Encomiums, Jubilations, As Ikwuano Mayor, Nwaka Defies Over 14years Barricade, Holds Children’s Day
It was a delightful moment with an euphoric atmosphere, yesterday, as all roads led to Ikwuano Council headquarters, in celebration of the nationwide May 27 event for children.
In Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, history was rewritten as the children from the four different clans of the community, amidst great joy and in high spirits, trotted off to the Council’s headquarters, at Isiala Oboro, in celebration of the 2024 Children’s Day.
The remarkable event which caused glimpses of smiles and laughter on the faces of both parents , teachers, Council staff of Ikwuano, had gone into extinction for over a decade since the previous administrations came on board.
The epoch making event featured interesting activities such as match past by the various schools across the community, both public and private schools; cultural dances, novelty football match, gymnastics display by Amawom School (11) and presentation of gifts to winners of the exercises.
The pupils and students who could scarcely hide their heartfelt gratitude and joy, were bustling with various activities as all were anxious to impress the Mayor and judges, in their bid to return home with the awards.
In his address, the Mayor described it as a “glorious day” in the lives of the Ikwuano Community, “saying it is a day that has brought great happiness and joy to the entire inhabitants of the Council, adding “I am not left out in this feeling of joy, because this is happening my own time as the Mayor of this community.”
He regretted that the children of the Council had been deprived of the exercise for over fourteen (14) years,
but this administration is bent on restoring all of our lost culture, tradition and values, “because we have to make everyone including our children feel a sense of belonging.
“So, we decided that there is a new hope for Abia; there is a new dawn for Abia. Those good things that have been abandoned for decades, those good values that have been forsaken for decades, the government of Dr. Alex otti has mandated us, the Mayors to go back to the drawing board and begin to bring back those values and those things for our people.
Meanwhile, Nwaka bemoaned the utter despondent condition of most of the schools, as he reassured that it was a new dawn for all and sundry.
This is even as he observed that some schools were well populated while some are under populated, as he promised to visit various schools across the communities in order to ascertain their needs and come to their aid in collaboration with the State government.
“So this is actually a day like this should be dedicated to our children to know each other, to bond, to showcase their skills and their talents and for us to know the schools that need help and the ones that are doing very well. I’ve taken time when I was taking the salute to observe that some schools are well populated while some schools are almost empty.
“So, in no distance time, I’ll be visiting most of the schools,clan by clan to identify with them and see the areas they will need help, haven been the youngest Mayor in Abia State, I’ll say it over and over again that this remains the only opportunity or one of the opportunities every youth, every child, every boy, every girl has to develop in skills, in education, in arts, in anything developable, I’m here for you.
“No child of Ikwuano that is capable, responsible and has skills that will be identified that will not have support from us. So, we are not playing with education when it comes to Ikwuano, and in no time at all, we shall be distributing our free textbooks and notebooks to all the schools in batches, it will go round all the schools”, he pledged.
The House member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, Hon. Engr. Boniface Isienyi thanked the Mayor for organising the Children’s Day celebration.
“So many children who were born 10 years ago didn’t know the location of the Council’s headquarters. I must commend the Mayor for this giant stride. This is proof that the Governor, Dr. Alex Otti is a grassroots leader.”
He used the opportunity to assure the schools that in no distance time, not fewer than 10 schools would be renovated in the council, as he applauded the organisers of the event.
The Deputy Mayor, Hon. Chief Charles Ugboaja thanked the stakeholders of the party in the community and the Mayor for the event which he described as “excellent”, praying for the blessings of God upon him, and the government of Otti.
“May I use this opportunity to advise our children to be security conscious”, urging them to endeavour to raise alarm upon discovering any suspicious movement around them, especially during school hours or dismissal.
The Education Secretary, Mrs. Esther, while giving her remarks, thanked God Almighty for the restoration of the remarkable event, saying “we’re very happy and we thank our Mayor and we’re saying it shall be well with him. For bringing back to us what we have been deprived of and have forgotten for many years, may God bless you, Mayor Nwaka.
“This government has restored our hope, the government of Dr. Alex Otti is a government that has the welfare of the children and special citizens at heart.
IDU President, Dr Charles Uzondu thanked the organisers of the event, the participants and stakeholders of Labour party for a successful turn out of the programme.
He prayed for more of God’s blessings upon Mayor Nwaka, describing him as a true lover of his people.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of gifts to the best performed schools, ranging from primary to secondary, by the Mayor of the Council, the House member, Deputy Mayor and other stakeholders of the staff and party, leaving the students in an elated state.
