Amuzi “Top Guns” Take the Bull by the Horns- Vow Town ready to Soar Like an Eagle
Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria- December 25th, 2017: On Christmas day, the proud but concerned citizens of Amuzi- a rural Igbo community in Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, convened and vowed to take control of their destiny, in order to unleash the socio-economic potentials of the community.
The conference which was convened by their illustrious son, Prince Professor Eddie Oparaoji- a US based Pharmaceutical Executive and good governance activist, on the platform of the Patriotic Citizens of Amuzi (PCA), was Chaired by another influential son of the community, High Chief Engr. Dr. Johnny Chukwu- a former Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. The conference was also, powerfully punctuated with the presence of their eminently distinguished daughter. Her Excellency Professor (Mrs) Viola Onwuliri, Pro-Chancellor Nigeria’s Maritime University and former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was the Guest Speaker.
In his opening remark, the Chairman of the convention Engr. Johnny Chukwu, commended the convener for the initiative albeit with short notice, while commending the participants for their enthusiastic turn out. He pledged to ensure a successful convention, and subsequent implementation of adopted plans of action.
In his address, the Convener, welcomed the “esteemed citizens of Amuzi, the great Uhi n’ami ego community”.
He said, “we the conveners of the above named organization, following a prolonged period of agony and frustration with our inadequate community progress and unmet developmental potentials, fueled by lack of unity of purpose, were compelled to create this platform, to reignite dialogue, and awaken us to our existential potentials”. He went on to indict his generation whom he said, “despite all our display of academic laurels, wealth and professional accomplishments, have nothing on ground to compare with the landmark institutions, still standing- the Church, Secondary and Primary Schools, built by our forebears, who had far less education and wealth”.
He commented further that “our generation may have been marginally saved from disgrace by the courage, thoughtfulness and accomplishments of a few, such as late Professor C.O.E Onwuliri, former Vice Chancellor Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), who opened up thousands of University admissions and job offers, to our people, which today is sustaining thousands of families within and beyond Amuzi; along same line, and in addition to her philanthropy, is our daughter the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Education, Professor Viola Onwuliri, gets credit for attracting to Amuzi, an imposing Federal Technical School and the only Federal Institution in Mbaise. When fully operational, this institution may yet be the most important stimulus for jobs and expansive economic growth, for Amuzi and Mbaise, as well as be our gateway to global exchange programs and partnerships. Another noble achiever to be included in this privileged class of rescuers of my generation is our eminent brother Engr. Dr. Johnny Chukwu who ensured the establishment of a police post in Amuzi. The last but not the least to be mentioned, in this elite circle is the US based organization- Amuzi Development Fund (ADF) that built and donated a 6-class room block to our community, and are in the process of equipping a library ”.
“We must embrace this new course and spirit they have presented us with, and let Amuzi soar again like an eagle. We must strengthen and re-energize the name Uhi Amuzi- to mean togetherness.”
“God has blessed Amuzi, with men and women of great talent, respected and recognized, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, who have made contributions; but misguided and myopic leadership at home, have stunted all efforts to harness our vast resources, to attain our desired socio-politico-economic heights. This must change”.
“Today we have taken the bull by the horns by convening this first ever PCA Convention-2017, to bring our best minds and resources together, in order to explore a new consciousness, in order to us to greater economic development heights and egalitarianism”.
“It is important to note that while rebuilding Amuzi for Amuzians is our priority, we are also keenly aware that the world is our stage”.
In her speech, the Guest Speaker, Her Excellency, Professor Viola Onwuliri, paid tribute to her husband, Professor C.O.E Onwuliri, for touching so many lives in meaning ful ways. She stressed on the need for unity of purpose, forgiveness, devotion to uplifting our youths and women, in order to unshackle us to attain our God given potentials. She committed to continue in the footsteps of her late parents Their Royal Hignesses Eze Cletus Ogbonna and Ugoeze Dorathy Oparaoji, who never wavered on matters and issues that will make Amuzi better for all at all times. She vowed to ensure that their children who obtain good JAMB result will not be denied University admissions. She counseled that people must not be deterred by “growing pains” as she pledged to throw her support wholeheartedly behind the renewed initiative to elevate her community to a truly global player. She then proposed the creation of various committees as a mechanism for deepening deliberations, identifying challenges and proposing solutions.
Speaking after the Hon. Minister, the Ahiazu Divisional Police Officer, Superintendent of Police (SP) Hart Chime lamented on the get-rich-quick mentality of today’s youth and the apparent code of silence in communities as debilitating factors in crime control. Mr Hart, requested a patrol van to enhance their reach and response time.
Some other prominent Amuzi Citizens who spoke include retired Commissioner of Police Barr Felix Nwodibo, Professor Zeph Njoku, Professor C.U.U. Kadurumba, Engr. Tony Igbojionu, Barr Maxwell Opara, Professor Peter Ekechukwu, Dr. Pius Nwagwu, Mrs Bernadette Egbuhuouzor, Mrs Eneta Otuibe Chief Victor Echeibe, Chief Hyacinth Nwachukwu (Air Raid) and others.
Some specific recommendations emerged during the various presentations such as the need to establish of an Amuzi Resource Center (ARC)- to facilitate matching needs to available resources; ICT lesson and skills acquisition for youths and indigent women; the integration of an already existing education think tank- Amuzi Action Forum into the PCA; an action plan to achieving political power, as a means to faster development.
Subsequently, committees which were created in various critical development sectors, went into break-out sessions, and returned to share overviews of their discussions. It was then decided, that the committees would meet regularly in order to deliver on their assignments, and that every December 25th will be PCA annual convention date.
In closing, a Motion to adopt PCA and its Goals and Objectives was moved by former Commissioner of Police Barr. Felix Nwodibo and supported by Hon Mrs Chioma Ogu, and unanimously passed without objections
107 delegates attended the conference- an average of more than 10 delegates per clan, more than was planned for, from each of the 10 clans of Amuzi. To this the Chairman of the organizing committee Chief B.C. Nwachukwu, declared that “this convention was successful beyond my imagination, take it from me Amuzi is back”.
-Uhi news agency.
Patriotic Citizens of Amuzi 