Umuenem Otolo Nnewi celebrated Enem Hall at 70 years in a grand style

By Ezeakukwu Emmanuel Nsoedo

Umuenem Otolo Nnewi (Obodo Ukpaka), a strategic community within Nnewi, this year, on December 27th, 2022, commemorated the annual event tagged “Enem Hall Day” with a sense of purpose and history. It was a day marked by the remembrance of the iconic hall and some of the human titans that played a patriotic role in the progress and development of the Umuenem people.

The Umuenem Family Union under the Presidency of Lawrence Obimdike, his executive, enlarged EXCO, Obi Umuenem/Egbu and the Obi-in-Council took the smart step to remember the effort of those that gave of themselves to etch the name of Umuenem permanently on the map beyond the boundaries of Nnewi and the Eastern Nigeria.

The chairman of the day, Chief Dr. Cletus Ibeto (Omekannaya), harped on the zealous desire of those who built the hall without any selfish consideration but just for the people’s interest. He called on the Umuenem people to go back and embrace the commitment and character of those men that made it possible to build the elegant Enem hall 1952, which was then in a class of its own.

Earlier, the Obi Umuenem/Egbu Chief Afam Obiekosi used the kola nut to pray. He thanked God for the life of the Enem people and the spirit of brotherhood He engendered among them. Obi Umuenem remembered our great men who invested blood and resources in securing our community. He asked God to bless Chief Cletus Ibeto for his unselfish commitment to Umuenem and Nnewi. Chief Afam Obiekosi prayed for peace and love in the community.

Chief Emmanuel Okeke, Obi Dunuogonu, and Chief Chukwuka Obiekwe, regent for Ogbe quarter, prayed for peace and progress in Umuenem.

Ibeto urged the people, especially the young people present, to dream big, and he prayed that if in the future there is a need to change the current hall to a better edifice, that an individual could do so just as he did without any assistance.

It will be recalled that the vintage Enem Hall was opened in 1952 with the late Owelle Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Louis Ojukwu, and several front line politicians were in attendance.

The Enem hall put the town on the map as a destination place for tourism, as people from all corners of Nigeria came to see a community hall that was like no other. The opening day remains permanently as a day for cultural carnival which attracts people from all works of life to the center to see masquerades and musical troupes.

Over the years, the famous Enem hall fell into disrepair. Through the singular effort of Chief Cletus Ibeto, who built once more, a memorable edifice without a rival because of the first class amenities installed and quality of the esthetics deployed.

The President of Umuenem, Law Obimdike recalls that the construction of the unique Enem hall was symbolic in many respects both as a sign of unity, development, and freedom from bondage.

The President explained to the men, women, and children present that a special posthumous award will be granted to only fifteen of the men who contributed to the concept and building of the hall. The President repeated severally that the awardees deserve the recognition “because while others were busy with their personal engagements, the awardees were tasking themselves to see the hall built to perfection that it was in 1952.

The President thanked Chief Cletus Ibeto for his indomitable spirit. He was most grateful for the magnificent hall he built for the Umuenm people to compensate for the 1952 hall that became neglected. He thanked him for expanding the premises which have added value to the building.

Obimdike also used the opportunity of his remarks to remind the audience that many more individuals who participated in construction of the hall will be honored as time goes on.

Some individuals who received the posthumous awards were Chief LNE Nsoedo, Abel Okoye, the great educator, Muogbo; Isaac Okoli, John Mbonu, Ofojebe, Ezenyibu, Nzewi, etc.

The Enem Youth movement pledged to carry on the tradition of our forefathers by remaining resolute in service to the community. They gifted the Obi Umuenem with a giant ram.

The mammoth crowd was treated to the children’s dance, the women’s dance, and the performance of many masquerades. Several dignitaries were in attendance, including candidates standing for election next 2023.