Kingdom), HRH, Eze K.C. Onukwuri Obinjo of Isiala Umuozu, HRH, Eze Onuenyi B.I. Uzomah, (Ekiti II of Ekitiafor, Abba) and HRH, Eze Sir (Dr) Nelson Obasi, CP Rtd (Dim II of Dim na Nume).

It was gathered that the State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, was later treated in a private cuisine by his host and member representing Nwangele Constituency, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu; at his palatial Basilica of Grace, Dim -Na-Nume Isu Country Home while High Chief Johnbosco Ozigbu, Apex leader of the LGA, also served as a co-host of the August visitor.