Recently, the Umuoji Youth Development Association clocked 10 years. The
association was formed through the instrumentality of some eggheads in the town who saw the need to come together for the development of the area.
Thus for the Umuoji Youth Development Association, it was not just the celebration of
a decade of existence, but also 10 years of remarkable achievements.
association was formed through the instrumentality of some eggheads in the town who saw the need to come together for the development of the area.
Thus for the Umuoji Youth Development Association, it was not just the celebration of
a decade of existence, but also 10 years of remarkable achievements.
On the appointed day, members of the association had left their busy schedules and their various businesses within and outside
the country to come back to Umuoji town to celebrate the formation of the association,
their staying together, joining forces to lift the community high and the various achievements recorded within the period.
the country to come back to Umuoji town to celebrate the formation of the association,
their staying together, joining forces to lift the community high and the various achievements recorded within the period.
They also seized the opportunity to honour some members of the society, and some of who are not Umuoji natives, but who had
carried out activities that attracted their interest.
carried out activities that attracted their interest.
The venue was Limpopo Gardens, Umuoji which was formerly Okaa Omee Youth Centre, Umuoji.
Those present at the occasion included the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter
Obi; the traditional ruler of Umuoji, H.R.H Igwe Cyril Enweze with members of his
cabinet; the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Tony Onyima, with his wife; Chief Linus Ilozue who represented the Chairman of Chikason Group of Companies Chief Alex Chika Okafor; the Anambra State Commissioner for Youth and
Sports, Hon. Chief Tony Nnacheta; and two former Presidents-General of Umuoji
Improvement Union, Chief Ambrose Chukwuanu and Chief Obi Onwuachu.
Obi; the traditional ruler of Umuoji, H.R.H Igwe Cyril Enweze with members of his
cabinet; the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Tony Onyima, with his wife; Chief Linus Ilozue who represented the Chairman of Chikason Group of Companies Chief Alex Chika Okafor; the Anambra State Commissioner for Youth and
Sports, Hon. Chief Tony Nnacheta; and two former Presidents-General of Umuoji
Improvement Union, Chief Ambrose Chukwuanu and Chief Obi Onwuachu.
Those honoured included former Governor Obi; H.R.H Igwe Cyril Enweze; Chief Tony
Onyima; the leader of the association, Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo; Chief Alex Chika
Okafor, chairman of Chikason Group of Companies; and the chairman emeritus of the
Association, Mr. Charles Okey Anieloka.
In his speech, the national leader of the association, Chief Bishop Okonkwo outlined the objective of the group.
Onyima; the leader of the association, Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo; Chief Alex Chika
Okafor, chairman of Chikason Group of Companies; and the chairman emeritus of the
Association, Mr. Charles Okey Anieloka.
In his speech, the national leader of the association, Chief Bishop Okonkwo outlined the objective of the group.
He disclosed that
the formation of the association was the crystallization of a common desire to rescue
their people from the shackles of
underdevelopment and backwardness.
the formation of the association was the crystallization of a common desire to rescue
their people from the shackles of
underdevelopment and backwardness.
'The spontaneous expression of desire to reject the status quo of squalor resulted in the coming together of some young men who came home during the Yuletide to put up efforts to move Umuoji away from stagnation.
'The objectives include empowerment of the
youths through enlightenment programmes, formal education and skills acquisition, improve the living condition of the people of Umuoji through the provision of basic amenities such as roads, potable water, medical facilities, building and sustaining bond of friendship and brotherhood among the people, the provision of sports and recreational centres, promotion of Umuoji culture and traditional values and skills exhibition and cultural festivals,' he said.
youths through enlightenment programmes, formal education and skills acquisition, improve the living condition of the people of Umuoji through the provision of basic amenities such as roads, potable water, medical facilities, building and sustaining bond of friendship and brotherhood among the people, the provision of sports and recreational centres, promotion of Umuoji culture and traditional values and skills exhibition and cultural festivals,' he said.
He expressed regret that despite the large population of Umuoji and the geographical size of the town, the community had only one health centre which at best could be described as a health post as it lacked basic medical facilities including drugs.
According to him, the association earlier received donation of drugs from Pro-health, an NGO, which was presented to Umuoji Health Centre.
On education, Chief Okonkwo said Umuoji Youth Development Association had so far sponsored the education of five university graduates while two undergraduates were still in the university.
He commended former Governor Obi for awarding contract for the construction of the road leading from Nkwo Umuoji to Eke Abatete which construction was still ongoing.
He commended former Governor Obi for awarding contract for the construction of the road leading from Nkwo Umuoji to Eke Abatete which construction was still ongoing.
He also expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler of Umuoji, Igwe Cyril Enweze; Prof Chukwudi Nwabachili, Prof. Onwudiegwu; Mr. Linus Ilozue, and the Igwe-in-Council, past U.I.U national leadership and branch leaders for what he described as their unalloyed support to the association.
Chief Okonkwo pledged the preparedness of his group to partner with the government in implementing grassroots projects.
He explained that the re-touch of the scholarship fund was to enable the association train more of less privileged children in the universities.
Speaking, Igwe Enweze commended members of the association for coming together and proffering solution to the problems of Umuoji.
The traditional ruler pledged to always identify with the aspirations of the association and advised them not to relent.
Also speaking, Chief Onyima who was a foundation member of the association traced the history of the association and landmark achievements which it recorded.
The commissioner, therefore, thanked the association for the honour done to him and pledged to always assist whenever it is necessary.
Also, Chief Ilozue who stood in for Chief Okafor thanked the association for recognizing his boss whom he said is a Nnewi man, but had continued to render assistance to the Umuoji community, especially in youth employment.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Youth
and Sports commended members of the association on their laudable programmes, saying they run contrary to the activities of youth associations in some communities where the youths go around harassing laudable developers.
and Sports commended members of the association on their laudable programmes, saying they run contrary to the activities of youth associations in some communities where the youths go around harassing laudable developers.
He, however, advised them to register their association at Awka so that they would be recognized in the state.
Highlights of the occasion include the cutting
of the anniversary cake and the issuance of plaques for award of excellence to the recipients.
of the anniversary cake and the issuance of plaques for award of excellence to the recipients.