Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere flanked by Traditional Rulers, Ondo State Hon. Bekeknimi Idihiarhiand HRH, Eze Chidumem Okoro as Imo Deputy Governor performing Iwa Ji na Iri Ji, on Saturday at Itu Ezinihitte Mbaise during 2015 Iri Ji National Cultural Festival.
Governor Okorocha has felicitated with the entire people of Mbaise for a successful 2015 Iri Ji Mbaise National Cultural Festival, which held yesterday at Itu Ezinihitte Mbaise.
Governor Okorocha who was represented by his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere commended Mbaise Nation for her consistent effort in ensuring the culture and tradition of Ndi Igbo remain relevant to the extent of putting it in the international calendar.
He said:“I send the congratulatory message of His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on this occasion of getting together to do honour to our culture and tradition as Igbos. It is not a surprise that year after year the great Mbaise nation, with friends and well-wishers assemble from different parts of the world to promote our culture and Identity s Ndi Igbo”.
Prince Eze Mdumere commended the people of Mbaise for unity and cohesion that exist among them as a people. He however added that with huge natural resources and all the professionals, Doctors, lawyers, Engineers, Clergy, the academia at their disposal, the sky is their limit. He however stated that unity of purpose may be responsible for the great height they the people of Mbaise have attained to the amazement of all and sundry.
He further disclosed that Mbaise people are undoubtedly hard working, painstaking and enterprising, the traits he said Governor Okorocha appreciates. He averred that Mbaise’s place in the growth and development of Imo State and their contribution to the Nation building is strategic and draws even Owelle Rochas Okorocha close to the people with high degree of loyalty, love and appreciation.
He attributed their resilience and enterprise to the reason Governor Okorocha has consistently employed them for their inputs to the growth of the State.
The number two citizen of Imo State after listing some of the legacy projects in Mbaise Nation, which include three general hospitals, model primary school buildings, Roads and other government’s investments visible and invisible, he assured them that projects not yet completed will be completed in no distant time.
He also assured them they will be given the pride of place the moment the industrialization policy is translated to reality, which he said is fast in coming.
He therefore called on the Mbaise Nation to lend their full support and solidarity to Governor Okorocha, the act he said will enable Governor Okorocha led Rescue Mission administration achieve even greater height to continue to make Imo state better.
Speaking earlier, the new Chairman of Ezurezu Mbaise, Chief Cajetan Nnamdi thanked Imo State Governor for his love for the people of Mbaise. He disclosed that the evidences are found in the completed and ongoing projects sited in different areas of the three local governments that make up Mbaise Nation.
He however appealed to Governor Okorocha to particularly help rehabilitate Afor-Ogbe-Ikeduru-Mbaitoli-Onitsha Express way link Road.
He also appealed for Government’s help them realize the dream of building Mbaise Cultural Centre for promotion of Mbaise culture and that Igbo in general.
Also speaking at the event, HRH, Eze Chidumem Okoro thanked the State Governor for his magnanimity for Mbaise Nation. He appealed for juicy positions for Mbaise sons and daughters.
The highpoint of the event was the period of Iri Ji as Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere with the Ondo State Commissioner for Sports who represented Governor, Olusegun Mimiko was led by the traditional rulers with HRH, Eze Chidumem Okoro for the ritual of tasting the New yam, which was followed by other sons and guests of Mbaise Nation who also did as donations and pledges were made to further promote and help develop Mbaise clan.