By Sam Asoluka

Members of Imo State Union (UK) at their Annual General meeting recently elected new Executive Officers to run the affairs of the Union for the next two years.

In an election devoid of rancour and acrimony the members unanimously elected Mr Chuks Ogbonna, a Solicitor, of the Supreme Court of England as the President of the Union. Other members who were elected on the day are:

Mr Chrys Diala, Vice President, Chief Frank Abanihi, secretary General; Chief Chika Nwokorie, Financial Secretary; Prince Tagbo Nzekwe, Publicity Secretary; Chief Ekwueme Nwokeji, Education and Culture Secretary; Ms Rufina Adimora, Social Secretary; Mr Ofornze Ejiofor, Assistant Financial Secretary; Chief Chima Oparaugo, Assistant Social Secretary; Mrs Chinyere Alaneme, Welfare Secretary; Mr Leonard Anyanwu, Treasurer, Chief Mike Solomon (Oguabadike) Provost and Augustine Kekeocha, Political Secretary.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Chuks Ogbonna thanked members of the Union for unanimously electing him as the President and pledged to work hard to take the Union to the next level. He praised the former President Nze Onyeka Uzoukwu for all the efforts and sacrifices he made to strengthen all aspects of the Union and promised that there would be a better time in the nearest future to appreciate him and his team for the excellent work they did for the Union.

‘I will work hard and will be guided by the Constitution of the Union, hoping to receive from every member the same cooperation and support given to my predecessor. Those who know me can testify that I am hard on myself and I will in the same vein be hard on every member of the Executive. We have been elected to serve the Union and the trajectory the former President has brought this Union to, please we must aim to surpass it’, he said.

In his valedictory speech, Nze Onyeka Uzoukwu said ‘I am stepping down from office today, having completed the maximum four year term set by the constitution. I am satisfied that the affairs of the Union are far better than it was when I assumed office. As you have heard from the Financial Secretary, the Union has a hefty our bank account, we have better discipline and decorum, the welfare provision in the constitution is consistently upheld to deserving financial members, the Imo Family Day has consistently held in the last four years, the welfare of the membership is taken care of at every meeting in the last four years and the Union’s financial membership is vibrant and strong.

Indeed, it is not often that leaders are able to accomplish their election promises. I will however leave it to you ladies and gentlemen to draw your own conclusions. On my part however, I have no regrets. Governance is all about continuum and I hope that the incoming administration will continue to move the Union forward and in the right direction.

The new President thanked the former Executive Officers for serving Imo State UK meritoriously in their various capacities.

Imo State Union UK is the Umbrella Organization of all Imo state Associations, Town Unions etc. in the United Kingdom.