The member representing Okigwe South Federal Constituency, comprising Obowo, Ihitte-Uboma and Ehime Mbano Council Areas in the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja and two term parliamentarian, Hon Deacon Chike John Okafor had penultimate Monday, 10th February 2020 led a high powered delegation of Okigwe South Leaders, drawn from the broad spectrum of the society including political elites, traditional rulers, top civil servants, community leaders, business moguls and others to pay a solidarity/courtesy visit to one of their own and the newly inaugurated secretary to the Imo State Government, Sir Cosmos Iwu at his Government House Annex Office, Cabinet Office Owerri.
Speaking earlier during the solidarity visit, the leader of the delegation and two term Member of the House of Representatives Abuja, Hon. Deacon Chike Okafor informed their host, Sir Cosmos Iwu that his brothers from Okigwe South deemed it pertinent and compelling to visit him, to congratulate him on his meritorious appointment as the Secretary to the State Governor, a position he deserves because of his sterling leadership qualities and visible contributions to the electoral success of Governor Hope Uzodinma in 2019 gubernatorial elections in the state which the Apex Court revalidated recently through its January 14th, landmark judgment.
He observed that the new Secretary to the State Government is familiar with the terrain having successfully served in the past in the same portfolio, adding that Sir Iwu was poised to bring his wealth of experience, exposure and intellect to bear on the new assignment and wished him a successful tenure of office on behalf of the good people of the Federal Constituency.
Deacon Okafor assured the Secretary to the State Government of their maximum support and co-operation and reiterated the solidarity and unflinching loyalty of his constituents to Senator Hope Uzodinma led government.
The Senior Bank Manager turned politician and crown Prince of Umuokeh Obowo Kingdom went further to thank Sir Cosmos Iwu for his efforts in ensuring that the upcoming burial ceremony of late Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu received the attention of the State Government which has gracefully keyed in and adopted same as a state burial to honour one of their illustrious sons and leaders who died in active service.
He also acknowledged that the Secretary to the Government had equally used his good office to attract some money from the state government for the burial and conveyed his appreciations and that of the good people of Okigwe South for such gesture and show of benevolence.
Speaking further, Deacon Okafor enjoined the new Secretary to the government to sustain the tempo of his magnanimity by deploying the platform of his good office to carry his people along, especially in the areas of attracting political appointments, human capital and infrastructural development of Okigwe South.
He revealed that Okigwe South was enormously endowed with abundant human resources, men and women with potentials to contribute in any sector of the state’s development and urged him to help in harnessing such potentials.
Deacon Chike Okafor stressed that no amount of propaganda will deter them from mobilizing and galvanizing support for such a worthy brother like Sir Cosmos Iwu and a people oriented government like the Uzodinma led administration and expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodinma for finding one of their own worthy to serve in such strategic position as the Secretary to the State Government. He therefore called on Sir Iwu to convey their goodwill message and appreciation to the Governor, promising that after the burial of Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, the people of Okigwe South will come back to him and the Governor to thank them for what they have done for Okigwe South and requested him to arrange in advance for a solidarity and thank you visit to Governor Hope Uzodinma.
In his contribution, the Member Representing Ehime Mbano in the Imo State House of Assembly,………eulogized the newly inaugurated Secretary to the State Government, Sir Cosmos Iwu for being a benevolent leader through whom God made him a House of Assembly Member. He corroborated the earlier submission of Deacon Chike Okafor that they resolved under Deacon Chike’s leadership to pay a solidarity visit to Sir Iwu to congratulate him on his meritorious appointment and as well thank the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma for appointing their illustrious son in such strategic position.
He observed that Sir Iwu has not come to learn the job, having served in such capacity in the past, but has come to use the good office to add value to the state and reassured the Secretary to the government that the people of Okigwe Federal Constituency were united their support for him succeed and urged him to carry his people along.
Speaking further, a prominent political leader in Obowo and one time Hon Commissioner for Agriculture in Imo State, Chief Longers Anyanwu expressed satisfaction with good leadership qualities of Sir Iwu and praised him for his magnanimity and show of maturity at all times. He reiterated that the leaders of the Federal Constituency led by Deacon Chike Okafor visited him to show solidarity to him, and equally pledge their support for Governor Uzodinma led prosperity driven government. Chief Longers enjoined the people of Okigwe South to always support their own and avoid pull him down that has negated the progress of the area.
Chief Anyanwu is popularly called Ebubedike Obowo encouraged the Secretary to the government to utilize the new opportunity provide through the new appointment to prove his mettle and capacity to deliver the goods.
Several other speakers which include; Barrister Ifeanyi Agwu, Former Member of House of Assembly that represented Ehime Mbano, Rtd Deputy Commissioner of Police Francis Ihechere, Sir George Eguh, former State Secretary of PDP Imo State, Hon Emma Bukar Iwuanynawu, former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon Mrs Uche Ejiogu, Former Member of Imo State House of Assembly that represented Ihitte-Uboma, Traditional Rulers and other category of leaders that made their contributions expressed appreciation to Governor Hope Uzodinma for appointing one of their illustrious sons and reaffirmed his support for Sir Iwu to succeed and also registered their unflinching loyalty and support for Governor Uzodinma led government.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Collins Chiji, a prominent son of Okigwe Zone who joined the delegation in solidarity for the Secretary to the state government, Sir Cosmos Iwu thanked the people of Okigwe South for such show of solidarity and love for one of their own. He observed that God has shown much love to Okigwe zone under the present administration, hence the two most strategic positions in the present government, Secretary to the government in the Executive and Speaker of the State legislature in the law making arm respectively are all ceded to Okigwe zone, and occupied by their trusted sons.
He revealed that he is working together with Sir Iwu and promised to do more to make the new government succeed through the much needed cooperation of the legislative arm of the Governor under his leadership. Rt. Hon. Chiji suggested that subsequent delegation to the Governor should draw its attendees from the entire Okigwe zone so that the Governor will appreciate the level of unity, love as well as support and solidarity that have been galvanized for him in the zone.
In his response after the leader of the delegation, Deacon Chike Okafor had allowed several speakers to exhaustively make their submissions in respect of the historic visit, the Chief Host and brand new Secretary to the state government, Sir Cosmos Iwu, expressed excited over the unprecedented and unquantifiable show of love and benevolence by the Chike Okafor led delegation, adding that he was overwhelmed and short of words to be accorded such quantum of solidarity, support by his own people which according to him has never happened before. He assured them that he will reciprocate the gesture by doing the bidding of the people in the service of the state.
Sir Iwu particularly commended the leader of the delegation and two term Federal law maker representing Okigwe South in the Federal House of Representatives, Deacon Chike Okafor for being outstandingly purposeful, resultant and constructive in the representation of the people, adding that he was so proud to be associated with such performing lawmaker. He thanked Deacon Chike for galvanizing and mobilizing such quality of personalities who congregated to pay him a solidarity visit.
Speaking further, Chief Iwu reassured his visitors that he will make good use of his present position to make things better for the people, reminding them that his action will speak louder than his voice hence he was not known for noise making. He called on the Royal Fathers, Leaders and stakeholders to always come forward with their advise at all times and equally make their contributions through constructive criticism which involves appreciating the government when need arises and pointing out mistakes and proffering solutions as the case may be.
Highlight of the August visit was the Royal blessings and prayer for the Secretary to the state government by the traditional rulers present as well as the presentation of three cows through the symbol of three cow ropes by the people of the three local government areas of Obowo, Ehime Mbano and Ihitte Uboma performed by the Chairmen of their Council Areas Council of Traditional Rulers respectively.
It was a beehive of activities and the out pour of love was exceedingly electrifying as brothers congregated to celebrate one of their own.
