Irete community in Owerri west LGA has been agog since the new year following the rekindling of hope in the people inspired by the leadership of the Irete Community Development Union (I.C.D.U) led by Sir Chidume Uzozie, as the youthful, brilliant team of the town union presented their stewardship account to the people, followed by a presentation of their 2025 budget estimates.
The event which took place on January 2 at the Irete Secondary Technical School, attracted all sections of the community leadership, including past Presidents General, women leaders, the traditional institution, youth leaders and others.
In his welcome address, the President General of Irete community Development Union (I.C.D.U), Sir Chidume Uzozie commended the people for their positive responses and support so far, observing that on assumption of office, his team had a mandate to transform the community in all areas, hence the establishment of various committees to reflect the various needs of the community.
The Chairman of security committee, Chief Okey Ahanaa rendered an account of the efforts of his committee to ensure the safety of lives and property in the community, even mentioning the names of the notorious criminals in the community, their families and villages, praising his team for hard and also outlined the challenges presently faced by his security team.
The Vice President General/ Home branch Chairman, Sir Uzoma Iwuala maintained that with the ongoing efforts of the town union all security challenges would soon be nipped in the bud, with women going to their farms without fear of molestation, adding that certain security measures now being implemented were not for public consumption.
Former President General, Prof. Andrew Igwenma urged the leadership of I.C.D.U. to endeavour to establish village security outfits to ensure the protection of the entire community, of which Sir Uzoma Iwuala informed the people of the establishment of some village security outfits and their working partnership with many of the community”s neighborhood security outfits
Former President General, Chief Chris Anukam made case for the unity of Irete community, calling on everyone to be patient and understand that at the moment there is only one community and one traditional ruler, though the community would like to have more autonomous communities which would enhance overall development.
Chief Anukam raised the issue of the shopping complex around the Community Primary school and the need to understand the sharing arrangements guiding the ones allotted to the community.
Earlier in his address, the traditional ruler, HRH Eze Ethelbert C.Ekwelibe stressed the need for unity and improvement of the community”s security. Eze Ekwelibe also called for the immortalization of those who have contributed immensely towards the development of the community.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the report cards of of all the committees by their Chairmen, with the Electricity committee chairman, Justine Uzoma Okedu attracting applause for his commendable achievement in helping improve electricity supply in the community. A constitution drafting committee headed by Barr. Paul Madu was inaugurated.
Speaking with newsmen after the event, the President General of I.C.D.U. Sir Chidume Uzozie expressed his joy at the success of the annual general meeting, saying that the quality of people at the event showed that the community was poised to achieve greatness.
He attributed the secret of their success to honesty, integrity and commitment, as well as the capacity of the team, ranging from the Vice President to the P.R.O.
The PG used the opportunity to appreciate the people of the community for the confidence reposed in the leadership and urged them to continue to support them morally, spiritually, financially and physically, assuring that every Kobo given to them must be accounted for.
