Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State Nigeria, August 17, 2021: The Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR), a non-governmental organization with offices in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria and New York, USA, recently sent a powerful delegation to represent her at the just concluded 2021 Iriji Mbaise (New Yam) festival which held at the Ahiazu-Mbaise Local Government Council on August 15.
During his time at the podium the leader of the delegation who is also her Deputy Director for Culture Sir Desmond Obani, 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. He followed with a message to the Governor of Imo State His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma through his deputy, His Excellency Professor Placid Njoku present, regarding the terrible state of roads in Mbaise, and requested that something be done to urgently rehabilitate them. Sir Obani went further to specifically point at the Aba branch -Mbaise – Okpuala Road, which he said has become a death trap to users in the three local government area of Mbaise. He also reaffirmed that the objectives 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 in attendance were, a two-times Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency 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 of 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, there is 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 of 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, MPR delegation was invited alongside other exclusive VIPs Including the Deputy Governor Professor Placid 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 associated blessings of the gift 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 delegation to the 2021 Iri Ji Mbaise, for taking out your time to advance the mission and vision of the Mbaise Policy Round table at this years’ 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 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.
