When
the idea was muted in 1991 after the creation of the state by some vibrant
young men in the community, they were being laughed at as one of such clubs to
entertain the members and perhaps, a forum to make merry with ladies.
Nobody
took the Ambassadors Club of Awka serious, but today the group that has
blossomed to about 75 members has become the pillar of the house with
development agenda in the capital city.
It
has become the rallying point in solving internal conflicts in the community
and more over, gives scholarships to three Awka indigenes annually in the
fields of history, law and medicine.
The
club attached the scholarships to three eminent sons of the community that made
the land proud in their adventures like Late Prof. Kenneth Dike, the first Vice
Chancellor of University of Ibadan (UI) who majored in history.
Others
are the former Minister in the then Eastern Region, and the first Awka person
to read medicine in Nigeria, Late Dr. Nwoye Otuo and the first law graduate in
the community and the first secretary general of the Nigeria Bar Association
(NBA) in Nigeria, Late Chief Amanke Okafor.
The
Late Okafor served his tenure when the legal Icon, Chief Rotimi Fatai Atanda
Williams was the NBA President in the country.
Today,
the club is under the leadership of Collins Iloanya, a young man with quality
education acquired at the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG) to the
master’s degree in Public Administration.
Described
as a gentleman by the people of the community and members of the club, Iloanya
who says he is into genuine business and has never been in the wrong one to
disgrace his community, has indeed taken Ambassadors club to greater heights.
All
the members are either successful lawyers, Medical Doctors, Engineers,
Pharmacists, whether home or abroad and indeed who are into various land mark
businesses like shipping, Oil and Gas, Importation and buying and selling.
At
the weekend at the Annabel hotels and Suites in Awka, 15 new members of the
club were awarded their certificates of induction by the Chairman, Collins
Iloanya where the club held what it called its Annual general meeting (AGM)
Some
of the new members included the member representing Awka South I Constituency
in the State Assembly, Hon. Kenechukwu Chukwuemeka, who incidentally, is a
member of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Others
were Chuka Anueghuagu, Kene Ejiofor, Charles Nwakalor, Obinna Achusi, Omerah
Odum and Jekwu Ikem whose names were reeled out by the nights compere Chuks
Nweke with aplum and cheers.
It
was also, a display of cars, a display of food and wines and a display of
latest dance steps by the members and their wives including young guests that
were invited.
One
time Governorship aspirant in the State, and shipping magnet, Chief Emma Nweke
was equally in attendance, the only Awka name that was conspicuously absent was
Chief Ben Ndi Obi, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Inter
Party matters, but all his foot soldiers were present.
Chief
Ndubuisi Nwobu, former State Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria
(ACN) was in attendance also with the former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State
House of Assembly, Hon Kelue Molokwu.
Speaking
with the Nation, the State Coordinator, Transform Nigeria Movement
(TNM), Comrade Obi Ochije, a member of the Ambassadors Club, said the club had
been a rallying point for the community.
He
commended the leadership of the club for peace in the land and urged them to
continue in such manner, adding that with such situation, very soon the capital
city would be a heaven on earth.
Also,
Molokwu told the Nation that the club is attached to the three Awka
indigenes that made the community proud in discharge of their duties in their
different endeavours like Late Prof Dike at (UI), Late Otuo and Okafor in law
and medicine.
He
said the mission of the club is just to be good Ambassadors of the community to
show love and brotherliness and to help to contribute to the socio-economic
development of the community.
According
to him, “as pioneer members of the club, that dream started by Austine
Agagboncha has not died and I believe if the upcoming people stay together like
this, the community is in for more goodies in future”
For
the Chairman of the club, Collins Iloanya, their vision is to transform Awka
and indeed, Anambra State and to impact on their members a new idea and bring
generational change in the area.
“We
want to create an environment that even the 10th generation will not
rival, we want to revive Awka Culture and tradition and that is why the club is
called Ambassadors”
“The
club has already acquired a new land in the heart of the city worth over
10million naira and by 2015, it will have new secretariat where it will hold
its meetings and not in any hotel again”
“We
have chosen 30th of every December to hold our AGM, a date that can
not clash with any other thing as far as the club is concerned and that is why
we have gathered here to inaugurate the new members” Iloanya said
Already,
the new land has been fenced to be developed within the shortest possible time
according to APC’s Hon. Chukwuemeka.
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