See yourselves as one – IWA PG urges Igbos in Taraba
OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS, JALINGO.
The leadership of the Igbo Welfare Association (IWA), an umbrella body that pilots the affairs of Igbo sons and daughters in Taraba State Northeast Nigeria has celebrated the Association’s 22nd anniversary.
IWA, our Correspondent gathered came into existence in Jalingo, Taraba State capital in the year, 2002 with Mr. Sylvester Madu as its pioneer President General (PG) who led from 2002 – 2005 and was succeeded by Mr. Nathaniel Maduka who led from 2005 – 2008, Chief John Amadi Oko; 2008 – 2011.
Others were; Chukwuemeka Okoronkwo, 2011 – 2014; Mazi Bennett Obasi Nwokocha – 2014 – 2017; Chief John Amadi Oko, 2017 – 2021; Tony Ekeson, 2021 – 2024 and the present PG, Chinedu Agwu who took over from Ekeson this year, 2024 and has spent four months in office.
The ceremony marking IWA’s birthday was organized by its new officials with the support of the leading council members and was held at the Association’s Secretariat, Concord Hotel ATC, Jalingo.
The ceremony also featured special recognitions accorded on the pioneer PG, Sylvester Madu as well as his predecessor, Nathaniel Maduka including banners of a cross section of incumbent PG, Chinedu Agwu, the past President Generals including that of Chairmen of various LGAs that make up the IWA in Taraba were displayed.
During the programme also, a scholarship award initiated by the Association with the aim of assisting the children of its deceased members in fostering their education was enforced with the chairman of the Committee, Nathaniel Maduka highlighting the project’s progress report.
Possible ways of starting up IWA’s proposed hall building project was disclosed, with pledges of materials and fund made by members among other vital issues.
“Patrons from the eleven affiliate LGAs of IWA which include, Afikpo, Arochukwu, Ikeduru, Mbano, Mbaise, Okigwe, Orlu, Oru, Owerri Development, Owerri Welfare and Umuahia”.
President General (PG) Igbo Welfare Association (IWA), Taraba State chapter, Chinedu Agwu speaking exclusively with our Correspondent shortly, expressed his resolve towards uniting IWA members in the State saying they must see themselves as one.
Agwu, who was four months’ old since assumption of office as the PG of IWA in Taraba said the 22nd birthday ceremony of the great association was a thing of joy saying IWA has faced so many challenges and survived.
The PG, who said the welfare of members is the priority of his administration added, “My message is for IWA members to continue to live in unity with one another, Igbos in Taraba should see themselves as one”,
“We shouldn’t take the laws of the State for granted, we should be security conscious, shun criminality and most importantly support the policies and programmes of the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas to enable him succeed”,
“The Igbos in Taraba have acknowledged the good work Dr. Kefas is doing for the people of the State and we are also part of the beneficiaries of the democracy dividends from his administration”, he said.
The PG further highlighted more reasons that brought about the day’s event. “We are celebrating because, for an Association to attain the age of 22, seeing most of the pioneer members in good health, with membership increasing daily, it’s a thing of joy”.
“According to him, since we are answering welfare, the present executives under my leadership have pledged to put certain mechanisms in place to ensure that members’ welfare is looked into”,
“When we came in as new officials and on seeing the achievements already on ground, we asked ourselves questions on what to do to sustain the existing legacy, especially, sustaining the smiles on the faces of members?”,
Also, knowing that leadership is selflessness, we have to be innovative, think outside the box, on one skill or the other to introduce for members to help them be self-reliant”,
“I have three years to put in as President of IWA and within these period, I want to see myself uniting our members, taking care of our sick ones like today, we gave out scholarship to one of the daughters of our deceased member to help in her educational pursuit”,
“This project (Scholarship) has been an initiative of IWA through the past executives and I deem it fit and necessary to make sure that the project continues”,
“Within these period also, the proposed IWA hall project will commence and be possibly completed by the grace of God. You can see that members have already shown interest through commitment and I assure you that we will complete it”,
We have said that the efforts of the past President Generals of IWA and present Chairmen of various local governments under IWA must not be in vain hence the need to recognize them as you can see through the banner containing their photographs and displayed here at the hall of our meeting”, he added.
It was also gathered that Miss Chinasa Onyekachi, daughter of a deceased member of IWA from Amiri community of Oru LGA benefited from the scholarship award during the august occasion.
Mrs Chinyere, mother to Chinasa Onyekachi told our Correspondent that the gesture started many years ago when her daughter gained admission into her secondary school.
