A Veteran Journalist and an Erudite Broadcaster with the Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) Chief Simon Igwe-Iroh has bagged a chieftaincy title in his community, Owutu in Edda Local Government Area of the state.

Igwe-Iroh was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Ugwu Ogo 1 of Utumakpa Kingdom (Pride of the community) by the community ‘s Traditional Ruler, HRH Ama Otuu–Uzor, the Utumakpa 10th of Owutu Edda.

The joyful occasion held at the community’s square was used by the people, to formally receive Ama Otuu Uzor as their traditional ruler having received his staff of office and certificate of recognition by Governor Francis Nwifuru .

The event was also used to honour individuals who play vital roles towards the development of the community of which Igwe-Iroh is among and include: the State All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman , Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha.

The Member representing Afikpo/Edda federal constituency in the National Assembly, Chief Iduma Igariwey among others, were also honoured..

The President of the Owutu Edda Town Union, Chief George Okoro said the event was to appreciate God for his benevolence on Edda people.

“We have gathered to receive and rejoice with our traditional ruler on his official recognition by the state government and to honour sons and friends of the community who have contributed to its development.

Addressing his people, HRH Ama Otuu Uzor thanked God and Governor Francis Nwifuru for making the occasion possible.

“I specially thank our illustrious son, Igwe-Iroh for standing by me when it mattered most.

“I will be the traditional ruler of all and make peace and harmonious co-existence, the planks of my reign.”

Chief gwe-Iroh said that he was happy that God made it possible for Owutu people to have a recognised traditional ruler after the death of the Utumakpa, the 9th.

“This is an act of God. as I seek a process of reconciliation..

“I urge the traditional ruler to forgive those who stood on his way during the struggle and to recourse to the the people, in the event of challenges,”.

iChief Iduma Igariwey, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha among other honoured personalities, congratulated the traditional ruler on the occasion and wished him a peaceful reign.

The Former State Commissioner for information and Orientation,, Chief Abia Onyike, the Owutu Woman Leader, Mrs Juliana Agwu among others also offered their goodwill messages.

They pledged to contribute to the successful reign of their new traditional ruler, and appreciated Governor Nwifuru for answering their prayers.

The Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR) hosted a remarkable wellness check and outreach program on January 2, 2025, at the Chris VI Hotel, Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria. The event, held during the MPR 2025 Summit, brought free medical services to the community and was hailed as a resounding success.

The outreach, led by Dr. Vitalis Ojiegbe, Dr. Chijike Ndukwu, Dr. Tobechi Nwachukwu, Dr. Lawrence Osondu, and other healthcare professionals and volunteers, catered to 100 participants, offering vital health services that left smiles on the faces of attendees.

Pre-Event Preparations

Preparations for the outreach began with the procurement and testing of medical equipment and medications donated by several healthcare professionals, including Dr. Reubie Eke, Dr. Promise Okafor, and HiChief Frank Ogaziri. Venue arrangements were meticulously handled, with banners, chairs, and tables set up for smooth operations.

Event Highlights

The wellness outreach, which ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., was professionally organized into stations:

1. Registration Desk – Led by Mazi Desmond Obani and his team, all guests were registered and given tags for seamless organization.

2. Nurses’ Station – Nurses conducted vital sign checks.

3. Mini-Lab Station – Urinalysis tests were carried out by Dr. Tobechi Nwachukwu, assisted by Ngozi Okechukwu.

4. Doctors’ Station – Free consultations were provided by doctors, including Dr. Vitalis Ojiegbe and Dr. Chijike Ndukwu, with prescriptions given as needed.

5. Pharmacists’ Station – Medications were dispensed and patients were counseled by pharmacists.

Health Education:

Dr. Vitalis Ojiegbe provided insightful health talks to attendees, emphasizing the importance of regular medical checkups and healthy lifestyles.

Impact and Diagnoses

The outreach diagnosed and treated various health conditions:

Hypertension: 17 cases

Diabetes: 12 cases

Urinary Tract Infections: 5 cases

Notably, one hypertensive patient, unaware of his condition, received immediate treatment and was placed under follow-up care. Medications were dispensed for all necessary cases, and two patients were referred for further medical attention.

Community Engagement

The event saw the active participation of local farmers, IT Google Scholarship recipients, and members of the community. A tea break, coordinated by Prof. Viola Owuliri and other volunteers, provided much-needed refreshment, ensuring all participants remained energized throughout the day.

Acknowledgments

The success of the outreach was attributed to the collective efforts of the MPR Summit planning committee, sponsors, donors, and volunteers. Key supporters included AUF Google Scholarship, Mater Farm, Array Farm, and Mbaise farmers.

In her closing remarks, Dr. (Mrs.) Tobechi Nnabugwu Nwachukwu expressed heartfelt gratitude:

> “This wellness outreach was a testament to the power of unity and commitment. We are deeply thankful to everyone who contributed to this mission. May we continue to reach out to our community and make the world a better place.”

Looking Ahead

The MPR team looks forward to an even larger outreach in the future, with plans to expand the scope and impact of their services.

For now, the MPR Wellness Outreach 2025 remains a shining example of compassion and dedication, reminding us all of the power of community-driven initiatives.

A Philanthropist, Mr Monday Elom has distributed empowerment items to victims of a devastating communal conflict in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

The distribution held at Azuofia Edda community of the council saw 45 widows alongside over 100 orphans and elders, receiving cash, food and empowerment items.

The business mogul said the distribution was to cushion the hardship faced by the people due to communal conflict with its neighbouring Cross River community in 2017.

“This is an annual event to assist the downtrodden in the once conflict–ravaged area which has been abandoned by relevant authorities.

“We are aware of the conflict which claimed several lives and caused untold suffering on the people.

“I realise daily that I have a very big burden which prompted me to celebrate in their midst.”

He urged relevant authorities and well-meaning citizens to assist the community because the people were starving and lacked essential amenities.

“I am just a business entrepreneur struggling to survive but we have politicians with wide connections.

“Most of the boreholes in the community for instance, are not functioning, as prominent personalities should not allow the people suffer.

“Most of their farmlands was seized by the neighbouring community during the conflict and they do not have where to farm presently.”

Elom appealed to the Ebonyi government to.look into the plight of the people to ease the suffering confronting them.

“Most of the inhabitants are displaced with over 500 houses burnt during the conflict.

“They cannot access their farmlands which were embargoed as part of conditions for peace during the conflict.”

The chairman of the occasion, Ogbuefi Emmanuel Nwokpoku thanked Elom for the gesture noting that he has the people’s interest at heart.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Treasurer, Mr Mathew Uguru also commended Elom and called on other illustrious sons of the community to emulate him.

Uguru represented by Coordinator of Enyi-Edda Development Centre of the council, Mr Reuben Edeh noted that relevant authorities have initiated moves to demarcate the disputed land.

They have also made other interventions to cushion the effects of the conflict on the people.

Mrs Josephine Oketa, one of the beneficiaries thanked Elom for the gesture and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon him.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate in the 2023 general elections in Ebonyi, Dr Ifeanyi Odii has urged  the citizens to sustain hope as they celebrate the new year.

Odii in a new year message he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki, urged Ebonyi people and Nigerians to propagate love, and hope of better days ahead.

The business mogul urged the people to anticipate the best experience in the new year which will definitely bring good tidings.

“We owe ourselves, our children, and future generations, continual  creation of thriving conditions to achieve set goals.

“We should never give up at all points in pursuit of our goals, particularly in our collective journey to goodness this year and beyond.

” I charge you to offer no room for excuses and have no options than  to succeed in 2025 and beyond,”

Odii urged the people to always pursue all that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report.

“We should embrace the duties, challenges and opportunities of the New Year and inspire solutions, faith, and goodness.

“I wish you all a prosperous new year,”