Inauguration: Nkpokote Nsukka Elected Officers sworn-in, as President Bartholomew Ugwoke calls for unity

BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU
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Newly elected President of Nkpokote Nsukka Development Forum (NNDF), Barrister Bartholomew Ifeanyi Ugwoke, has called on the people of Nsukka cultural zone to work in harmony towards the development of the zone.
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Ugwoke who stated this in his acceptance speech on Saturday after the inauguration of the 28-man executive held at Sports Club, Nsukka, promised to uphold the values and principles of the association with a view to moving Nsukka cultural zone forward.
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“Your trust in me is a privilege, and I promise to uphold the values and principles that our association stands for. History is important because by recalling past events, we analyse them to shape our present and future “, he stated.
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The Legal practitioner pointed out that NNDF is a non-partisan group determined to reposition the cultural value of Nsukka zone for the overall interest of the people.
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“I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have bestowed on me, and I pledge to work tirelessly to serve our association with integrity, dedication and passion. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Board of Trustees (BoT) and members of the defunct committees during the inaugural period of 7th April 2024.”
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He, however, noted, “I am not a Prophet, so to say that I am a Prophet of doom, but I must warn that if we cannot hold Nkpokote Nsukka together to achieve results, it will be difficult for any other group to assemble such an array of Nsukka people shortly.”
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“I must also warn that Nkpokote Nsukka is being positioned as pan Nsukka sociopolitical organisation, but the only thing, I repeat, the only thing, that can disorganise us is partisanship. In advanced democracies, there comes a time when the bipartisan approach to solving a communal problem becomes imperative.”

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Nkpokote Nsukka Development Forum (NNDF), Professor Douglas Nwagbo, charged the newly elected executive members of the NNDF on the need for development of the Nsukka cultural zone.
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Nwagbo noted that members of the Executive were carefully elected based on individual antecedents, urging them to work together in the interest of the zone.

Prominent indigenes of Nsukka zone spoke at the event, concluding that the people of the area should work in harmony to advance the course of the cultural zone.
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Among the speakers were Hon. Chinedu Onu, Professor Tony Onyishi, Secretary, BoT, NNDF, Senator Okey Ezea.

The executive members sworn-in were Barrister Bartholomew Ifeanyi Ugwoke for the Office of the President and Prof. Festus U. Agbo as Deputy President.

Vice Presidents- Hon. Dr. Gody Abonyi, Hon. Emmanuel Jonathan JP, Mr. Thomas Ekoli, Mr. Collins Ugwu, Mr. Thomas Ekoli , Chief Anthony Nnabuagu Okonkwo ACP (rtd.).

Others were Engr. Emeka Agbo – Office of the Secretary, Mr. Ted Ojimba – Office of the Assistant Secretary, Engr. James Ajibo – Office of the Treasurer, Chief Chinedu Okosisi – Office of the Financial Secretary, Chief Dominic Ezugwu FCA – Office of the Assistant Financial Secretary, Chief Charles Solomon Ako – Office of the Organizing Secretary, Agu Chineme Enyiduru – Office of the Publicity Secretary and Dr. Cyprian Okey Okoro – Office of the Assistant Publicity Secretary.

Among them were Mr. Donald Ogbodo – Office of the National Auditor, Barr. Ifenyi Ogenyi – Office of the Legal Adviser, Mrs. Rita Oguadinma – Office of the Welfare Officer, Udoka Kelvin Ezugwu – Office of the Youth Leader, Mrs. Eunice Nnaji Ada Nsukka – Office of Director of Women Affairs I and Prof. Mrs. Otegbulu – Office of Director of Women Affairs II.

Ex-officio members included Prof. Mishach Nnabuchi , Barr. Kingsley Awuka, Hon. Ifeanyi Ogbu, Hon. Dr. Nestor Ezeme , Dr. (Mrs.) Eucharia Amaka Onu and Dr. Romanus Ezike.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.