Igbodo Community in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State was on Saturday thrown into jubilation following the emergence of the new President General of Igbodo Development Union (IDU) Mr Godwin Oji and his executives elected to oversee the affairs of the community.
The election was the highlight of the Igbodo Annual Conference 2024, convened by His Royal Majesty, Barrister Ikechukwu Nkeobikwu Osedume I, The Ikukuoma of Igbodo Kingdom.
Newsmen gathered that the absence of executives had contributed to various issues in the community, occasioned by the previous administration.
But after a keenly contested poll spearheaded by an electoral committee constituted by the Obi-in-Council during the conference.
Delegates to the conference were drawn from branches of the Igbodo Development Union at home and in the diaspora, including representatives of all the organs of administration, representatives of the quarters as well as the Igbodo Youths Associations and other Stakeholders.
The election, which was argued to be a great improvement on previous experiences, was conducted most peacefully and transparently.
Announcing the results, the Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr Monday Ebenuwa said, Mr Godwin Oji, who was elected, was the popular choice of the Igbodo people as the only candidate nominated to oppose him voluntarily withdrew himself in favour of Mr Oji.
Speaking after the election, The Obi of Igbodo Kingdom, HRM, Obi (Barr) Ikechukwu Osedume 1, expressed his satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the election.
He charged the PG and newly-elected executives of the Igbodo Development Union (IDU) worldwide to work diligently towards the overall development of the community.
He advised them, to carry the entire community along in the discharge of their duties.
Congratulating the new executives, the Traditional Ruler urged them to ensure that the bonds of unity in Igbodo remained intact.
He said, with his antecedent as the President of the IDU Warri branch for six years, Mr. Oji is a tasted, committed, and patriotic Igbodo citizen. Hence, he was chosen by the people to serve at a higher level.
He explained that the community has, through the election, demonstrated their preparedness to commence the journey of more development in their homeland because most of the executives elected are well-experienced.
The Monarch described the election as critical given the strategic position of the community to the state, as the food basket of the nation.
“he said to the people of the community We are all interested in promoting development across all quarters in the communities, through the entrenchment of democratically-elected town union executives,” he added.
Appreciating the people of Igbodo for their cooperation in coming out en mass for the conference from every part of the world, Obi Osedume described the election as one of the most transparent conducted in the history of the Igbodo community, Urging the PG and his Executives to work effectively towards giving the community more facelifts.
The royal father also thanked the outgoing Interim Management Committee for the service they rendered to the community selflessly for the past five years.
A stakeholder in the community, and the Odogwu of Igbodo Kingdom, Chief Ifeoha Azikiwe commended the role of the Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr. Monday Ebenuwa, in ensuring that the election was successful and conducted transparently.
The new Igbodo PG, Oji, In his acceptance speech, described the election as divine just as he commended the Obi and the electoral committee for delivering a transparent and credible election to the Igbodo people.
Words “I am happy that I was elected, I promise my leadership and executives will accomplish every task assigned to us, just as we will work for greater achievements for the community,” he said.
He pledged to work with his Executives and all critical organs in Igbodo to bring about more transformation in the town.
“We are all very happy and grateful to God for making today a reality. The expectations of the great people of Igbodo will be met because our tenure will be as transparent as possible and focused on meeting the demands of our people.
“I will, in my address to Igbodo people soon, present a detailed development agenda for the community”
“Once again I thank God Almighty and congratulate our people to whom this victory primarily belongs and I extend my hand of fellowship to my colleagues in the executive and enjoin them to join me in this onerous task of uniting and rebuilding our dear kingdom Igbodo” he stressed.
Among the Executives include first vice general,
Mr Ikechukwu Okwudi second Vice General,
Mr Nwaeke Justin, Secretary General
Mr Abel Uzu, Assistant Secretary General Mrs Esther Uche Anyia, Financial Secretary Mr Charles Apkese, Treasurer
Mr Michael Uyanne, PRO Mr Ekene Uzoma, Director of Social and Culture Mr Chima Azi, First Provost Marshall Mr Ifeanyi Ofili, second Provost Marshall, Mr Chinoso Akaba, respectfully.
