By Onyeananam Edmund-Victor
The interim President general of Owere communities Assembly, OCA, Hon Dr Sir. Christian Oweaya Anukam, Agbawo Dike Izu Owere over the weekend, held a crucial meeting with an enlarged executive council of presidents and secretaries of age grades to fastrack the grand finale of Oru Owere festival.
According to information made available to newsmen, prior to the meeting, the entire citizens of Owerri Nchi Ise has unanimously agreed to hold the grand finale of Oru Owere.
Briefing newsmen immediately after the event, Chief Oweaya stated that the executives of Owere communities assembly agreed to call for a crucial meeting with the age grades after disbursing the sum of four million naira (4 million) to take care of this year’s Oru Owere celebration, adding that about 76 age grades’ chairman and secretaries attended the meeting, 65 age grades according to him, have already received theirs amidst old recipients amounting to 76, as the rest of them are expected to receive theirs after holidays, adding “ abinito, I urged the secretaries and chairmen to organize the grand finale, which they agreed that I should continue with the preparation”
Chief Oweaya also disclosed that the 13th June 2018 meeting of the Owere communities Assembly witnessed a consensus agreement to flag- off the grand finale of Oru Owere (Ihu Ji) proper on the 6 July 2018, adding that the grand finale is purely an age grade affair.
Speaking further, Chief Oweaya said, “We will continue to give our support financially. We are not doing this for any politician or any traditional ruler, it is our tradition. The grand finale is under the jurisdiction of the age grades, while the Oru Owere proper is under the dictate of Oha Owerri. We are urging the age grades to go and organize the Oru Owere celebration. My people have proved that I have been tested and trusted”
Chief Oweaya however said that power is taken and not given, that it must be legitimate while calling on leaders of various age grades to select a credible leader who is fit to take up the mantle of leadership in Owere communities assembly, sequel to the expiration of his 8 years as elected PG (2004- 2012) and 2 years as interim president general, saying “during the meeting, I told the chairmen and secretaries of the various age grades to present a credibly elected leader. If they do not elect a leader 2 months after the Oru Owere celebration. I and my executives will voluntarily resign. I have led OCA for 8 years and an additional 2 years as interim PG, as against the statutory 2 year tenure. All workers microfinance Bank is solidly behind our communities, they are supporting the celebration because they are our tenant. In line with recent decision, urging me to go ahead with the preparation, I will be working with selected presidents and secretaries of age grades for success to be achieved”
Other members of OCA present at the meeting include: the secretary General, OCA, Sir Ferdinand Emeana, Mr Arthur Ijegbula, Engr. Eric Njoku, Osita Odimara (Isikpakpa) former youth leader, Chief Anthony Eziefula, Mr Nelson Oparogu, Mr Samson Osuji, Mr Demian Nze and Mr Charles Anokwuru.
