THISDAYonline

An Igbo Socio-Cultural Organisation, Ezienyi C-lub Arochukwu, recently honoured 12 outstanding indigenes at a ceremony in Lagos for their unalloyed contribution to the development of Arochukwu in particular and Igboland in general.

Beside the award, the club also organised an annual business meeting at which a lecture entitled: "Change Management" was delivered by a professional Banker, Mr. Chima Dike

The award recipients inlcude Managing Director of Neimeth, Mr. Sam Ohanbuwa, Mr. Dan Kanu, Mr. Chima Dike, Mr. Uzoma Nwankwo, Mrs. Okolie Okpara and Mr. Lawrence Okunu.

Others were Mr. Wanji Ezeani, Mr. Mike Okereke, Commissioner of Police (CP), Co-operatives, Mrs. Uche Okoronkwo, Mr. Emmanuel Kanu Okorafor and Mr. Ike Ibe.

President of the Club, Mr. Kingsley Okpo, in his welcome address, stated that the forum was to enable members, Umu Aro, friends and well wishes of Arochukwu Kingdom to discuss issues and raise opinions, which border on economic and social development of the Arochukwu Kingdom.

He explained that the Ezienyi Club initiated the All Aro National Conference, which had proved to be very successful, adding that it had in no small way touched the lives of their people positively.

In his words: "Arochukwu has suffered so much neglect, therefore, all hands must be on deck to restore Arochukwu to her former glory and build a greater Arochukwu. There must be a common ground to meet our common goal in order to preserve the greatness bequeathed to us by our forefathers. The common goals are peace, unity, education, political relevance and the development of Arochukwu Kingdom".

He said the event was a special one because the Club had chosen the occasion to appreciate and honour some of their outstanding sons and daughters, who have made impact on the Club and on Arochukwu as a whole.

The president explained that another reason why the men and women of distinction were honoured was to tell them that service to the people never goes without honour and to encourage others, who are in position to be of assistance not to hesitate to do so in which ever way possible.

He added that the people honoured had identified with them, shared their ideals, supported their efforts to realise their objectives, given them their time, money and advise whenever they called on them, appealing that their sons and daughters in position of authority and influence endeavour to contribute always to the development of their community.

Okpo assured that as part of the positive changes, which the Club has been championing, it was to build a recreational facility in Arochukwu, which would include a tennis court, gymnasium, well stocked bar that will be closed to what is obtainable in big cities in Nigeria.

Enumerating their achievements in the past, Okpo said the club had renovated a ward at the General Hospital, Arochukwu, and organised a health carnival to create awareness amomg the people on some killer diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressures and HIV/AIDS among others, adding that they were ready to do more with the people's assistance.

Presenting the lecture on "Change Management", Dike stated that the problem of Ezienyi people was that they had not developed change management, adding that to have a change, they have to put into operation what they have not done.

He noted that they can do better in agriculture because the land is located in a valley, pointing out that the problem has more to do with methods and techniques.

According to him, the people need to posses political and analytical skills, understand people's skill and have business abilities and have business skills to achieve the desired change in their ways of life and development.