Group embarks on fund drive for N25 m Civic Centre
- Lawmaker pledges support
BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia
The member representing Afikpo South in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nkemka Okoro, has assured that he would assist Nguzu Edda General Assembly (NEGA), Umuahia Branch to realize its dream of building an ultra modern Civic Centre in the Abia State capital.
The Ebonyi State lawmaker gave the assurance on Sunday during the N25 million fund raiser for the purchase of land for the project and award giving ceremony organized by NEGA, Umuahia branch at Ugba Primary School, Umuahia.
Hon. Okoro noted that the plan by the group to embark on such a gigantic project portrayed the members as progressively-minded, adding that when realized, the building would serve Edda people from all walks of life, as well as many others and pledged his financial assistance.
Chairman of the Occasion, Mr Stephen Uka, also commended NEGA, Umuahia Branch, for their foresight, promising to work with the group till the project would be realized.
While commending members of the group for conceiving the project, Mr Uka enjoined all and sundry to generously give their financial and material support for the realization of the project.
He charged the members not to be demoralized even if enough fund was not realised during the maiden fund raiser, but to be determined and push ahead with the building project until it becomes a reality.
In a brief exhortation, the Guest Speaker, Rev. Chukwuma Ogbonnaya, noted that when God gives you a vision, He also gives you vision helpers; and reminded all who graced the event that they were vision helpers.
“You are the vision helpers. If you don’t assist, this project will fail. Let us utilize this opportunity to assist NEGA so that this project will not die,” Rev. Ogbonnaya appealed.
Chairman of NEGA, Umuahia Branch, Elder Ogbonnaya Ogbuagu, while welcoming guests, said the initiative was to build a befitting edifice where the group would be holding her activities, adding that Nde Edda living in Umuahia would be given access to the Civic Centre for their programmes also.
“This Nuguzu Edda Day celebration 2022 is the first of its kind to be celebrated by Nguzu Edda indigenes resident in Umuahia. I thank God for giving us the initiative to create this historic moment. The N25 million fund raising is for purchase of land for building of an ultramodern Civic Centre in Umuahia.
“Our Nguzu Edda Day celebration 2022 is, therefore, a challenge to every Edda man and Ebonyi State in general to stand up like other Town Unions which have built their own halls in the Abia State capital. We are motivated by the feats of other town unions to go the extra mile to start off the process of building our own Town Union hall,” Ogbonnaya, popularly known as Ogbotex, said.
He said they would also strive to get a street named after Nguzu Edda in the Abia Capital Territory, Umuahia and appealed for assistance and support.
The Nguzu Edda Day celebration was equally used to celebrate illustrious sons, daughters, friends and well-wishers of the group who have contributed to the growth and development of Nguzu Edda.
Some of the awardees included Hon. Kalu Ama, a business man cum politician (honoured with the award of Aku Ruo Ulo 1 of Edda), Deacon Ibiam Ama, a great cocoa farmer bagged Ezi Enyi 1 of Nguzu Edda and Okam Okali, a business mogul who was honoured as Enyioha 1 of Nguzu Edda).
The occasion was graced by the Paramount Ruler of Edda Clan, HRH Ezeogo Ewa Orji, Eze Edda XXVI, who was represented by his son, Prince Okere Ewa Orji, among other dignitaries.
