End of 2024: Igbos celebrate past leaders in Taraba
OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS JALINGO.
The leading Council of the Igbo Welfare Association (IWA) in Taraba State Northeast Nigeria has said that the labours of their past leaders must not be in vain.
Mr Chinedu Agu
To complement the efforts of their past President Generals (PGs) who piloted the affairs of the association from inception to the immediate past administration that handed over to him, the current PG, Mr. Chinedu Agwu said the past leaders must be honoured.
Those who led IWA from 2002 – 2024 before Agwu took over were honoured with their personal enlarged photographs in recognition of their selfless services to humanity.
Emeka Okonkwo JP
Agwu, our Correspondent gathered initiated this merit award during the association’s month of October, 2024 general meeting when he honoured two pioneer PGs Mr. Sylvester Madu who led from 2002 – 2005 and Mr. Nathaniel Maduka (2005 – 2008).
This show of love and reward for good work didn’t only excite but motivated some spirited but philanthropic minded individuals who said the other PGs must benefit from the gesture.
Mazi Kenneth Obasi Nwokocha
Chief John Oko Amadi
Sponsorship of the merit awards for Chief John Oko Amadi who served two tenures (2008 – 2011)(2017 – 2021), Emeka Okoronkwo (2011 – 2014) and Bennett Obasi Nwokocha (2014 – 2017) commenced in earnest. The event took place on Sunday at Concord Hotel, ATC Jalingo.
Speaking exclusively with our Correspondent in an interview shortly, the incumbent PG Chinedu Agwu said, the leading Council of IWA gathered to celebrate the end of 2024 general meeting. “We are thanking God for bringing us safely to the end of IWA meeting for the year, 2024”
Chief John Oko Amadi
He added that the association also honoured their past PGs with meritorious awards saying, ‘they kept the flag of IWA flying till date’.
Agwu also told our Correspondent that during the ceremony, a mini launching but free-will donation was organized where members donated willingly to fast-track the association’s town hall building project which foundation was laid on Saturday, 30th December, 2024.
According to him, the land was purchased in 2008 specifically for the building project of IWA town hall meeting but has remained bushy over the years.
Mazi Bennett Obasi Nwokocha
“Since we’ve laid the foundation, by this time next year, we shall complete the project”. “We have really broken the jinx and work has commenced on the land”, he assured.
In their separate remarks, the recipients Chief John Oko Amadi, Emeka Okoronkwo and Bennett Obasi Nwokocha all appreciated God for His grace, PG Agwu, for his wisdom to honour past leaders and the volunteers who supported the PG to honour them.
While wishing all members a happy Christmas and prosperous new year in advance, the recipients called on the entire members of IWA from various LGAs to always be law abiding to the State Government and mist importantly,
give support to IWA executives, Jalingo Local government council, Taraba State Government and the federal republic of Nigeria to succeed.
