The people of Agwa, in another audacious search for peace and security, converged at the Irete Owerri-West country-home of Hon. Oscar Chima Ukemezie (JP), Ochiagha 1 of Agwa, to chat a new pathway.
The gathering, which was held under the aegis of Agwa Security Volunteer Assembly (ASVA), was to support the laudable efforts of Agwa Central Union (ACU) in combating insecurity and bandits-attacks along Agwa-Ejemekwuru road, Oguta LGA, Imo State.
In his remarks, the convener, Hon. Kingsley Obinna Jumbo, appreciated the people of Agwa for their self-help efforts in confronting their challenges, especially the scourge of insecurity that has affected the social life wire of the clan.
He profoundly saluted the leadership of Agwa Central Union (ACU) led by their amiable leader and a true son of the soil, Barr. Benson Akunya, the President-General, and his team for their selfless services to Ndi-Agwa, as well as reinvigorating the spirit of renaissance and communityship in Agwa for collective gains.
Jumbo, popularly called Akasambo, and the immediate past Agwa Development Centre Coordinator recalled that the first convergence of that Assembly took place on the 6th of January, 2025 at City Chef Hotel, with the aims of supporting ACU to win the war over insecurity, restoring Agwa to its serene nature, combating bandits attacks along Agwa-Ejemekwuru road, and mobilizing the local vigilante group to protect Agwa clan against the menace of banditry.
“I want to sincerely thank all of us who are here today for this meeting. By availing yourself here, it means you want the peace and development of Agwa. Every Agwa person should be thankful to the Agwa Central Union (ACU), the highest social-cultural body in the clan led by Barr. Benson Akunya and his team for showing that Agwa people can achieve great things with the right leadership”, he maintained.
According to him, there is no doubt that Agwa is returning to her peaceful and natural state after the years of deadly crisis that forced so many people out of the clan.
“This gathering is a volunteer security Assembly. It means that our job is very simple- to complement the efforts of ACU in security-related matters especially combating banditry along Agwa-Ejemekwuru road and other security challenges”.
“You all are all witnesses to the multiple bandit attacks on our roads, which so many of us have been a victim despite the efforts of ACU in combating the bandits. So, it is on this note that we gathered to tinker a forward for the security of Agwa and road users because if we all keep quiet, nobody will know the next victim”, he said.
The convener made a passionate appeal to those who are sitting on the fence to review their decisions and join the train of “A secured and peaceful Agwa”.
Speaking, Hon. Chima Ukemezie, Ochiagha 1 of Agwa, commended the humility of the attendees for making time to grace the meeting noting that such gestures are what Agwa needs now to navigate the murky waters of banditry along the affected roads as it is clogging the wheels of development in the clan.
Ochiagha appealed to Ndi-Agwa to always support ACU in their quest to reposition Agwa and bring permanent security to police the clan.
The Frontline contestant of the Oguta Executive Chairman position, and the Chairman of Niger Delta Youth Oguta South, also advised those who seem to be working across the line of communal purpose and fanning the embers of division to refrain from such a destructive path.
He posited that now is the time of forgiveness, healing, reconstruction, and empowering the people.
“I want to thank my leaders, PGs, and everyone here in a remarkable way for answering this clarion call, informing that Agwa is a people of big hearts and addresses.
“We are not mediocre and cowards; rather, Ndi-Agwa are special people and always spotted anywhere they find themselves, but, unfortunately, things are not going the way they should go, which prompted us to gather today.”
According to him, he was not brought up in a procrastinating manner, adding that his work ethic is pragmatically wired to achieve results, and as a realist, he does not romance with “O yes venture”, or bands of time-killers.
“Today’s meeting was not the first, it was held first at City Chief, which I attended, and the agenda of the meeting was timely enough to attract my attention. Having seen the logistics we faced in the last meeting, I saw the need to shoulder the cost of hosting the meeting today because Agwa must make progress in security, education, infrastructure, and otherwise”.
He further informed that Ndi-Agwa has been threatened, attacked, killed, rapped, looted, and molested enough by bandits on their roads, adding that It is his clear conviction that the people should rise to the occasion and do something positively different by protecting the lives of their people and other road users.
He also stated that he and Engr. Mike Akalador will pay #400,000 to bring paleloaders on Saturday for the clearing of Agwa-Ejemekwuru road for a better view and filling up bad spots for easy vehicular movements.
Also speaking, during the meeting, Hon.Casimir Ohamara, lauded the uncommon efforts of ACU leadership in restoring peace and normalcy in Agwa and reminisced about the 2024 Christmas celebration that was peaceful and loud in the clan, courtesy of ACU and Agwa Diaspora Forum (ADF), led by Prof. Humphrey Chukwuemeka Ugo.
Hon. Cassidy as he was fondly called and a serving Commissioner of ISOPADEC, enjoyed Ndi-Agwa to continue to support the effort of ACU and any initiative by individuals or groups of persons geared towards the restoration of peace and development of Agwa.
“I want to tell us that Agwa has come of age. We are not a baby clan. Agwa has been a hot trade in the socio-political and economic history of Oguta and Imo state. Our fathers and forefathers were known for their bravery in the sands of time and cannot box down to denigrate our exalted place in the annals of history”.
He regretted that what brought them out here was the threats of insecurity and bandits’ attacks on their lives and their loved ones, which some of them were victims of.
He, however, queried how Agwa people be feared among neighbors and not go home because of bandits who have sworn to destroy them, even as he challenged the people to mobilize the youths to legitimately sack them out of the land.
Others who spoke in support of protecting the Ubah Agwa -Ejemekwuru road against bandits attacks in the meeting were Hon. Collins Ugo Jumbo, a former aspirant of Oguta LGA Executive Chairmanship position,
Hon. Christian Okoro, Councilor, representing Obudi/Aro Ward in Oguta Legislative Council, Chief Vitalis Ekeh, President-General of Obudi, Mr. Tim Ejekwu- the President-General of Ubah Agwa Autonomous Community, Mr. Zimero, Mr. Omerigb, Comr. Laz Abiaziem, Mgbala Agwa Autonomous Community Youth Leader, Hon. Ugo Aguocha, former Councilor of Obudi/Aro Ward, and Mr. Alias Ucheobi.
Present in the meeting were, Hon. Williams Chinedu Okenesi, APC Secretary, Oguta LGA Imo, Comr. John Mbonu Uchenwoke-Ekperechi, former House of Assembly aspirant, Oguta State Constituency, the President-General of Uwaorie Ward, Mr. J.K. J, Asor, among others.
