The Anambra State Liaison Officer, Mrs. Agatha Manafa has posited that it is good for leaders to choose capable hands especially youths to represent them as no one can be everywhere at the same time.

She made the disclosure in Abuja during the end of the year party of Aguleri Welfare Association, Abuja Branch. The occasion was also to honor the town’s illustrious sons and daughters who have excelled in their endeavors.

They used the occasion to launch their civic center project which is estimated to cost about seventy five million naira (N75, 000,000).

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Manafa who is a daughter of Aguleri thanked the Abuja Branch for honoring her. She said that she has been receiving awards, but pointed out that it is of Great importance that one receives award from her home town; it debuts that “charity begins at home”. 

On how she has been discharging her duties as the Liaison officer of the state, she said it has not been easy but having people at strategic places, who make sure that plans are executed as intended. She then advised that leaders should endeavor to have credible people to represent them at strategic positions. Her words “Every leader must have credible people who will represent them in executing their projects diligently ”.

She was full of praise for the governor who has trust in the youth. Mrs. Manafa posted that for the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano to make her the Liaison Officer in Abuja, it means that he has trust in the youth. She therefore enjoined the youth to come together and begin to think of the wellbeing of the state as she believes that “Taa bu Gbooo” (Today is still early).

“I am advising the youth to come out and take up the mantle of leadership as our elders have set up a good foundation for us to build on”, she concluded.

The chief host of the event, and the chairman of Aguleri Welfare Association Abuja Branch, Chief Alexander Ogugua was full of joy that the branch had eventually taken the bull by the horn by embarking on the Civic Center protection. The event which was to mark a successful end of year and to celebrate sons and daughter of Aguleri will be remembered by the launching of the Seventy Five million naira (N75m) Civic Center. Chief Ogugua said the branch has been longing for a place of their own where they will be having their monthly meetings which are every second Sunday of the month.

He thanked the youths of the community for championing the donation of over one point five million naira (N1.5m) used for organizing the event.

He said the branch honored some of their illustrious sons and daughter to spur them to do more; and to make other people aspire for greatness. Some of the people honored at the event according to him are; the governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano, Chief Mike Ejoh, Federal Civil Service Commissioner representing Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States, Mrs. Agatha Manafa, the state Liaison Officer in Abuja and many others.

Engr. Okechukwu Emmanuel Chikelue is a former chairman of Aguleri Welfare Association and the Vice President of Anambra State Towns People Association (ASTPA). He explained that the party was intended to bring the people of Aguleri together.

He thanked God for keeping members of the association from January to December and wished they would not lose anybody this year, as they lost somebody last year. He pointed out that when the hall is completed it will serve many purposes to the community. He said members will be having their events at the place; events like wedding; naming ceremonies etc, He said that the venue will be a source of income to the association through rentals.

He also thanked the youths of town for coming out in their numbers to lead in donating enough money for the event of the day.

Engr. Okechukwu said the association has many programs for the youth, one of them is poverty and skills acquisitions, which is being coordinated by a committee. He also revealed that the association mapped out some amount of money to be lent to youths of the town who are in need of funds to support their businesses. He revealed that the loan is interest free. What a beneficiary needs to do is to bring a guarantor who will pay if they default in repayment. He said that beneficiaries are given one year moratorium before starting installment repayment.

Chief Chinyelugo Mike Chukwuemeka Ejoh, is the Honorable Commissioner of Federal Civil Service representing Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi State. He was one of the awardees at the events.

He observed that once in a while communities gather to honor their illustrious sons and daughters who might have achieved some measure of success in life.

Chief Ejoh pointed out that youth involvement is germane in community development and said that any community that neglects youth involvement in development is doomed. He also explained that Aguleri is a self-sustaining community that believed in industry, as traditional farmers and fishermen.

He pointed out that the government has not done enough for the community but said the indigenes have been doing their best for themselves through self-help.

He was happy to say that oil has been discovered in the town and asked the government to do whatever they can for the community to start benefiting from the discovery.

Johnpaul Oforka is a youth and the secretary of Aguleri Welfare Association, Abuja Branch. He explained that the event which has its high point as the launching of Seventy Five Million Naira (N75m) Civic Centre Tagged Michael IweneTansi will mark a new beginning of the association. He said the Civic Centre is intended to be put into use by the end of 2022.

He also proudly said that the event of the day was championed by the youths of the community and enjoined the youths not to rest on their oars until the objective is achieved.

He explained that a lot of Aguleri people living in Abuja who are yet to join the association should come and join hands and move Aguleri forward.

The Chairlady leader of Aguleri Welfare Association women wing, Iyom Fidelia Ekwitosi Ameke, Odali-Iwu  Eje nga was at the event with her fellow women to support the men.

She said that the women will support the men with money and prayer and also advised them where necessary. Iyom Ameke talked about parenting. She said it is God that guides children. On the other hand she said that parents should always endeavor to know the type of company their children keep.

She therefore enjoined parents to always admonish their children and ward on what to avoid in order to become better citizens.