Chief Sampson Ojibule Agbaru the former President General of the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide has formally handed over the mantle of leadership to the newly elected President General of the organization, Professor Augustine Onyeozu from Elele group branch of the organization.
Professor Onyeozu a lecturer in the Department of Sociology in the University of Port Harcourt was nominated and presented to Ogbakor Ikwerre as a consensus candidate by the Elele group branch of Ogbakor Ikwerre and was unanimously accepted by the organization.
The election and inauguration ceremony took place at the Obiri Ikwerre, East-West Road, Alakahia in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The organization has also elected and sworn in representatives from each of the Ogbakor Ikwerre branches.
Performing the swearing in ceremony, the chairman of the electoral committee Chief Barr. Orabule Adele Jp the Ochi Ohna Ikwerre VII and former president General of the Organization who recalled that the organization came into being as far back as late 50s, a decade before the Nigeria Independent and became more effective in 1963.
He enumerated the sons of Ikwerre who have piloted the affairs of the organization as the Ochi Ohna which was later changed to President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide.
Chief Adele who noted that the organization is not a political body said that it has branches within and across the nation, stressing that when the organization was formed its intention was to ensure unity among Ikwerres, maintain principles like gratitude, honesty, amongst others.
He further disclosed that each past President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre has left legacies and charged the newly inaugurated exco to leave legacies at the end of their tenure, as well as work as a team to move the organization forward.
In his speech the Rivers State government, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while commending the Ogbakor Ikwerre members for the peaceful conduct of the election, and expressed gratitude on the manner in which members obeyed by the rules and regulations of the organization.
Governor Amaechi who was represented by Chief Tony Okocha the Chief of Staff Government House who noted that Ogbakor Ikwerre is not a political organization charged members to work towards the development of the organization and hold the present administration responsible in whatever it does.
He congratulated the newly inaugurated executive and wish them goodluck in their new assignment.
In his speech the former President General, Chief Agbaru Jp while thanking the chairman of the electoral committee and other members for the election and inauguration pledged his cooperation and support for the new executive to enable them succeed.
The former secretary to the Rivers State Government while congratulating the new executive, urged members of the organization to give the new exco all the necessary support to enable them succeed in their new assignment.
In his acceptance speech the new president general of the organization, Professor Augustine M. Onyeozu who expressed his profound gratitude to members of the organization for given him and his colleagues the opportunity to serve said he also appreciated the wisdom of the Ogbakor Ikwerre elders who made relative efforts to create a level playing ground for all, for peace to reign during the elections and lauded the electoral committee chairman and members for the peaceful conduct of the election.
Prof. Onyeozu who revealed that his prayers were to know what he can do for Ikwerre people said “If my election today is an answered prayer how can I joke with your mandate”.
According to him, our action plan will be to see what is on ground first and tackle them as appropriate, then we will be in position to chart a new direction based on the dictate of new challenges”.
Prof. Onyeozu who said he welcomes all suggestions and support from well Ikwerre citizens to move the organization forward, commended Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for creating a conducive environment in the state.
Dignitaries who grace the occasion included Prince Timothy Nsirim, chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Elder Chidi Wehioka chairman, Rivers State Road Maintenance Agency, Dr. Hillary Wordu, Rector Rivers State College of Arts and Science, amongst others. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
