By Our Correspondent
Indigenes of Umuowa Autonomous Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State resident in Lagos under the umbrella of Umuowa Progressive Union (UPU) Lagos branch on Sunday 8th of December 8, 2019, held their annual get-together with pomp and pageantry.
The get-together marks formal closing of meetings for the year 2019. It was well attended by men and women wings of the Union, including children. It was a very colourful occasion as it started with praise worship and prayer led by one of the sons of Umuowa, Pastor Ogechi Okwaraji.
Thereafter, the occasion was formally declared open by the Chairman, Umuowa Progressive Union, Lagos branch, Nze Onyewuchi J.K. Ojinnaka.
Suffice it to say that activities to mark the end of 2019 meetings started in November meeting when both wings of the Union organised a prayer session to thank God for His goodness and mercy, while also asking for protection of Umuowa sons, wives and children in Lagos and beyond and grant them journey mercy for Christmas and New year celebrations, bring them back to Lagos after the festivities.
On the ‘D’ day being Sunday, 8th of December, 2019, the party was held.
In his address at the occasion, the Chairman, Umuowa Progressive Union (UPU) Lagos branch Nze Onyewuchi J.K. Ojinnaka thanked everybody for their support and cooperation to his administration in running the affairs of the Union for the year 2019.
He urged members to be active in the Union and charged those who have adult sons to persuade them join their kinsmen in the Union.
” Members should persuade their adult children to identify with the Union. It is good to belong. Financial involvement is very minimal. It is majorly dues”, Nze Ojinnaka said.
He commended those who made donation for the party. He expressed appreciation to Mr Okey Nwuke who gave the Union a cow for the party.
The Chairman also appreciated the End of Year Party Committee headed by Mr Peter Ibezim. He commended the committee for raising the funds, planned and executed the get-together successfully.
He reminded members that the first meeting of the year 2020 will hold on first Sunday of February at the meeting venue with praying session to thank God for journey mercy.
There were funs during the party such as dancing and quiz competitions by children which aroused excitements among the children and parents. Winners in both competitions were given prizes.
Most exciting activity was the quiz competition in which children were called out and each was asked to mention names of their father, mother, kindred, village, town, local government and State.
It was very funny and exciting exercise as most children failed the quiz. Most of them do not know where they came from.
Surprisingly, only about 5 children passed the test and were given prizes by UPU Chairman in order of performance.
Parents were implored to educate their children on where they originated from, starting from immediate family name to the State level.
” Knowing the root and origin of where somebody comes from is very important”
” Parents should inculcate to children the sense of knowing their parents names and where they came from”, he advised.
Similarly, the Chairman advised parents to interact with their children in Igbo language.
Also, President of Women Wing, Mrs Emelda Igwegbe, implored parents, especially the mothers who often stay with their children to imbibe the culture of interacting with their children in Igbo language and as well educate them on where they came from.
According to her, the quiz competition has become an eye opener that most of our children are ignorant of where they came from.
CHARITY WORK/VISITATION
Two philanthropic sons of Umuowa Progressive Union Lagos used the opportunity created by the get-together to donate wrappers (Abada Cloths) and bags of rice to widows in the Union to share.
While Mr George Nnanna donated rice, Pastor Ogechi Okwaraji donated the cloths.
Also in the spirit of Christmas which expresses love and affection, UPU Lagos branch paid visit to ‘The Life Changer Less Privilege Home (a Motherless Babies Home) in FESTAC, Lagos and donated various items such as indomie noodles, toiletries, vegetable oil, custard, soaps, lotions, semolina, golden morn amongst others.
Similar visit was also made in a less privileged home at Orlu, Imo State by UPU Lagos branch.