Oforola Autonomous Community,( Ancient Kingdom) Owerri West Local Govenment Area of Imo State, has held their Town Union Election to chose Executive Members of Oforola Development Union(ODU) for the next four years.
The election held at the premises of Oforola Women Hall, started with verification of all the accredited delegates in an orderly man in the presence observers, security agencies and other government officials.
In his opening speech, the Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr Gideon Onyemechara, described ODU Election as the first of it's kind due to high level of transparency that characterised the process, it's uniqueness and reputable character of the organisers, as every village was duly represented.
He called for selfless service and cautioned against any act of sabotage or mischievous moves to distablise the community , stating that anyone who wants to ridicule the election or Oforola will end up destroying himself.
The process started by verification of accredited delegates from groups and all the villages, this included delegates from Oforola Development Union, (ODU) Eze In Council Delegates,
Oforola Council of Elders,Titled Chiefs, followed by the delegates from all the villages in the Community .
Speaking during an interview, the newly elected President General of Oforola Community, Engr.Uchenna Bruno Chikezie, assured of his capacity to proffer solution to numerous challenges facing Oforola Community.
His words; "Is a big honour and privilege to serve my people , I will do that with all my ability, I will draw inspiration from past leaders who have gone ahead of me, certainly, I will overcome about 90 percent of all the challenges.
Oforola Community
has been backward with absence of lot of vital things, but I am not perturbed about the challenges ahead, I only ask God for strenght, wisdom and understanding to shoulder the responsibility.
One thing is to identify a problem, another thing is to solve it, I will sit down to fish out the challenges facing Oforola and figure out a practical means to solve
the problems.
Oforola is below average in terms of development when compared to all the communities surrounding it, before the end of my tenure , I will give Oforola a facelift and ensure that it gets to an enviable height, people will see and said yes this man has truly done something great.
I will be patriotic
and carry everybody along for the betterment of Oforola, this will include the youth, the women, affiliate bodies like the Oforola Development Union Abuja, Lagos , Etc.
Whenever I go wrong do not hesitate to draw my attention, am open to constructive criticism, no body is an encyclopedia of knowledge".
The Traditional Ruler of Oforola, His Royal Majesty, Eze Kingsley Ajoku , scored the process high, credible free and fair, noting that the caliber of men elected to pilot the affairs of Oforola are men of proven integrity.
His words; "to
whom much is given much is expected, all of you should follow the path of tolerance, peace, progress, make meaningful contributions and be your brother's keeper,
What is what doing is what doing well, the community with me as your king must move forward with peace, unity, and productive result.
There is no substitute for unity and uprightness, what we have done here is rooted in transparency , we are here to set the standard with unparalleled transparency, this is the first of it's kind, few months ago, we converged here and conducted Youth Election, today we have organised another successful election, you can see the presence of security agencies, police DSS, our honourable councillor is here, we are open and straight no hide and seek game.
Whatsoever you will do for the betterment of Oforola, please don't hesitate to do it with all your heart, consider equity, justice and fairness in your actions and inactions, leave a make quality service delivery a path of your leadership activities and strive to leave legacy you will remender with, above all, do not neglect patriotism, always think of what you will do to give Oforola a face lift and not what Oforola will do for you.
Leadership is all about meaningful productivity and lasting impact, not meaningless activity that does not yield any result. Go for positivity through your actions and inactions"
The Traditional Ruler who noted that a community or an association with all forms of malice, bitterness anger , negativity does not move forward, seized the opportunity to call for unity of purpose among the newly elected Executive members of ODU, stating that positivity is the only way of life.
In the words of Hon.Uche Ezekwe the President General Ola Ukwu Autonomous Community as well as the President General of all President Generals in Owerri West LGA, "is a highly competitive polls, am glad it came and gone ,very peaceful, well coordinated, at the end of the day a winners emerged without fracas, these are intelligent people with character, I welcome them on board".
Chief Cyril Ohuruogu Osuji, a patriotic indigene of the community and a member of the Eze In Council who was actively and supportively on ground to witness the verification of delegates and ensure progress of the polls rated it high, stating that the level of transparency is second to none. He gave kudos to Eze Kingsley Ajoku for his sincerity of purpose and pace setter records in community leadership
A member of the Electorial Committe Chief Geoffrey Ogbonna( Oha huru Agu) expressed satisfaction with the process as everything was done transparently.
Winners that emerged and their positions were; President General, Engr. Uchenna Bruno Chikezie, Charles Unanwa Vice President General, Ebere Iyama, Secretary General. Leonard Nwachukwu; Financial Secretary and Chiedozie Ejimofor; Treasurer.
Eze in Council Cabinet delegates that voted included; Chief Cyril Osuji, Chief Godwin Ugwuegbulam, Chief Godwin Amadi, Chief Cyril Ezekwe and Chief George Eboh.
Oforola Ancient Kingdom Title Delegates who voted were; Ichie Lawrence Ekeigwe, Chief Robinson Nwankwo, Chief Anthony Amadi, Chief Hope Amarachi, Chief Onuwa Aguguo, while Oforola Council of Elders that voted were; Elder Jackson Uzoma, Elder Christian Amaeshi, Elder Samuel Ogbonna, Elder Godwin Ogbonna and Elder Samson Opara. The five villages of Oforola Amaku, Amoji, Umueke, Umuezuruoke and Umuagubiam, where fully represented by their collectively chosen delegates, there were also ODU Delegates that voted in the election.
It was witnessed by the Councillor for Avu-Oforola Ward, popularly known as Akwa Ngwo, Youth Leader of Oforola and OlaUkwu Autonomous Communities, Arch. Egejuru Ben and Engr. Joseph Ohuruogu, security operatives and other observers who were pleased with the transparent and peaceful process.
