Owerri, Okigwe, Orlu towns agog over Imo@50 celebration

By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri…

As part of the activities marking the week-long Imo@50 celebration, the Sub-committee on Sports Committee headed by the Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Evaristus Obinna Onyeocha on Friday organized a tour of the three senatorial zones of the state with no fewer than 50 motorbikers participating.

The powerbike riders popularly called ‘Heartlanders’ who were cutely kitted accompanied by security vans left in a motorcade from the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri at exactly 1:43pm enroute to Okigwe LGA, the contingent’s first port of call.

The enthusiastic bikers before proceeding on the long ride across the state had a demonstration performance at the Government House Roundabout before the long convoy proceeded to Okigwe zone; with men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, leading the way.

The journey from Owerri to Okigwe measuring a distance of 92.2km, Okigwe to Orlu 62.1km and Orlu back to Owerri 42.9km covered a total distance of 197.2km and took a total of 02hrs :47mins to complete.

During the tour, flag stops and brief receptions were organized for the visiting Imo@50 contingent at Police Field, Okigwe, Orlu Council and Owerri Municipal Council headquarters respectively; where the Executive Chairman of each of the areas and large crowd of enthusiastic Imolites welcomed the team and warmly received the Golden Jubilee Flag celebration with joyful heart.

In their separate welcome speeches, the Chairmen of Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri LGAs: Hon. Lady Nkechi Mbonu, Hon. Pastor Chris Mbarie and Hon. Chidi Emeribe respectively, appreciated the vision and efforts of Governor Hope Uzodimma in transforming the state especially in the area of infrastructure, security and urban renewal.

The elated council chairmen who spoke on behalf of their respective zones applauded the initiative of the state government to make the grassroot part of the 50th anniversary through the zonal tour/roadshow stressing that the Uzodimma administration has set the pace for Imo to attain greater heights ahead.

Speaking during the visits, chairman of the Sports Sub-committee and Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Evaristus Obinna Onyeocha commended the three zones for standing firmly behind the state government in the pursuit and realization of a new Imo of a collective dream.

The commissioner who was represented by his Special Adviser, Comrade Greg O.C. Nwadike explained that the one-day zonal roadshow/tour was designed to make people in all parts of the state partake of and witness the Imo@50 celebration.

He noted that the journey from Owerri through Okigwe to Orlu and back to Owerri in record time was made possible by the massive road revolution and restoration of security across the state by the Uzodimma administration.

Onyeocha congratulated the government and people of the state for taking part in the Golden Jubilee celebration emphasizing that the governor is proud of Imolites and they have good reasons to roll out the drums and merry for the state’s 50th birthday.