…Issues red card to land grabbers, speculators
From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
A new wind of change for good is blowing in Ogwuari community, Nsugbe, Anambra East local government area following the successful election of a new set of executives to pilot the affairs of the community.
It was like a carnival of sorts as excited men and youths of the seven kindred that make up Ogwuari village, Nsugbe came out in their numbers to choose who will lead them.
The election came about following the expiration of the tenure of Okey Dibua led executive and was conducted through Option A4 at the village square.
It was a true test of popularity as voters queued behind the preferred candidates. At the end of the exercise, Pastor Lawrence Achuwa Ifejika carried the day as he was elected unopposed with a total vote of 90 votes.
Jubilation rented the air when he was announced winner as the excited crowd carried him shoulder high and taken round the community to the to the admiration of all .
Others elected into various offices were Mr Osita Obalum as Vice Chairman, Pastor Nnamdi Okoye as Financial Secretary, Tochukwu Nwaegbo as secretary and Uchenna Mbamali as Assistant Secretary, Chukwunonso Okafor was elected the Treasurer, Ellias Obiagwu as Public Relations Officer and Ifeanyi Obiekwe as Provost.
In an acceptance speech, the new National Chairman of Ogwuari Village Nsugbe, Pastor Ifejika, promised that they will rewrite the story of the village by sending seven of its youths from each of the kindreds abroad, modernize Oye-Market Abata, Nsugbe and address the issues of Udoka Estate Abata, Nsugbe.
He said they will also tackle those who sell communal lands as they will invite the government to look into the case.
Speaking after the election, the eldest man of the village represented by Obi Patrick Agbata said the election is a welcome development as they needed a breath of fresh air in the community which will help to restoring peace, brotherliness and oneness.
He harped on the need for youths to stop selling communal lands which only cause disharmony and conflicts.
On his part, another elder in the village, Akunne Udefi described the success of the election as a collective struggle. He said they trust in God to repair Ogwuari community noting that nations grow by dialogue and ideas. He urged the newly elected leaders to always seek wise counsel. .
On his part, Mr Emmanuel Odigbo cautioned against division and advancing selfish interests, pointing out that dialogue, forgiveness and understanding are the attributes that will make them stand strong and achieve their mandate.
The out gone Chairman of the Village, Mr Okay Dibua lamented that the village has lost valuable things to land grabbers and others who are using their high positions to intimidate others, advising the Pastor Ifejika-led administration to fight tooth and nail to ensure they recover all they lost and continue from where he stopped.
The newly elected vice chairman, Osita Obalim said the youths of Ogwuari will smile noting that their common wealth will no longer vanish while they shall also work with utmost dedication to duties.
The new administration will pilot the affairs of the village for the next four years.