By Innocent Osuoha
A pan Owerri Zone Socio-cultural Organization, OLU OWERRI, has elected a new executive to man its affairs till 2023 after a well organized election which had Security agents and the media as observers.
The election which was almost a replica of option A4 featured the body’s delegates from other branches such as Lagos, Aba, Port Harcourt and Abuja who had converged on Owerri for the election.
At the end of the day, Chief Martin Opara(Ikemba 1 of Logara Ngor Okpala) was unanimously elected the National President-General while Professor Charles Ugwuegbulem clinched the post of Deputy National President-General.
Barrister Sylvester Nwogu was elected the National Secretary with Hon Chinasa Nwaete as his Assistant. Hon Mrs Amarachi Ogbonna got the post of National Woman Leader just as Engineer Samuel Nwokeocha is the National Youth Leader.
The post of Assistant National Youth Leader went to Comrade Ndudi Opara. Comrade Kalu David Opara got the post of Treasurer. Associate Professor Anthony Nkwocha is the new Financial Secretary, Barristers Canice Madukaji and Kelechi Obinna Ahamba were elected Legal Advisers one and two.
Mr Peter Ihejirika and Mr Victor Chibuzo Ekenze were elected National Assistant Publicity Secretary and National Assistant Organizing Secretary respectively. The post of National Organizing Secretary went to Chief Mrs Ogechi Agbaoso. Engineer Candidus Achonwa and Mr Nokey Ebikam are National Ex-Officios.
The post for National Coordinator (Special Citizens) went to Chief Ejike Ekemaonye while ten other posts will be filled later.
In his acceptance speech, the National President-General of OLU OWERRI, Chief Martin Opara thanked the electorate for giving them the opportunity to serve and assured they will consolidate on the good programs of the out gone administration part of which is ensuring an Owerri man occupied his pride of place in Imo state.
He regretted that Owerri Zone has nothing to show for all it has put in for the wellbeing of Imo State and vowed that OLU OWERRI will ensure an Owerri man occupies the Douglas House in no distant time.
Also speaking, the BoT Chairman of OLU OWERRI, Deacon Kevin Ihebom said although the body is a registered and law abiding organization, it will not fold hands and watch its legitimate rights denied it. One of the legal Advisers Barrister Kelechi Ahamba assured the body will operate within the arm bits of law while pursuing its objectives.
Others speakers commended the Electoral Committee Chairman Mr Eddy Anyanwu and his Secretary Sir Sampson Ogbos as well as others for an election well conducted.
