IMSG To Partner With Ogwa Unity Forum Over Rural Development – Ononuju

Worried by the deplorable state of infrastructural developments especially roads and schools in Ogwa Anunu Umu Mgbe ancient community in Mbaitoli council area of Imo State, the State Government has vowed to partner with Ogwa Unity Forum (OUF)in revamping the developmental needs of the ancestral community and its environ.

Barr. Kingsley Ononuju, the Imo State Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry gave this assurance on Wednesday when Engr Chinaka Ekeanyanwu, led members of the developmental Interventionist Group paid him a courtesy call in his office at Imo State Secretariat along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.

Ononuju who extolled the administrative commitment of Governor Hope Uzodimma under the 3R (Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reintegration) and Shared Prosperity mantra advised the Forum to be supportive of the State Government noting that the Governor means well for the state.

He commended the Forum for all their patriotic gestures in uplifting the ancient community with 40 polling units and appealed to them as one of  their own not to relent while reiterating the state government efforts in repositioning and transforming  rural communities in the state immediately the rain stopped.

The Commissioner who described Governor Uzodimma as God sent Administrator recalled how he attracted the road from Amanwozuzu to Iho and terminated at Ekeoha Ogwa when he was Senior Adviser to Governor Ikedi Ohakim on NEPAD and further canvassed theneed for love and unity of purpose among the forumites.

Earlier, in an address Ekeanyanwu as the Chairman of the Coordinators read on behalf of Mr Paterson Onuegbu, the Administrator of the Forum informed that Ogwa Unity Forum represents the most visible and widely accepted apex socio-cultural development oriented organization dominantly populated by Ogwa elites and with the objective of ensuring an accelerated development of the community and to indulge in anything that will positively promote the welfare and well-being of its people.

According to him “historically, our forebears were credited to represent champions of development as they took the lead in attracting key amenities like pipe borne water, hospital, electricity, schools, churches etc before most other communities in the old Eastern region like the typical Igbo Community, we have survived and grown ourselves through self-help than through government support.

For some decades after suffering serious development inertia,a group of development thirsty young men led by Mr Paterson Onuegbu, decided to aggregate to pick up the development initiative of our predecessors since there has been little of government presence in the area. The passion to take our destiny in our own hands gave birth to OUF” he informed.
The Chairman of the Coordinators also informed that since inception of the Forum in 2016 that the group has been able to endear itself into the heart of the people by executing some development oriented projects like roads rehabilitation, regular crusade programmes, tackling insecurity challenges through provision of multi million Naira steel iron barricades and regular support to the community security vigilantes,organized  skills acquisition program for the youth and women as well as provision of NIS Health Insurance Scheme to 30 indigent women among other things.

Ekeanyanwu pointed out that the essence of the visit apart from felicitating with him as an illustrious kinsman but to explore ways to partner with the state government in the development of the ancient clan which has been relegated by the previous governments.

According to him “our people have suffered undue hardship which they can no longer cope with. Our roads are death traps. Our Youth’s are still unemployed. There’s no government business activity located in Ogwa to generate income for the people. Our schools are in deplorable conditions to an extent that most communities personally engage private teachers and task parents to foot their monthly stipend. We need economic empowerment” he revealed.

While reaffirming the Forum resolve to support and cooperate with the state government, the Chairman further appealed to the Commissioner to assist the Forum in their efforts to see and interface with the Governor so as to table their needs and solicit his support noting that if the administration’s 3R mantra if properly pursued will certainly bring succour to the people.