For their love for their illustrious son, Prince Eze Madumere, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, the people of Mbieri who live and ply their trade in Lagos in their large numbers thronged to Teslim Balogun Stadium to honour their own defiling heavy vehicular traffic gridlock around Surulere and the entire mainland axis following the explosion of a tanker laden with PMS that nearly caused mayhem.
The event, which kick-started with pomp and pageantry witnessed the presence of the crème-de-la-crème of Imolites with the Executive members of the umbrella body for Imo State indigenes in Lagos State led by Pastor Okey Anoruo were on hand to give honour to whom it is due. Meanwhile, every clan of Mbieri ancient Kingdom had its own cover with identification tag.
The beautiful women of Imo State who were adorned in colourful Igbo traditional attire uniforms according to their associations, though each looking distinctly different due to personal touch of style, filed out in excitement invoking and displaying those cultural orientations that are rare to come by these days. Of course the men would rather care less with uniform but where seen dressed according to the feeling of the dresser. In synopsis, despite their individualistic approach to colour, one could appreciate their choice of coming with their best if not their Sunday best.
Arriving the venue of the event, Prince Madumere was faced with the challenge of having to meander through an excited crowed that had trooped out led by the President of Mbieri Unions Federated, Lagos Branch, Mr. Ignatius Ewurum and other top notch to welcome and usher him into the arena with various soul lifting songs. It took quite some time before the audience could harken to the call by the Master of Ceremony, “Dede One-Day” to retire to their seats which was so as to begin the business of the day. It is said that the honour of a King lies with those around him.
The number two citizen of Imo State was not alone but was accompanied by some great sons and leaders of Imo State. With him were Hon. Ifeanyi Nnataraonye, member of Imo State House of Assembly representing Mbaitoli State constituency, Hon. Dr. Uche Oguwike, member of Imo State House of Assembly representing Ikeduru State constituency and Hon. Victor Onyewuchi who is also a member of Imo House of Assembly representing Owerri West State Constituency. Also in attendance were Chief Marcon Nlemigbo of Marcon group of companies, Chief I.B Okafor, Dr. Durunna Chukwuma who is the Interim President of Mbieri Nwotuoke Cultural Union, Prince Chijioke Madumere, Chief Gerry Okolie, Ezinwa Kingsley Ononuju, Mr. Ifeanyi Oparaeche, and host of many others.
The occasion which was graced with clement weather that allowed a hitch free gathering began with reverence to the National and Imo State anthems respectively, religious tradition of breaking of kolanuts and opening prayers, which ended with a thunderous amen. The prayer was long but never tiresome since it sought God’s intervention for a prosperous Mbieri, Mbaitoli, Imo state, its indigenes, their son, Prince Madumere and Governor Okorocha.
In his address, the President of Mbieri Federated Unions, Mr. Ignatius Ewurum commended Prince Eze Madumere, the Deputy Governor of Imo State for his high sense of discipline humility and loyalty to his boss and Governor of Imo State. He also used the forum to extol Governor Okorocha and his deputy, Prince Madumere for their effort in curbing proliferation of Kidnapping and robbery in by bring Police District headquarters in Mbieri and other parts of Mbaitoli. He also commended the radical operationalization of the Traditional Institution, which has made them more relevant in both development and security of their immediate communities. He said so, far that Prince Madumere has attracted so much to Mbieri and Mbaitoli at large but called for patience.
He also called on the people of Mbieri to rally round Governor Okorocha and their son, Prince Eze Madumere in appreciation of their good work even as they affect Mbieri and Mbaitoli in general positively.
In his remark, the Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Marcon Nlemigbo decried the trend of Mbieri people of being little achievers, the issue he attributed to lackadaisical attitude and internal disharmony among leaders. He gave a historical and a nostalgic account of how Mbieri used to be very powerful due to their unity and sincerity of purpose. He therefore called for re-invention and re-invigoration of what he described as Mbieri Spirit. He also made a clarion call for undiluted support to Prince Madumere whom he described a great son of Mbieri who due to his hard work and loyalty to his boss, Owelle Rochas Okorocha that placed him where he is today, the position he said has benefitted Mbaitoli and Owerri Zone in such a high magnitude.
The event shook the very foundation of Teslim Balogun Stadium thunderously got to the crescendo when Prince Madumere honoured and conferred with the award of visionary leadership by the people of Mbieri in Lagos State performed by their President, Mr. Ignatius Ewurum flanked by the Chairman of Mbaitoli Council of Traditional Leaders, members of Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Marcon Nlemigbo, executive members of Mbieri Unions Federated, Imo State Town Development Association led by Pastor Okey Anoruo, friends of Madumere from Diaspora and others from the Private Sector.
In his addressed, Prince Madumere re-echoed the need to give Governor Okorocha unflinching support saying he has shown so much love to Mbieri Ancient Kingdom, Mbaitoli and Owerri Zone in its entirety so much love. He took time to enumerate the achievement of Governor Okorocha in education, Road Construction and other dividends of democracy, which Mbieri and other parts of the States go their fair share.
Highlighting the efforts of Governor Okorocha led government; he told Lagos-Mbieririans that Road repairs, construction and rehabilitations going on in Mbaitoli and other Local governments in general especially strategic ones that are beneficial to all and sundry. He mentioned Orodo-Ogwa-Iho Road, Orji-Renaissance-T-Junction Road, Nkwo-Orji-Obazu-Orie Mbieri Road and numerous other that had been completed before the present dispensation.
He however reminded that Imo State is a conglomeration of communities and local governments all competing for dividends from available resources. He therefore called for patience and be considerate by showing gratitude to the Governor for the ones he has done for them.
His Royal Highness, Eze Peter Opara, who was visibly excited betrayed his mind when he described the even as re-incarnation of true Mbieri spirit. He charged all and sundry to drop individual benefit and join hands to pursue a collective goal, which he said will definitely put Mbieri and Mbaitoli in its rightful place while calling on them to ensure all hands are on deck to ensure that Governor Okorocha and his deputy, Prince Madumere succeed.
Ending on good note, Imo Deputy who superintended the proposed Mbieri ultra-modern Hall in concert with the President of the Union realized N8.45million from the donations of Umu Mbieri, which also served as symbol of a more united Umu Mbieri ready to chart a course for her development in all ramifications.