Agwa Central Union: Prince Asor, Obodo, Ukemezi, Nwabekee, Achilike, Okenesi, Abiaziem Attends Owerri Branch Meeting
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Rita Onuoha
The Agwa Central Union (ACU), Owerri Branch, on Sunday recorded a significant increase in membership as it welcomed 11 new members during its monthly meeting held at Double Day Hotel, off Port Harcourt Road, World Bank, Owerri, reaffirming its commitment to promoting unity, peace and sustainable development across Agwa Clan in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
The meeting, presided over by the Chairman of the Owerri Branch, Mr. Churchill Nwankwo, attracted senior leaders and stakeholders of the union, including Prince Malachi Asor, Regent of Obudi Ancient Kingdom; Engr. Pascal Ekenze Obodo, National Secretary-General of ACU; Dr. Achilike Kelechi; Barr. Gozie Ikwo; Hon. Chief Oscar Chima Ukemezi (Ochiagha I of Agwa); Hon. Goddey Onyewuchi Nwabekee, African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Oguta State Constituency in the 2027 election; Hon. Williams Chinedu Okenesi, Supervisory Councillor for Education, Oguta Local Government Area; and Mr. Desmond Chimezie Abiaziem.
Discussions at the meeting centred on security, education, welfare and strategies for accelerating development within Agwa communities, in line with the union's guiding slogan, "Agwa Must Be Better in Our Time."
Addressing members, Nwankwo expressed appreciation for the growing participation of Agwa indigenes in the activities of the Owerri Branch and urged members to sustain the momentum by reaching out to other Agwa sons and daughters residing in Owerri who were yet to join the union.
"I want to thank everyone for coming and ensuring that ACU Owerri Branch is alive. Today, we have 11 new members who have come to register. It's unprecedented. Agwa people living in Owerri are very many in number, and we want them to come and join hands to better Agwa in our time," he said.
He described the increase in membership as a positive indication that more people were embracing the vision of the union for collective progress and community development.
Speaking during the meeting, Prince Malachi Asor described the Agwa Central Union as one of the most impactful organisations in the history of Agwa, noting that its leadership had consistently prioritised the welfare and advancement of the people.
"I can tell you today that ACU is the best thing that has happened to Agwa. As the sociocultural apex body of Agwa, the leadership from the national level to the sister branches has remained firm and committed to the good people of Agwa in development, peace, security and unity.
"I can tell you today that ACU has done more good than harm to Agwa. The leadership is top-notch in the overall interest of Agwa, socially and economically. I call on Agwa sons and daughters to unite and pursue the common cause of development," he maintained.
Also speaking, the National Secretary-General of ACU, Engr. Pascal Ekenze Obodo, said recent engagements initiated by the union with the Imo State Police Command were beginning to produce encouraging outcomes in addressing security concerns affecting Agwa communities.
"I can tell you that the stakeholders' meeting was convened at the instance of ACU, and it is going to yield positive results for the good of our people. ACU is working for Agwa peace, unity and development," he said.
Mr. Desmond Chimezie Abiaziem also appealed to Agwa indigenes living in Owerri and beyond to identify with the union and contribute to the collective aspirations of the clan.
"I am appealing to Agwa men and women in Owerri to share in this course of development," he said.
Dr. Achilike Kelechi described the union as a platform that had continued to strengthen brotherhood among Agwa people irrespective of political, social or religious differences.
"It is a good development for brothers to come together for development, and ACU is playing that role by bringing Agwa together for peace and development.
"I want to tell our people who are still far away to come closer. I registered last year and since then, the experience has been lovely. Let us come and build Agwa for peace and development," he concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the newly admitted members, Prince Japheth Bekee of Amaudara Umukpo, Agwa, commended the leadership of the union for providing a platform capable of driving collective development.
"I am very delighted to be here. In fact, all of us are very happy to identify with ACU Owerri Branch. We all came from different villages in Agwa, and we are certainly convinced that ACU is the best thing we can hand over to our unborn children for the collective development of Agwa. I am optimistic that Agwa must be better in our time," he concluded.
A major decision reached during the meeting was the appointment of Mr. Alias Asor, popularly known as JKJ, as Chairman of the Welfare Committee. Members said the appointment was aimed at strengthening the union's welfare structure and improving support for members.
The meeting ended with refreshments and further interactions among members.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Surveyor Chinedu Owuamalam, Vice Chairman of ACU Owerri Branch; Comrade Kelechi Joshua Anumudu, National Protocol I; Mr. Saviour Onwubiko Abiaziem; Mr. Theddeaus Chibuzor Odunze, who hosted the meeting; Mr. Charles Ejiogu; Architect Chinonso Unagha; Comrade Ugwuegbu Wisdom, and several other members.
The Agwa Central Union headed by Mr. Nduka Ozor as the National President-General, remains the apex socio-cultural organisation representing the interests of Agwa people. In recent months, the union has intensified engagements on community security, infrastructural advocacy, educational development and peacebuilding, while encouraging greater participation of Agwa indigenes at home and in the diaspora in initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development across the clan.
