By Polycarp Onwubiko
The traditional ruler of Umueri, HRH Igwe Beneath Izuchukwu Emeka has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the renovation going on in the Umueri general hospital.
Igwe Emeka who was celebrating 2023 (7th) Iwaji ceremony at his specious palace in Umueri, Anambra East local government council area, Anambra state, also made a passionate appeal to the Governor to extend the facilities of Odumegwu Ojukwu university teaching hospital, Amaku, Awka to Umueri by considering to establish school of nursing in the general hospital which has expansive premises to accommodate such hospital educational institution.
In his welcome address, Igwe Emeka commended his subjects and called for more developmental efforts to upgrade the living standard of the community to support the effort of the state and local government council.
He said: “We have created a roadmap for sustainable development. Our strategy places premium on the pursuit of peace, unity, and good neighbourhood.
“We are ready and braced up for journey towards repositioning our dear Community within the prevailing reality of today’s Nigeria and the world”.
The traditional ruler with the”Midas Touch”, as it were, further appealed to Soludo to re-start the stalled road project to the Umueri international cargo and passenger airport built by Governor Dr. Willie Obiano. He further appealed to the financially well-off indigenes of Umueri to up the ante on community development efforts to enhance the collective aspiration of the people to reduce the hard economic situation in the country.
The highlights of the Iwaji ceremony was heralded with church ceremony and conferment of traditional title to eminent Anambra personages namely: Prof. Emmanuel Onwubuya, who hails from Abagana, and a cardiologist at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University teaching hospital, Nnewi; the Nollywood prominent actor, Chief Dr Pete Edochie, and a business mogul from Dunukofia community, Chief Vincent Udobi.
Present at the glamourous occasion were traditional rulers namely HRH Igwe R N Ilo, Use Nise, Igwe Ifite dunu, former transition chairman of Njikoka local government council, Chief George Ozo, Barrister Basil Okeke, secretary general, Aguleri town union, Hon Commissioner for environment Dr. Felix Odimegwu, that of Women and social development, Mrs Ify Obinabo, Public utility, Hon Barrister Okom , Clem Onyekwelu.
Women dance groups, Ijele masquerade