By Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel
LAGOS DECEMBER 20TH (URHOBOTODAY)-An umbrella body of all indigenes of Umeh Community in Isoko South, Delta State, Umeh Improvement Union, celebrated its fifty years its existence. As part of activities to mark its golden jubilee the body bestowed honour on important dignitaries who have contributed in one way or the other on the development of the community.
The ceremony held on Wednesday 18th December, 2013 at the community secondary school field saw the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, honoured for constructing the age-long abandoned community road, while Port Harcourt-based Lawyer and Administrator of Umeh Need Road Forum was honored for drawing the Governor’s attention to the plights of Umeh
Also in the award list was the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on NDDC, Chief Ferguson Onwo who was honoured for restoring electricity to the community, while High Chief Iduh Amadhe alias Ajuwawa was honored for financing the grading of the community road sometime past
Others are; Hon Leo Ogor for attracting the street light and Health centre to the Community though still under construction, while the member representing Isoko South Constituency II in the state house of Assembly, Hon. Johnson Erijo was honoured for facilitating the commencement of the community electricity project. Hon Alade Odiri was honored for the development of the old health centre and many others.
Speaking after receiving his award, Barr. Duncan Afahokor thanked the community for finding him worthy to be recorgnise and promised to do more to ameliorate the plights of the people. He immediately made a cash donation of Five Hundred Naira (N500, 000) as bursary funds for indigene students of higher institutions who will be returning to school following the suspension of the strike embarked upon by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The money will be administered to qualified beneficiaries by Umeh Improvement Union.
On his part, Chief Ferguson Onwo donated the sum of one hundred thousand naira (100,000) to the community as appreciation for the honour done him. He then promised to roof the community town hall, a self-help project embarked upon by the community. He then instructing his engineers to cost the project and return to him so that job can immediately commence.
High Chief Iduh Amadhe presented goats and twenty thousand naira to the community and urge them to redeemed the promise of land made to him, so that he can make Umeh community a second home.