BY EVEREST EZIHE, OGWA
Worried over recent reports of insecurity in Ogwa Anunu Umumgbe ancient clan in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, an organization, Ogwa Stakeholders Forum (OSF), says they have advanced plans, as a matter of urgency,to restore security in the community by the year 2021 with a strategic security road map.
Dr. V. C. Onukwugha, the President of the Forum, gave the assurance at the Forum’s end of the Year dinner party cum lecture with the theme : Youth Integration As a Metaphor For Local Security/Economic Empowerment held at Umunneato Civic Hall, Oburo Umumaaro in Ishi Ogwa autonomous community.
Onukwugha, who is the immediate past District 9125 Rotary Governor, described the Forum as the apex socio- cultural interventionist group in Ogwa, made up of patriotic sons of the ancient clan, who are committed towards using their personal resources and contacts for the overall development and advancement of their ancient and peaceful community.
He regretted that the after-effects of the coronavirus pandemic within the year, forestalled the Forum’s planned annual interventionist programs such as comprehensive free medical services, youths empowerment and skills acquisition programmes. The President appealed to other patriotic sons of the clan to join the Forum to realize their vision of making the six autonomous communities that constitute Ogwa Anunu Umumgbe clan better.
The guest Lecturer, Barr. Henry Onukwugha, a United States of America based legal icon, security chieftain and a member of the forum, in his lecture advised leaders of the community to address security issues in the area holistically.
He pointed out that the level of insecurity in Ogwa community in recent times, calls for serious concern. He expressed disenchantment how strangers now struggle with indigenes over farmlands and forest reserves. Onukwugha expressed displeasure over the recent invasion of farmlands in Ogwa community by Fulani herdsmen, especially the recent invasion on the former Catholic Church Convent at Umudim/Amiyi Oboro Umueze Ogwa, Ikpa Abazu.
He also lamented that the ancient community have been ravaged with various crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, gruesome murders, assassinations, stealing, drugs peddling among others.
“These are ominous signs calling for concerted efforts to put ourselves together for survival. After all, self preservation is the first law of nature. To realize this, there’s a great need to galvanize our youths for the present security challenges” he said
” We can no longer resort to self pity and keep blaming others for the challenges at home. We have a duty to protect and preserve our common patrimony and heritage. Our fathers have done their bit in bringing social amenities to the clan much before the end of colonial rule in Nigeria” he advised.
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