University don emerges town union president in Ebonyi community

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

The People of Eka-Awoke autonomous community,Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi state has elected a university Don,Dr Collins Irem as the national president. Consequently, the name of the development union was changed from Eka-Awoke development union(EDU) to Eka-Awoke Community development where he's to run the affairs of the area for the next four years.

Associate professor Celestine Afiukwa equally emerged vice president. Announcing the result,the electoral committee chairman,Mr Raymond Obassey declared winner, Dr Irem who polled 146 votes and was returned unopposed. Also elected are, Mr Obinna Nweke,secretary,Pastor Vincent Ugo,treasurer,Barr.Philip Oshine,legal Adviser,Mr Igboji Sunday,financial secretary,and Mr Odah Romanus,internal Auditoramong others. Addressing the newly elected executives, the chairman Ikwo local government area, Sunday Nwankwo urged the officers to give peace a top priority by working for the unity and progress of the community and Ikwo people in general. The chairman who was represented on the ocassion by the former Council chairman , Chief Daniel Ogiji eulogized the councillor representing Eka-Awoke ward, Hon.Clifford Igboji for bringing the people together to enact a working constitution that led to the conduct of election. Chief Ogiji urged the elected executives to work with unity of purpose to achieve the desired result, but, however, regretted a situation where the stakeholders of Eka-Awoke community were not carried along to at least recommend any deserving member of the community for government appointment especially as coordinator,Ndufu Ikwo Development centre. The Special Assistant to the governor on Internal Security, Ikwo local government area,Hon.Edeke Desmond(Fish),thanked the people for their peaceful disposition and described the election as the most peaceful election he had ever witnessed in the area. He called on the new executives to ensure that,the security of lives and property in the community are well guaranteed. Also, Chief Lawrence Nweke, Chief of Staff to Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly in his remarks charged the new executives to carry every body along in the area of decision making process to move the community forward. He stressed that no individual or executive would ever be allowed to destroy the good image of the community which is known for peace, describing Eka-Awoke as the most peaceful community in Ikwo local government area. The councillor, Eka-Awoke Ward, Hon.Clifford Igboji,while expressing joy over the peaceful conduct of the election,thanked stakeholders for their supports,and urged the elected executives to work in accordance with the new constitution. Others who spoke during the event include, chief Ugbo Nwesuzor, chief Steven Igwe, Elder Alex Okuku, MrJames Nwanchor and Mr Anthony Igwe,all commended the councillor,Eka-Awoke ward and the stakeholders for rewriting the history of the area. In acceptance speech, the national President,Dr Irem thanked the people for the opportunity given to them to serve, assuring that they would never fail the community as everybody would be carried along. The new Executives were sworn in by the national vice President of Ikwo Development Union (IDU),chief Oliver Eze,who represented the national President of Ikwo Development union(IDU),Dr Sam Nte Egwu.