People from the Autonomous Communities that make up Ohaji/Egbema LGA Gov of Imo State trooped out in their numbers to the Government House Owerri on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024, to thank the Imo State Governor His Excellency Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma for appointing a new Sole Administrator (SALAD) for the Local Government Council, Hon. Princewill Onyejioke, whom they described as visionary and down to earth.
They were received, on behalf of the Governor, by the Chief of Staff Government House Chief Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie. After reeling out their reasons for their solidarity match, Barr. Anyaehie promised to deliver their message to the Governor, even as he advised them to go home and maintain peace and tranquility.
From the Government House, they moved to Rear Admiral Ndubuisi (former Heroes) Square, where they swore in the new Presidents General and Executive Members of the various Autonomous Communities in the LGA.
In his acceptance speech, the newly sworn in PG of Assa Autonomous Community, Comrade Reward Evans, thanked the Governor and the State Government for ensuring the smooth election of the Town Union Executives in the LGA.
Evans said: “God has used His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma to mark a historical beginning in our Assa Ohaji and by extension to the adjoining Communities of Ohaji/Egbema LGA, by nominating us to serve the Community, towards her rapid development.”
Continuing, the Assa PG said: “His Excellency is passionate towards the overall development of our Communities, especially Assa Community Ohaji. That’s why he has appointed these men of impeccable character to steer the Leadership of Assa Community. Thanks and God bless Your Excellency Sir. Your immense developmental strides in Imo State are very conspicuous for all to see.”
Furthering, Assa Ohaji PG said: “Our promise to you is that we shall live up to expectations and bring about the desired peace and development in Assa Autonomous Community. It’s an established fact that Assa Community is presently the host to over five Multi-National and Indigenous Companies producing Oil and Gas, especially SPDC and SEPLAT ENERGY PLC, producing over five hundred million cubic feet of Gas per day. Thus, we shall work in synergy to bring the desired developments to our Community and Imo State in general.”
Addressing the press immediately after the solidarity visit to the Governor by his people, the Sole Administrator (SOLAD) of Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area, Hon. Princewill Onyejioke thanked the Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma for finding him worthy to serve his people, promising to render selfless service in the area and maintain the already existing peace in the LGA, which he said the people have been enjoying from the time of the immediate past SOLAD. He urged the people to continue to embrace the peace.
The immediate past PG of Obile Autonomous Community Hon. Kingsley Chigozie Omuruka appreciated the Governor for maintaining peace in the state and for giving him the opportunity to serve his people, through the office of PG and also as the President General of all the Presidents General in Imo State.
Said he: “Today, I am happy that power has shifted to the other bloc in my Community that is supposed to take over the power, as zoned by the Autonomous Community.
Omuruka maintained that: “Town Union is a different body of its own, as today we are talking of Town Union issue which the Executives from the areas have emerged. I admonish my people to support Governor Hope Uzodimma Administration.”
Furthering, he said: “During my time as PG, security was my priority and I ensured that security was restored in Ohaji Egbema LGA. Before I came into office as the PG, my place was battling with insecurity. Now that leaders have emerged, they should not allow hoodlums to penetrate our Community.”
He appealed to the traditional rulers to ensure that development is attracted to the Communities in the LGA, as he said that the sons and daughters of that area are lagging behind. The President of all the PGs in the state highlighted some of his visible projects which includes 100 capacity Hall; secondary school, to enable the young people in the area embrace education, even as he advised the new leaders to consolidate on development already put in place.
Lending his own voice, Hon. Ogbonnaya Uche, President General Obile, assured peace in the Community, saying that peace brings development. “I will toe the footsteps of my predecessor to make the Governor, my people and my leaders proud in this assignment, for whom much is given, much is expected and our leader remains Hon. Nana Opiah. I will carry my people along and their rights will be respected,” Ogbonnaya declared.
A former Youth President and APC Ward Chairman, Amechi John while adding his voice, pointed out that Town Union is a Community Union that sees over the welfare of the people in the community areas. He said that it is also a sensitive body that requires people with track record of integrity to occupy.
He added that the Youth came out en masse to show solidarity to the Governor for the newly elected leaders.
The Chairman of all Chairmen in Ohaji Egbema expressed gratitude to the Governor for the emergence of the new PGs in the six Communities of the Local Government Area, adding that the youths of the area will support them in their various offices.