Recently Ikwuano Development Union (I.D.U), Lagos branch, held elections that ushered in new executives to administer the affairs of the union for the next three years. Before the election of the officers, the outgoing President in the person of Okosisi S. C. Amako from Oloko Autonomous Community in his Valedictory Speech graciously welcomed the delegates whom he appreciated for their cooperation and support during his tenure of office. He mentioned one of the great landmarks accomplished by his administration that was a noticeable and strenuous effort made in the actualisation of an age long dream of the union to build ‘Ikwuano House’ in Lagos as plots of land have been acquired for that purpose. The union applauded him for a job well-done.

The outgoing President further attributed some of the challenges he encountered with his executives during his reign to poor attendance to meetings by the participating delegates and passive Autonomous Communities. He also said that due to apathy from a good number of Independent Communities, his administration was equally deprived of monetary contributions. He implored various Autonomous Communities through their delegates to borrow a new leave and see to the progress of the developing union.

Amako praised the esteemed Patrons of the union that demonstrated a lot of understanding in handling affairs during his governance. He appreciated all the delegates for their unflinching support and requested them to accord similar cooperation to the potential incumbent officers.

Thirteen out of the 42 Autonomous Communities that make up Ikwuano Local Government Area represented by five delegates each, were accredited to participate and vote during the election. However, four major positions were zoned, namely President, General Secretary, Treasurer and Financial Secretary to Oboro, Ariam/Usaka, Oloko and Ibere clans respectively. As a result, Okosisi Hope O. Ubani, an Educationist from Oboro clan who previously occupied the position of 1st Vice President emerged as the 12th President of the great Union, founded in 1955. The position of the General Secretary went to Sir. R.N. Egbulefu, a Media Practitioner, from Ariam/Usaka clan. For the offices of the Financial Secretary and Treasurer: Messrs Mr. O.C. Otije from Oloko and Jude Mgbechi from Ibere autonomous communities were duly elected respectively.

The elections also saw the following delegates as new officers of the union: Chief Celestine Emeruwa –1st Vice President (Ariam/Usaka), Mr. S. C. Okocha – 2nd Vice President (Oloko), Messrs Patrick C. Umesi – Assistant General Secretary I and Chidozie Onuegbu – Assistant General Secretary II both from Oboro. Others elected were Messrs Anthony U. Ajunwa – Public Relations Officer (Oloko) and Innocent Osondu – Provost I (Ibere). Above all, there were no elections held for the offices of Social Secretary, Assistant Financial Secretary and Provost II. The newly constituted executives were directed to see to that.

Okosisi Ubani during his acceptance speech on behalf of his colleagues thanked the Returning Officers headed by a Life Patron: Chief G.C. Ogbonna from Ibere and the electorates for their cooperation during the voting. He promised to live up to expectations and to lead I.D.U to glory. However, he solicited for everybody’s prayers and support as collective efforts give better result.

Ikwuano was under Umuahia Local Government Area in Abia State (God’s Own State) made up of four clans comprising Ariam/Usaka, Ibere, Oboro and Oloko with 57 villages.

The natives of Ikwuano are peace loving people that serve God and humanity. They speak common dialect with similar culture. Ikwuano people are powerful and rich in cultural heritage despite the advent of Christianity and Western civilisation that abolished certain aspects of local traditions. The developing local government area houses Michael Okpara University of Agriculture and National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, among others.