It was a great day on 17th, June 17, as the people of Owerri Federal Constituency gathered at the residence of their newly elected and sworn-in House of Representatives Member, Hon Sir Tochukwu Chinedum Okere, for a thanksgiving in celebration of his inauguration and Swearing in at the National Assembly on June, 13.
As a dual celebration, the occasion was also used to mark the memorial service of his late mother, Chief Lady Happiness Akuoma Okere, who departed the world last year,2022.
In a church service at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Amaorie Obibiezena, the Anglican Bishop of Egbu Diocese, His Lordship, the Rt Rev Dr Geoffrey Enyinnaya Okorafor, who officiated at the service admonished politicians to be good Representatives of the people, working wholeheartedly for the general interest of the citizens.
Advising Hon Okere specifically, the Bishop recalled: “It was on this very Altar Of God that you brought your purchased form and begged God to guide you through the rigours of the electioneering campaigns. You also asked God to grant you victory. In our supplication to God Almighty, we prayed to him to grant your heart desires.
God heard our prayers and gave you victory in return. For this reason, I want to advise you to keep to every word you have promised to the people of Owerri Federal Constituency. Do not fail them!”
The Bishop frowned at the ravaging conditions of Imo roads and other social infrastructures and emphatically declared that the governments at various levels have failed the people. He told Hon Okere to ensure that his tenure as a legislator brings expected dividends of democracy to the good people of Owerri Federal constituency.
Bishop Okorafor called on God to guide and bless Hon Okere in his new legislative assignment towards his Constituents. He extended his prayers to his old father, Sir Chief Benjamin Okere, his wife, Lady Weruche Okere, his children and friends and well-wishers.
Mounting the church podium to address the numerous guests at the church service, Hon. Chinedum Okere expressed immense gratitude to God Almighty by whose mercy, grace, love and providence he has become all he is, today.
In an emotion ladden voice, Hon Okere thanked the good people of Owerri Federal Constituency for counting him worthy to be elected the legislator to serve them in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly. The Lawmaker asserted: ‘Umunnem nde Owerri Federal Constituency, just as I promised you during the politicking periods, I want to say again, and before the Altar Of God that I will keep to every promise I made to you. It is certainly not going to be business as usual. I will not fail you’.
In what appeared as a comic relief during his speech, Hon.Okere said: ‘I want to ask those whose stuck in trade is giving wrong advice to politicians, after they have won elections, not to come to me. Don’t come close to advise me’,he pleaded.
Shortly after the church service, the compound of the Lawmaker was fully jam-packed as his Constituents from the thirty three communities in Owerri Federal Constituency converged in his home town, Obibiezena for total merriment.
In attendance at the occasion were Hon. Tony Nwulu, running mate to Imo Labour Party gubermatorial candidate, Sen Athan Achonu, Current House of Rep Member, representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor-Okpala Federal Constituency, Hon Dr Mathew Nwogu, Director General, Athan Achonu Campaign Council, Engr Chime Nzeribe, the new State Labour Party chairman, Barr Calistus Ihejiagwa, LP State Treasurer, Hon Nneka Onwudiwe, LP State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Bright Ofurum, LP State Youth Leader, Hon Chris Okorondu, Prof Ibeawuchi, Prof Akujuobi and a host of other dignitaries.
Many traditional rulers led by HRH, Eze Eunan Eke, Okpo 1 of Okpo Autonomous Community, were also present at the occasion.
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT