By Jude Atupulazi
It was a happy day for the Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sir Pius Chuma Okoye, as some women of his community, Umuada Amawbia Ugbogiliga Home and Abroad, welcomed him as an illustrious son of Amawbia, Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The event was chaired by the former Transition Committee Chairman, Awka South L.G.A., Hon. Ozo Mike Akubude; with the current Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, Nnaghe Obono Itam, as the Special Guest of Honour.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Ozo Mike Akubude, extolled what he described as the humble nature of Sir Okoye, saying he was a man raised from grass to grace by virtues of hard work and determination in his field of business before he ventured into politics.
Akubude called on Amawbia people to support the Deputy Speaker and stand by him in order to lead our community to the next level.
In her speech, Hon. Barr. (Mrs.) Josephine Anenih, a former Minister of Women’s Affairs under President Goodluck Jonathan, thanked Umuada Amawbia for the event. She said that God had used Rt. Hon. Okoye to raise the hopes of the hopeless, especially widows, the poor and needy, whom, she said, he usually paid monthly stipends.
Mrs Anenih also thanked God for giving Amawbia such an illustrious son whom she declared as the Moses of the present time.
Earlier in her address of welcome, Mrs. Ekene Nwana, the leader of the Umuada Amawbia Ugbogiliga Group, said the Deputy Speaker had impacted lives among widows in the group and enjoined him to keep it up; even as she urged all Amawbia People to support Hon Okoye in his political aspirations as their own son.
In his speech, the Deputy Speaker thanked Umuada Amawbia for the great honour given to him and appreciated the dignitaries and Amawbia People who were present to witness the event.
He promised to always make himself available to tend to the needs of widows, the poor and needy in the community.
The occasion was graced by some members of the State House of Assembly, influential politicians across Awka-South and many other dignitaries, including, Chief Bonny Egbuta and Chief Don Poky Nwoye.
In continuation of his line-up of activities to commemorate his one year in office, Rt. Hon. Okoye later commissioned a gigantic borehole he sunk at Nibo III at Nkwa Umuagbo Square. The commissioning was witnessed by the President-General, Nibo Town, Prof. Tony Okoye, and a representative of the Traditional Ruler, HRM Eze M. C. Ngene, Ikenga Nibo.
The PG thanked the Deputy Speaker for giving democracy dividends to Nibo People by erecting the borehole within a short period.
Responding, the Deputy Speaker said his gesture was to fulfill his campaign promises and praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo for what he was doing in Anambra State.
During the commissioning, the Deputy Speaker used the event to empower some members of Nibo III with sewing machines, grinding machines, refrigerators and hair driers.
Also the Deputy Speaker commissioned a Public Health Centre he built in Uru Village, Mbaukwu, in Awka South Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Health, Anambra State, and some health officials from Awka South were present, alongside the executive members of the Mbaukwu People`s Union.
Rt Hon Okoye said the essence of erecting and commissioning the health centre at Mbaukwu was to fulfill his campaign promises and avail the common man a health facility to cater to their health needs and challenges. He also thanked the people of Mbaukwu for their support to the governor and APGA.
Highlight of the event was when the Deputy Speaker was made a Life Patron of the Umuada Amawbia Group.
