By Ezeakukwu Emmanuel Nsoedo
The Nzuko Ora Nnewi EXCO led by Dr. Maduka Atueyi and the President General of Otolo Nnewi, Hon Amobi joined the Egbu-Umuenem community meeting being a meeting sanctioned by the Anambra State Government for the community election.
During the meeting, Architect Paul Ileka, the incumbent President General, and his executive were determined to step down. He addressed the community for the support he enjoyed from the entire community, both at home and abroad.
Arch Ileka gave his stewardship account which includes: a vibrant security personnel, over 10 security motorcycles, a van, and a Mercedes jeep, and a substantial funds reserve, etc.
Arch Ileka counted togetherness and peaceful coexistence as what he and his administration cherished so much. He recalled how they worked closely with the members of the Umuicheke kindred to restore peace among them.
Arch Ileka recalled the fight to restore the rights and dignity of Mr. Ik Onwuelo whose compound was physically abused by Dr. Emeka Onwuelo. Dr. Onwuelo usurped his rights to exercise over his estate before the community intervened. That case attracted the intervention of Dr. Cletus Ibeto and Umuenem at large.
The issues surrounding the case of Ik Onwelo had caused community visits to the police, all the way to Abuja, and finally the court. Arch Ileka continues, that the incoming administration must also take note of the special status of the Unachukwu Igboanugo family.
His administration also settled the outstanding debt incurred regarding the construction of the community event center/ hall, in addition to the significant work his administration did, Arch Ileka announced.
Arch Ileka spoke glowingly of the Egbu Education Trust Fund as the pride of the community to care for the education needs of the Egbu-Umuenem children who would otherwise not be able to receive education, despite their brilliance. Ileka urged the incoming executive to organize fundraising from time to time to ensure the Trust remains buoyant. The executive of Arch Ileka dissolved his executive and committees.
Dr. Maduka Atueyi and his team took over managing the agenda of the day. He spoke extensively about the unique nature of Nnewi where there are ubiquitous PGs. Conducting elections in the various villages and sub-villages had become an issue in Nnewi.
In those areas, the Nzuko Ora would step in to assist the state government to ensure peace and harmony in those communities. Having said that, the Nzuko Ora Nnewi does not look forward to participating in the village elections.
“That we are here because a candidate petitioned us and there was a counter,” Dr. Atueyi emphasized that the difficulty the Egbu community had experienced in conducting the election warranted their presence based on the authority they derived from the State Government.
In trying to discharge their duty, they took time to scrutinize the Constitution of Egbu-Umuenem to ensure they do not run foul of its tenets which was clear that elections must be held every December 31st, Dr. Atueyi observed. Atueyi noted that the Constitution was very emphatic on that, hence, the EXCO had decided to appoint a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the community through December 2024.
The Secretary Nzuko Ora Nnewi, Hon Echezona Anazodo was invited to read out the names of the Caretaker Committee. The members are: Kenechukwu Okeke, Christian Nnoli, Titus Chukwujekwu, Onyeka Mbonu, Chinedu Okonkwo.
The members of the Caretaker Committee were subsequently congratulated by the visiting delegation before they were inaugurated by the President of Nzuko Ora Nnewi.