A statement from the Director of Publicity and Mobilisation, Mbaise People’s Congress, Chuks O. Enwerem, said the 2017 Colloquium which is the 22nd edition has as its theme, “The role of the youth in the development of Mbaise.”
Eminent scholar, Professor Val Ekechukwu of University of Nigeria, Nsukka and formerly of National Universities Commission, will deliver the lead paper with the topic, “The Case for establishment of Mbaise University”, while Prof. J. U. J. Onwumere, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, will preside over the occasion.
According to Enwerem, former Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri will give the keynote remarks, while His Royal Highness, (HRH) Eze (Prof.) Benjamin A. Nwachukwu (Ihie 11 of Ife Ezinihitte) and a former Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, (FUTO) will be the Royal Father of the Day.
Distinguished and erudite discussants of the paper include: Professor Okwuoma Abanobi, Dr. Eddy Agulanna and Chief John Kemakolam (promoter of Lumina University Mbaise), among others, while the Chief Host is Barrister Cyril Anyanwu, President General, Ezuruezu Mbaise.
Illustrious sons and daughters of Mbaise who will grace the occasion include: Mr. Frank Nneji (founder, ABC Transport), Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Eze Chidume Okoro (Chairman, Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers), Hon Nnanna Igbokwe (member representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency), as well as members of Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Mike Iheanetu (Aboh Mbaise), Hon. Ken Agbim (Ahiazu Mbaise), and Hon. Bruno Ukoha (Ezinihitte Mbaise).
Distinguished Senator Chris Anyanwu, Prof Chinwe Obaji (former Minister of Education), Mr. Okey T. Eze (APGA Chieftain), Mr. Innocent Chukwuma (Head of Ford Foundation in West Africa), Prof TU Nwala, Mazi OCK Unegbu and Chief Hilary Eke (Chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC Imo State, among many others will also be at the occasion.
Commenting on this year’s Colloquium, Chairman Planning Committee, Obinna Onwunali said: “Mbaise Colloquium has remained a defining programme of Mbaise People’s Congress since 1995 and will continue to provide intellectual direction for the people of Mbaise in political, social and economic perspectives.”
National President, Mbaise People’s Congress, Ano Anyanwu, described Mbaise Colloquium as “one of the key projects through which Mbaise People’s Congress (MPC) pursues and executes its vision and mandate; he added that the MPC is a politically and socially conscious and intellectually vibrant community-based organisation with a robust pedigree in citizen mobilization at the community level and beyond.”