Hon Emeka Atuma |
The people of Ikwueke - at home and in diaspora - comprising the communities of Ahuwa, Amangwo, Ntalakwu and Umueziukwu are currently in a frenzied mood as they plan a curtain-raising party for one of their sons, Hon Emeka Atuma, aka Kabila.
Indeed, come Dec 26, 2021, at Ntalakwu Primary School Field by 11am prompt, Chief Emeka Atuma, Mmiri na Ama Nkume 1 of Oboro would receive a BIG THANK YOU from his people!
The party to celebrate and honour Hon Atuma promises to be epochal, and is set to lay the foundation for honouring other sons and daughters of Ikwueke who followed the footsteps of Hon Atuma.
Yes, Atuma has become a trend setter of sorts. And he is being honoured not just for attracting a road project to his community. Ikwueke, nay Ikwuano appears forgotten in the scheme of affairs in the State. Thus Kabila is being celebrated by his kinsmen who submit to their own wise saying: 'Emezie onye akidi, ya gwota ozo!
Like they say in Pidgin English, it began like play, like play when Esv.Festus Chidozie Egbulefu, aka "Don Spice" commenting on the Ikwueke Elites WhatsApp group drew the attention of Ndi Ikwueke to the brand new 'nylon' tar road from Ntalakwu-Amangwo-Ndoru facilitated by Hon Atuma and constructed by the NDDC.
Showing pictures of the road gleaming like a snake which just shed it's skin, Esv Egbulefu, President-General of Amangwo Community Development Association, threw a poser: 'Ndi Ikwueke, what shall we do to whoever did this for us?' He literally let loose a flood of prayers, praises and appreciation for the former lawmaker who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2003-2007.
The Eze of Ajata-na-Igu Autonomous Community, HRM King Larry Agwu carried the day with his comment to the effect that "..all lkwueke people should come out in our numbers to visit Hon Emeka Atuma and thank him for this good job he has done for us and the ones he is planning to do for us... what l have seen and the places l have gone to in Abia state, Ndioru-Ikwueke road is the best in Abia State today, so all of us from lkwueke must join hands to make sure that we choose a day in this Christmas season to visit him and thank Almighty God for giving us Hon Emeka Atuma who don't want to see us crying. ln lkwuano today, it is only this road and other ones Hon Emeka Atuma is doing is the only good road you can talk of, so Mr PG, kindly contact other PGs to do everything possible to inform our people to make sure everyone of us should come home and join us to visit Hon Atuma and thank him for the one he has completed"
The suggestion struck a chord in Egbulefu, this was on Nov 28, and like the captain of a ship set to reach his destination no matter the cost, the amiable PG has not rested on his oar since then: A Planning Committee comprising leaders of Ikwueke was immediately set up chaired by Emeka Rex Onuoha, aka Piccolo, with just 22 days to deliver on the event fixed for December 26.
Today, Dec 23, as the people began a 60 hours count down to the D-Day, one can see at work: Inspired leadership exemplified by Esv Egbulefu who first drew attention to the changing face of the community, even as he consistently began rallying and mobilising the people to the task of showing appreciation to those who put their community first. Doggedness as exhibited by Emeka Onuoha who was not daunted either by paucity of time and fear of the unknown. He swung into action immediately he was announced as committee chairman.
How did Ndi Ikwueke respond? Their response was total, unanimous aye: Yes, we can, let's do it! They never gave lame excuses: Short notice. Times are hard...etc, etc. In days, all the needed resources: cash and material were speedily mobilised, and are still being mobilised.
It is all coming together in the saying that the people deserve the kind of leadership they get. Ikwueke, nay Ikwuano LGA has been relegated to the backwaters by the powers that be in Abia. And Atuma, though out from the corridors of power since 2007 has refused to join the oppressors of his people. After the road was constructed in 2007, he has taken steps to keep it in a state of constant renewal... Besides, more are coming like King Larry prophesied: The Amangwo-Ogbuebuelle road is currently being constructed.
What is the real significance of Emeka Atuma's gesture? It becomes clearer if one realizes that around the four corners of Ikwuano are littered with abandoned or shoddily executed Federal or State capital projects. It becomes clearer if one recalls there are politicians elected to offices for a record 12 years, yet today, there is not even a block standing as a testimonial that they ever came so near to power and influence! Such being the case, one must concur with Esv Egbulefu that: " We should henceforth start appreciating our sons/daughters that selflessly bring in durable, genuine, noticeable, verifiable developmental projects into our community".
" We still have a lot to be done in Ikwueke to make ours DUBAI OF ABIA STATE", he affirmed.
All said and done, what secret formula was woven into the script?
Chairman of the Planning Committee proffers thus: "We were going to ask why should we stop at saying 'mberedi nyiri dike', when we know that 'Mberede ka eji ama dike'
"Then we recalled that this is Ikwueke. The great Ikwueke! Nothing has ever been difficult for these people. Nothing. "Remember, we got electric power supply by the efforts of an individual! Remember that a secondary school came - (Ntalakwu) - through an individual! Remember, remember!
Nothing has ever been difficult and nothing shall be, because God is always with us"!
on DECEMBER 26,2021We expect ndi Ikwueke home and abroad to converge on this date and make it a memorable day in the land of Ikwueke to the glory of God.
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