It was a magnificent display of pomp and pageantry as Ndi Imo State living in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, took out time to honour some of their illustrious sons who distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavor under the auspices of “Imo Improvement Association (IIA) End of the Year Party and Award celebration”, held on Sunday, December 10, 2023.
The event which was organized by Imo Improvement Association (IIA), was well attended with the esteemed presence of eminent personalities of Imo state extraction and other stakeholders in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area and other parts of Lagos State. It provided a unique opportunity and avenue for Ndi Imo to interact, network and reflect on their activities, achievements and challenges encountered during the year 2023 while looking forward to the coming year with great optimism despites the prevailing security and socio-economic challenges in the country.
Mr. Chinedu Ibeagwa, Chairman, Imo Improvement Association (IIA) in his welcome speech commended the resilience and industry of Ndi Imo in Ibeju Lekki and their ability to live in peace and harmony with their neighbors and host communities. He encouraged them to continue to be focused, law abiding and work very hard in their various businesses and chosen professions with a viewing to contributing positively not only to the progress of IIA but also towards the growth and development of Imo State in particular, Lagos State and Nigeria in general.
Ibeagwa explained that IIA was established in 2019 to bring all indigenes of Imo state in the zone (Ibeju Lekki) under one united umbrella to enable them to articulate and harness their resources and views together as one united family with one voice on critical issues affecting the association and Ndi Igbo in general in the state as well as ensure there is love, peace and unity among them; and most importantly to promote Igbo culture through the New Year Eating Festival among others.
He noted that Imo Improvement Association (I.I.A) has in a few years of existence made significant strides and accomplished remarkable achievements which other similar groups and associations have been dreaming, yearning and praying for over the years without success. Top on the list of some of the incredible gains garnered include establishment of IIA Women Wing, attraction of some distinguished Imo State indigenes in Ibeju Lekki to the fold and to cap it all, this year IIA moved from a rented venue to its own permanent centre here in Ibeju Lekki, where we are all gathered today. “This is a feat yet to be accomplished by any other association or union in the Local government and beyond. All of this couldn’t have been possible without the overwhelming support of IIA members and other critical stakeholders”, said Ibeagwa.
“We at IIA will continue to proactively and strategically interact and engage with the political class and structures in the zone (Ibeju Lekki) and Lagos State for the benefit and peaceful co-existence of Ndi Imo and Ndi Igbo at large”, IIA boss assured.
The highpoint of the event was the conferment of Grand Patron, Patron and award of Counsellor on some carefully selected sons of Imo State in Ibeju Lekki who have made indelible marks in their chosen profession and business and still making. Top on the list of honour was a Lagos based Industrialist and Philanthropist and Executive Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of UCAK Nigeria Limited, Mr. Uche Akuneziri who was conferred with the Grand Patron of Imo Improvement Association. Others were Mr. Ezinna Ebiliekwe, Former Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Imo State; Mr. Emmanuel Okoro, Former Treasurer Bharti Airtel Nigeria and Fintech expert, and Mr. Martins Emeto, a distinguished Banker ,who were conferred with Patrons respectively, while Mr. Kevin NNabuo was honored with Counsellor of IIA award.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee Mr. Emmanuel Nwadike, assured that “IIA would continue to identify and recognise deserving members who distinguished themselves in their various fields of human endeavours and through outstanding contribution to the development and growth of our association in particular and our dear Imo State in general”.
According to Nwadike, the college of Patrons which would be headed by the Grand Patron were painstakingly chosen among numerous men of high integrity and substance in line with IIA Constitution “as we have the firm believe that we could tap from their vast knowledge and experiences in many fields of human endeavours. “We also believe that they will answer us whenever we call on them because to whom much is given much is expected. And in the spirit of reciprocity, we promise to always respect and accord them the needed assistance and support, should they also need our attention”, he said.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Mr. Akuneziri thanked IIA for finding him and his colleagues worthy for such exalted honours. He commended IIA for the laudable strides and achievements recorded within very short period of its existence which he attributed to the transparent, dynamic and innovative leadership Mr. Ibeagwa and his team brought to bear on the management of the association.
“I promise to work very closely with the other awardees to further project, promote and take the association to an enviable height and I encourage other members of IIA to continue to support the good values and vision of the association. I also think that other Ndi Igbo socio-cultural groups and unions in the state and elsewhere should learn from IIA”, Akuneziri said.