Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
“We can’t look at the map of the world not realizing our place therein and the role determined for us by the place”.- Gamal Abdel Nasser.
History will be made on Thursday 26th January,2023 as Agalaba Patriotic Forum celebrates her first ever convention. On that day, all roads will lead to to RowMay Hotels Limited, along Opobo Road, Aba. The witness will witness the convergence of men from all walks of life.
Agalaba(known as Obingwa East in the political parlance) is the area compromising the five, out of the 11 wards in Obingwa local government area. The wards constituting Agalaba are wards 7,8,9,10 and 11.
The event promises to be a great intellectual feat as a harvest of paper presentations will be witnessed.Engr. Uzoma Onuoha, Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director, Eckleen Integrated Services Nigeria, will chair the occasion . First key note address will be delivered by Mr. Kingsley Nwobilor, Managing Director,Abia Small and Medium Enterprises Bank, on the topic” The role of Agalaba Youths on SME and Economic Development. The second keynote address will be delivered by an erudite scholar, Prof. Joel Ogbonna, immediate past Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port-Harcourt on the topic” The Role of Patriotism in Making a 21st Century Agalaba man”. The topic”The socio- economic & Political Status of the Agalaba man in the 21st century will be delivered by an erudite scholar, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu(PhD).
Agalaba Patriotic Forum was established as a socio-political and economic forum to advance the social, political and economic yearnings of the Agalaba people. The aims and objectives establishing the forum are: to encourage legitimate efforts towards economic, cultural, and socio-economic development of members; to promote activities for simulation of growth and development of Agalaba people towards good citizenship; to promote sense of oneness among members; to strive for the development advancement, peace and progress of Agalaba land, and by extension, Ngwa land; to encourage youth development programmes; to encourage human capital development.
There is one pertinent question that should agitate the minds of the here: “Has APF delivered on the mandates of these aims & objectives?” The answer is a resounding yes. The forum’s annual football competition for the five wards is an event to watch and ranks as one of the best in development football in the state. The competition parades the best legs and highly talented players within Agalaba. Also, many lives have been saved, and succour granted to the indigent persons within and beyond Agalaba through the forum’s medical outreach, which is held periodically. The forum has also hosted strong interventionist efforts in the education sector which part of it is distributing education materials to schools. These are among other numerous laudable gestures and efforts the forum has engaged in.
The following persons have presided over the affairs the forum as presidents. They are Mr. Obinna Ugboaja, Comrade Ikechi Nwaigwe, Mr. Michael Dimiri, and presently Mr. Charles Eneogwe.
The timing for this August event is apt in all ramifications. First, the convention will serve as a home coming for Agalaba sons and daughters. Second, as the nation engages in another season of politics, it will afford Agalaba sons and daughters the opportunity to brainstorm and chat the way forward. Third, it will afford Agalaba sons and daughters the opportunity to hear from one of their own, the Executive Governor of the state, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu (PhD) on the socio- economic and political status of the Agalaba man in the 21st century. Fourth, the occasion will feature the presentation of awards to deserving sons and daughters of Agalaba, conferment of chieftaincy titles on illustrious sons and daughters, and induction of members.
Once again, we thank the current president of the forum, Mr Charles Eneogwe for his perseverance and for taking the forum thus far despite mounting challenges. This buttresses the quote that” uneasy lies on the head that wears the crown”, and Branch Cabbel quote” The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true”.
Also worthy to mention are the untiring and laudable efforts of the Convention Planning Committee, ably chaired by Comrade Chibuzo Nwogu. You deserve a resounding kudos.
On this note, all are invited to this great and historic occasion.
APF, Oganihu Agalaba! Oganihu Agalaba, APF!
Long live, APF! Long live ,Agalaba! Long live, Obingwa! Long live ,Abia State! Long live, Nigeria!
