By Onyinyechi Nwankwo
In what was carnival-like celebration, the people of Amaifeke, in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, honoured and celebrated their finest LG Council Chairman and illustrious son, Hon. Christian Okechukwu Mbarie, in a grand civic reception.
The reception organized by the 3 autonomous communities in Amaifeke, was held at Premier Primary School Field, Amaifeke, Orlu, on Saturday.
In his remarks, chairman of the occasion, Prof. Fab Ukozor, commended indigenes of Amaifeke for recognizing their son, Christian Mbarie, who he identified as a rare gem, saying he deserved the honour accorded to him.
Ukozor described the event as historical, affirming that the LGA is blessed to have christian Mbarie at the helm of its affairs, remarking that his courage for good leadership is indeed instrumental to peace and development being witnessed at the ever commercial and agrarian area.
While encouraging the people of the locality to continue to give the Council Chairman the needed support to be able to steer effectively the affairs of the local government, Ukozor prayed to God Almighty to continue to be with Mbarie as he renders quality service to the people, recommending for his second term.
In his address, Executive Chairman of Orlu LG, Pastor Mbarie, enumerated some of his key achievements in the locality within the few months he assumed office as Orlu Executive Chairman to include, improvement of the security situation of all the communities, empowerment of about 300 indigent women with the sum eighty thousand naira each to engage in petty trading to improve their living.
He also stated that he embarked on grading of roads in all the communities through the elected councillors from the 13 INEC Wards, as a palliative measure to make the roads motorable and boost economic activities, among other numerous accomplishments.
barie warmly thanked Governor Hope Uzodinma for the opportunity he gave him to head Orlu Council, first as Sole Administrator, a position, according to him, enabled him to showcase his administrative acumen and garner experiences that culminated to his emergence as the Executive Chairman.
He passionately appreciated his people including royal fathers of Amaifeke for honouring him grandly and forthwith dedicated the merits of the civic reception to his number one political family; Imo Hope For Good Governance, a political group he led that saw to the second tenure of Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Earlier, the Chairman, Organizing Committee, Chief Ozioma Chukwudi Okolie, said Amaifeke is a community continually blessed with great leaders who are always concerned about lifting the people positively and developing Orlu even infrastructure and commercially.
Okolie seized the opportunity to solicit aid from the State Governor, the Executive Chairman of Orlu and other well meaning leaders in order to properly fix their primary and secondary schools, get more solar powered street lights, construct, rehabilitate internal roads, evacuate refuse dumps, which he said pose health hazard to the people, among other challenges to be addressed.
Some special dignitaries who took turns to give their goodwill messages were former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, represented by Dr. Vin Udokwu, Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Community Policing, Eze E. C Okeke, Eze Udo 11 of Amaifeke Ancient Kingdom, traditional ruler of Isiala, Amaifeke autonomous Community, Eze Okey Ihemegwo, former Rep. Member for Orlu/Orsu/Orlu East Federal Constituency, Hon.Jerry Alagbaoso.
Others were the Special Adviser to Governor Uzodin ma on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affiars, Hon. Willie Okolieogwo (Ome ka Odi mma N’Oru) and Executive Chairmen of LGs, the Clergy, former SOLADs, Imo Hope for Good Governance group, and Guild of Nigeria Movie Actors.
Highlights of the event were presentation of gifts to the Orlu Council Boss by different religious, political and social groups, with the reception being colored with cultural displays.
