By Ingram Osigwe
Akokwa United Empowerment Forum (AUEF), a non partisan, socio- cultural group made up of young entrepreneurs and professionals from the Akokwa ancient kingdom in Ideato North council area of Imo state will on Saturday, January 2nd, 2021 inaugurate its first ever self- help community project, a 565 pole solar street light.
The event will take place at St. Peter’s Anglican Church field, Akokwa at 10am.
A press statement signed by AUEF’s Media Adviser, Ingram Osigwe, quoted President of the Forum, Eze Ugochukwu (Aku Ukwu Akokwa) as naming Chairman of the Orange Drugs, Sir Tony Ezenna( Ijele Akokwa) as Chief host of the occasion while the special guest of honour will be Chief (Dr) Fabian Nworah (Chikeluba), Chairman Top Rank Hotels.
His Royal Highness, Eze (Sir) Ikenna .C Okoli (Ksc) Obi of Akokwa will be the Royal father of the Day.
According to the press statement, AUEF, which had its inaugural meeting on the 30th of December, 2019, is unique in that it is the first time in the history of Akokwa that young men from all the six villages of Akokwa kingdom came together, formed themselves into an association with the development of the kingdom as its primary objective.
“Another unique thing about AUEF is that it has become a rallying point of sort for the youths of Akokwa. United, it is said, we stand. With AUEF as the fulcrum, the youths can now lend their voice in unison and make contributions devoid of any form of grandstanding to issues pertaining to Akokwa“, the statement further said.
Continuing, Osigwe said in the press statement: “If indeed, youths are leaders of tomorrow, then Akokwa as a town should count herself blessed to have youths who have come under the umbrella of AUEF, who are not just waiting for leadership to be thrust upon them but rather youths who by embracing the responsibility of today have prepared themselves for the leadership task of tomorrow.
“AUEF has rekindled and brought to the fore the Igbo kindred spirit of “Igwe bu ike” There is actually a limit to what a person can accomplish as an individual. Development is everybody’s responsibility. AUEF has demonstrated within a record time that a lot can be accomplished in terms of community development through Igwe bu ike (joint/ collective effort) “
Osigwe further stated that, AUEF, acknowledges “the notable sons of Akokwa who have been and still are the vanguard of development in Akokwa. Worthy of mention are the late Prof. “Elechukwu Njaka who gave Akokwa her first secondary school and Chief(Sir) Tony Ezenna (Ijele Akokwa). Sir Ezenna is a beacon of light to the Akowa town. Ijele Akokwa remains a source of inspiration to the youths of Akokwa and AUEF will like to to avail itself the opportunity of this medium to convey to him (Ijele) the assurances of our highest regards”
