By Joseph Nwachukwu
The new Executive Chairman of Oru East LGA, Imo state, Chief Nnamdi Okwaraigwe last Tuesday, October 15, swears in the ten newly elected Councillors of the ten wards in Oru East.
Performing the ceremony,Hon Nnamdi Okwaraigwe thanked the executive Governor of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma for conducting the Local Government election that ushered them in. He assured the people of Oru East of adequate dividends of democracy as he urged the new Councillors to make good bye laws that would improve the economy, social and political developments.
Earlier in her address the Clerk of the House, Mrs Amakaihe Scholastica Echefu told the seventh House of the Council that the peaceful election that ushered them in should not be marred by bad conduct but should be sustained by making good laws through high moral behavior. She stated that the 3R mantra of Imo state government must be at work coupled with due process that must be observed in carrying out legislative duties and other assignments.
On his part, the Director of Administration and General Services, DAGS in Oru East, Sir Chidi Okere also thanked Governor Hope Uzodinma for conducting the Local Government elections that hasn’t been held for years.
He stressed that the Councillors, the Chairman, Hon Okwaraigwe and his deputy, Hon Casmir Ogbenna of appropriate environment that would enable them function effectively and efficiently. He also advised them to. be of good repute for their future political career, adding that all the staff would support the House.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri, Chief Ferdinand Uzodinma who represented the Governor congratulated the new Council Legislators as he urged them to accommodate all and sundry irrespective of party affiliation. He reminded the Chairman and the Councillors that they are the chief servants of their various wards and therefore are expected to deliver the dividends of democracy to the grassroots with the fear of God.
In his acceptance speech, the leader of the House, Hon Timothy Chizoba thanked Governor Uzodinma, the House and the people who made the ceremony a huge success and for the confidence reposed on him.
He assured all of proper legislative duties and adequate representation with dedication to office functions that would improve the Local Government and the state. He further said that equity, transparency and accountability would be the watch word hence the Local Government is watching and the people waiting.
Highlights of the event were the issuance of Certificate of Return to the Councillors and the election of the House functionaries which brought, Hon Chizoba of Amiri Ward 2 as the leader of the House, Hon Barrister Kennedy Kelechi Ezeribe of Awo-Omamma Ward 1 as Deputy Leader while Honourables Emmanuel Okorie ,Omuma Ward was made the Majority leader,as Ngozi Josephine Odih became the Chief Whip. Other members of the House include Honourables Stanley Chibuike Akpuchukwu ,Awo Ward 2, Cornelius Chukwumeziem Ngozi, Awo Ward 3, Vitalis Madu, Amiri Ward 1 ,Duru Ernest Ezinwanne, Awo Ward 4, Egbe Chidi Benedict of Akuma Ward and Ochuba Ifeanyi Vernatius Victor, Akatta Ward
Dignitaries from Government House Owerri that graced the event were Chief Oru, Hon Vincent Odih, Nze Nyerere, former T C Chairman, Oru East LGA, party faithful and others.