The new President General, Ogidi Community, Idemili North LGA, Anambra State, Chief Ikwuka Okoye, has extended an olive branch to his co-contestants, saying they were needed to reengineer good governance.
Okoye, who emerged as new PG of the hometown of late Professor Chinua Achebe, on October 14, 2023, said his term which would last for four years would be eventful, rancour free, as well as bring peace and development of the community.
According to him, the election was organised under the watch of Anambra Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, with it head of delegation ,Mr Tony Onyekomelu , Head of Department Town Union Affairs on ground with his team to ensure safety and smooth conduct of the election.
He said he was grateful that the eligible people who participated in the election gave him 991 votes,which saw to his emergency as the newest PG of the community that was once lead by late Achebe the great writer.
Okoye said the runner up, Chief Chike Maduagwuna got 705 votes, while the third position went to Mr Collins Mendu, with 455 votes and Chief Nnaemeka Akobi scored 299 votes to emerge fourth position.
“ All these men are gallant men of Ogidi community who by all standard has what it takes to be the PG of the community but at this time God choose me through the votes of the people, I will not take the for granted , we are all winners in our customary engagement.
“ I call on them to please join me to serve and take the community higher, I ask that as egg heads they are to always bring in ideas for collective development of the community,”he said.
Okoye said that other elected executives were, Chief Chijioke Ewesiobi Okeke-Vice President, Chukwuemeka Muoenam-secretary, Chief Obinagha Kenneth-treasurer, Chief Chukwuemeka Obor-financial secretary, Achebe Ikechukwu-Public Relations Officer, Obiora Frank Chinwendu-Assistant secretary and Elochukwu Osondu-provost.
“ I pledge to work with all my brothers and officers in this capacity to ensure we provide transformational leadership to our people where collectively social economical and political ideologies will be harnessed for common good of the people,” he assured.
Ikwuka,said that as a farmer, that he will introduce cottage farming, piggery, poultry, fishery and other forms of farming in the community to encourage unemployed to get involved on farming to be financially independent.
He said that retried but not tired personnel in the community will be gathered and engaged in their social service where various types of skills would be taught the youths who are unemployed.
“We will from the community Development Fund pay the skill trainers, after the period of training the youths who has shown interest on skills like carpentry, tailoring, welding, Manson amongst others. We will give a start pack to the trainees to start their own business and urged youths are have talents in skillful arts to visit the union office,”Okoye said.
He however lamented the increased crime rate in the community especially cultism amongst youths and urged mothers to monitor the company their children keep to help them refrain from crime and criminality.
Okoye said that the team will introduce neighbor watch and operation know your neighbor as a quick way to combat youth restiveness in the community and will engage the youth organsations and village and kindred leaders in actualizing the goal.
He also restated his resolve to fight insecurity in partnership with security agencies by setting up a Central vigilante outfit that would cover the entire community.
Okoye said that the community is faced with erosion menace and pleaded to state government through ministry of environment to assist Ogidi to fight erosion menace.
Chief Maduagwuna the runner up visited the PG to show solidarity and sportsmanship, he accepted the outcome of the election and described the election as free, fair and credible.
His words, "The election was peaceful, free, fair and credible. It was chaotic at the beginning. To me I don't see reason why one should go to court in the election that was transparent, “he said..
A Chieftain of the community, Chief David Obidike, who expressed satisfaction with the victory and disclosed that it was the first time a son of Abor in Akanano quarter, to emerge as the PG of Ogidi
He however, attributed the inability of Abor people to produce PG since inception to lack of qualified candidate that would pilot the affairs of the community assuring that Ikwuka would take the people to the promised Land.