2021 Ji Mbaise: Rehabilitate roads, Mbaise Policy Roundtable, tells Imo State Governor

Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State Nigeria, August 17, 2021:

The Imo State government has been told to urgently rehabilitate roads in Mbaise, especially those that have become death traps for users.

The call was made by a high powered delegation, to the just concluded 2021 Iriji Mbaise (New Yam) festival, of the Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR), a non-governmental organization with offices in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria and New York, USA.

The festival was held at the Ahiazu-Mbaise Local Government Council on August 15, 2021, and during his time at the podium, the leader of the MPR delegation, who is also the Deputy Director for Culture, Sir Desmond Obani, sent the message to the Governor of the State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, through his deputy, Professor Placid Njoku who was present, regarding the terrible state of roads in Mbaise.

He pointedly requested that something be done to urgently rehabilitate the roads in Mbaise,  specifically the Aba branch – Mbaise – Okpuala Road, which he said has become a death trap to users in the three local government areas of Mbaise.

Sir Obani, who also congratulated the Ezejis on the way the ceremony was organized, and encouraged them to keep the flag flying for a sustainable Mbaise Culture of Ji Mbaise, reaffirmed that the objective of MPR was to collaborate with government and non-governmental organizations to fast track Mbaise development in order to improve the quality of life of the people of Mbaise.

 Other members of the MPR delegation were, a two-time Minister of Nigeria, Professor Mrs Viola Onwuliri, Hon. Mike Iheanaetu, Ezeji Dr Kachi Nwoga, Barrister Emmanuel Ekechukwu, Hon Vitta Nwaodu, Hon. Dr. Victor Ukpabi, Professor Callistus Ibe, Mr Emmanuel Madu, Mr Okechukwu Ikonne, Mr Ikechukwu Anyanwu, Chief Joe Kemdirim, Chief BC Nwachukwu and Mr Kennedy Onwunali.

Excluding the demands by MPR for the government to live up to her developmental responsibilities in Mbaise, most other speeches were overtly political and regrettably partisan. This was however slightly moderated by the deputy Governor, Professor Njoku, during his speech, when he said, “There is a season for political campaigns, a season for voting and elections. And there is a season for governance…We are now in the season of governance and we invite all our citizens to join hands with Senator Hope Uzodimma in this season of governance so that we can develop Imo State together.”

As part of the main Iwaji (Yam Cutting) observance, the MPR delegation was invited alongside other VIPs, including the Deputy Governor, Professor Njoku, and Ndi Ezeji to inspect the yam barn, and were subsequently honored with the culturally significant gift of a whole yam tuber.

The delegates, knowing the blessings associated with the gift of the tuber of yam were eager to touch and feel it. This recognition was not lost on the MPR Chief Program Director, Dr Jude Iheoma, who said, “I join our MPR Chairman, Professor Edward Oparaoji in thanking all our VIP delegates to the 2021 Iri Ji Mbaise, for taking out your time to advance the mission and vision of the Mbaise Policy Roundtable at this year’s Iri Ji. I look forward to following up with the request for road construction in Mbaise.”

This year’s Ji Mbaise was hosted at the Ahiazu Local Government Council under the leadership of Hon. Larry Chikwe, chaired by Ezeji Professor Tim Uzodinma Nwala and coordinated by Ezeji Dr Kachi Nwoga – an MPR member.

Also in attendance were the President General of Ndi Ezeji Mbaise, Ezeji Chief Charles Osuagwu, who welcomed Governor Hope Uzodimma to Mbaise, and the Chairmen of Ndi Eze for Ahiazu, Ezinihitte and Aboh-Mbaise LGAs namely, HRH Eze Sabinus Nwaneche, HRH Eze O. B. Nwaokorocha and HRH Eze Nwaturuocha respectively.

MPR Inc. is the premier pre-eminent Mbaise Public Policy and Business Advisory Council in the World, focused on partnering and/or collaborating with international entities, the Imo State Government and agencies, and the private sector to produce and advance policies that will fast track Mbaise and Imo State development.