It was pomp and splendor at Umuekwune in Ngor Okpala LGA, on Saturday 31st August 2024 when Dr Matthew Amadi (Gburugburu) launched The Mazi Organization. The event which was unarguably seen as the biggest of its kind in the recent times, was attended by eminent Nigerian personalities and mammoth crowd from different walks of life. Indeed, it was a gathering of the creme de la creme of the Nigeriran society with mammoth crowd across the state.
As early as 8:am on Saturday, the crowd from far and near had started arriving at the primary school Umuehieze Umuekwune venue of the event. The environment was beautified with unique touch of decoration. The VIP tables were exquisitely draped with alluring white and red wraps of cloths and bouquets of flowers, each table tempting and inviting. Dignitaries from within and outside the state thronged the venue to be part of the historic event. The atmosphere of the occasion was electrified with the arrival and grandiloquent entry of the masquerade of the occasion, Mazi Dr Mathew Chima Amadi who was elegantly and magnificently dressed in his gorgeous purple-coloured ‘agwada’ attire with glittering gold-fancied cap, radiating beauty, panache and uniqueness.
His arrival which was heralded with canon shots elicited a thunderous ovation bursting into chorus of “Gburugburuuuuuu! by the crowd that thronged around to receive him. It took the intervention of the security personnels to disperse the crowd. He was accompanied to the arena by former Minister of state for education,Barr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, former Senator of Okigwe Zone, Senator Frank Ibezim, Hon Mathew Nwaoguala, member representing Aboh Mbaise Ngor Okpala federal constituency, Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu, Hon Emeka Onanamadu, former Enugu state REC and other dignitaries.
Many traditional rulers of Ngor Okpala were seen in their full regalia with their Ugoeze’s like; HRH Eze Fredrick Nwachukwu of Ngor, HRH Eze Geoffrey Okoro of Upe, HRH Eze Sabastine Obirieze of Ihitte, HRH Eze George Nwosu of Egbelu Umuekwune, HRH Eze Augustine Ekechi of Imerienwe, HRH Eze Eze Anthony Ekwe of Ezemba Community.
After the opening prayer by Rev Fr. Justin Obijuru of st. Patrick’s catholic church Umuekwune, the occasion was formally kicked-off with presentation of kolanut.
In his opening remark, the Coordinator of The Mazi Organization, Mr Obioma Calistus Onwuegbucha described The Mazi Organization as a force dedicated to empowering communities and achieving political and developmental goals. “The Organization is a testament to the power of collective action and Community spirit. We believe that by working together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves, our children and generation to come”.
When he was invited to the stage for his speech, the arena was on fire and tumultuous as the crowd combusted into a spontaneous ovation.
In his speech, Mazi Dr Mathew Chima Matthew said the occasion marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards creating a more equitable and sustainable future for local communities. “It is not just the launch of an Organization, it is the birth of a movement. A movement that will embodies hope, empowerment and collective action. A movement that seems to uplift our local communities, support those in need and create sustainable change from the group up”.
He added ” The idea I represent is an idea whose time has come, OGE ERULA!. As we stand here , we must realize that we are on the cusp of a new era where we must bring this idea to reality as it is dictated by our historical necessity, our sense of urgency, and a conviction that having found our mission, posterity will judge us harshly if we betray it. Like our people will say, “anyi ekwechirila”.
He therefore called for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”It is with the understanding of our vision for a peaceful Imo state, where our people can grow, go to school and do business that I solemnly lend my voice to the call for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from incarceration. I do this with the realization that peace is fundamental to growth. In recent years our dear state has become an unfortunate epicenter of violence and destruction. And I believe that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu can play a key role in the restoration of peace to our state”.
In their separate goodwill messages, Hon Dr Mathew Nwaoguala, Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu, Hon Henry Onwukwe, ADC delegation from Abuja, IPAC leadership and different support groups applauded the philanthropic gesture of Mazi Matthew Amadi and the idealogy of The Mazi Organization and called on the people of the state to queue in and support the movement and its initiative.
Highpoint of the occasion was the Inauguration of The Mazi Organization and empwerment of youths from different wards of Ngor Okpala.
The people who could not resist the Bongo lyrics of Bruno Udara Onye-Uwa, took over the centre stage and danced glamorously.
The event may have come and gone, but its echoes still resonate within the contours of the state firmament.
Other dignitaries at the event include; IPAC leadership in the state led by Hon John Iwuala, ADC delegation from Abuja, former member of Imo House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Crown, Chief Henry Onwukwe(Apitti), High Chief Val Okere (Amadioha Ngor Okpala), forum of Ngor Okpala former councillors, Hon. Uche Oguike, Barr. Collins Obilor, Chief Obed Nworgu of Arik airlines, Sir Cosmos Onyebuenyi, Dr Chigozie Okereke, over twenty five different support groups across the state.
