By Patrick Ochei
The atmospheric mood in Issele-Uku on Saturday 21st December, 2024, was one of unrestrained exhibition of joy as Issele-Uku Association of North America (IUANA) officially handed over the 160 solar powered street lights whose installation project had been completed to Issele-Uku community in a ceremony presided over by His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Nduka JP (MNSE) at the Issele-Uku Royal Palace.
Obi Nduka in responding to the kind gestures of the Association on behalf of Issele-Uku people, said that the community was happy and had received the gift of the light with open heart and joy.
He commended the group and prayed that God Almighty and the Ancestors would continue to guide, protect and replenish their blessings so that they would always remember to contribute their quota towards the astronomic development of Issele-Uku.
According to him, “We have received your message from the entire members of your Association in America. You must convey back to them our joy and acceptance of their kind gestures.
“The areas you have covered in Issele-Uku with this project is monumental. And like you have promised that it is an ongoing development effort, we look forward to seeing the uncovered areas also benefit from this gesture.
“I must say that indeed, development has come into Issele-Uku. We now have a city we can truly be proud of in all sense of it. It is said that when light comes, darkness gives way. This project will help us to minimize crime and open up the space for positive social activities. It’s our gain too, because light helps to aid economic and commercial viability of any place.
“Our people must know that no project is easy, whether with government or individual. We are all glad that a group of our children in the Diaspora was able to initiate and execute such a people oriented project and it is worthy of commendation.
“We are indeed gathered here today on behalf of Issele-Uku Association of North America for the official handover of their self funded project to us. They came to tell us that they were done with the project and hopefully would commence a second phase of it later in 2025. We are happy, for this will boost our commercial activities and stop the nefarious activities of criminals from increasing.
“There are many benefits of this project that we can’t just highlight here. We accept the project and pray for God’s continual progress on the community. I therefore call on all our people at home and abroad to remember where they came from. The progress of our town is in our hands. We need to build a better and more prosperous Issele-Uku. So, my call on the people not associating with Issele-Uku Development Union and other Associations is simple – there are innumerable benefits of joining your kinsmen to reason like brothers and sisters. It gives you the opportunity to socialize and contribute your quota to community development”, Obi Nduka posited.
Joining Obi Nduka in commending the IUANA group were the Iyase of Issele-Uku, Chief Innocent Ashiedu, the Okwalegwe of Issele-Uku, Chief (Dr) John Ochei, the Ozoma of Issele-Uku, Chief Peter Oduh, Diokpa Uche Anene and Diokpa Onyema Ashibuogwu.
They vehemently recognized the community effort of IUANA and appreciated them for helping Issele-Uku to see light in another dimension while also praying God to reward them massively in all their endeavours.
Earlier, both the IUANA National President, Mr. Victor Banor and IUANA PRO, Mr. Emeka Ijei spoke at various levels of the project including their resolve to see to its fruitful execution.
They commended Issele-Uku people for their support and cooperation while the project lasted, thereby promising to come back on or before March for another phase of project.
Equally, they recognized the effort of their members across the five IUANA chapters in America – New England, Houston, Carolina, Atlanta and Washington Metro (DMV) for their massive support to the development of the home front and unalloyed loyalty to Issele-Uku monarch.
