Otu Odu Ojoto Launches "Light Up Ojoto" N100 Million Project
By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Otu Odu, a women association in Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State has launched "Light Up" Ojoto, a project which they embarked on for community development and to ward off crime and criminality in the community.
Speaking during the event at Igwe Palace Arena, Enugo Village Ojoto, Chief Mrs Cecilia Okeke-Eweni, the PRO who was also the Secretary, Project Planning Committee disclosed that Out Odu being the apex women's association in Ojoto is determined to permanently stamp its presence on Ojoto, through the introduction of this laudable project, 'Light Up Ojoto'.
She noted that the project aimed to beam light into every nook and crannies of Ojoto, thereby banishing the unsavory and restoring security in Ojoto.
The President of the Otu Odu, Chief Mrs Ngozi Anyabolu in her welcome address explained that "Otu Odu was founded in Onitsha in1880, formalized by Chief J.O. Etukokwu in 1959, spreading across Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Rivers, and Delta State. After decades of dormancy in Ojoto, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu revived the society, with the first new Iyom installations occurring on December 30, 2020.
According to her, Otu Odu members are women of integrity, contributing significantly to their communities. As the highest attainable position for women in Igbo land, members embody honor and excellence . The President announced plans to install 800 solar lights and poles across eight villages, commending Igwe Mbamalu for reviving the society and seeking divine guidance for his leadership.
Earlier in his speech, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Frank Ilonze lauded the women for the good work they embarked upon and vowed to continue to assist them having donated #5 million so far for the project.
He expressed disappointment with the youth, feeling earlier empowerment efforts were wasted. He sought accountability, saying, "We're willing to help, but they must show us how they've used the resources we provided."
Contributing, Chief Lawrence Edmund Anazodo, expressed satisfaction with the role of the Otu Odu women, stating that it is good to emulate good thing like this project being embarked upon by the women.
"What the women are doing is great, to raise #100 million for a project. I told the youths that they should stop crimes, vandalization of people's property. I think we should have suggestion box at Igwe's palace so that one can lay complaint there so that the women's effort will not be vandalized.
"We empowered the youths earlier with motor worth about #2 million but they could not utilize it well. We need that they should explain how they utilized the earlier empowerment project," he stated.
In her own contribution, Chief (Mrs) Uchenna Anyaeji Ilonzo, emphasised the importance of light, expressing optimism that the installation of the solar lights will curtail crimes in the area.
"There is nothing like light, that is the reason I have to travel from America to Ojoto, because of this project, we target #100 million and I hope in the next six months we may finish the project.
The Chief launcher, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, a former Chief of Staff to federal government and presently a member of the Southeast Development Commission commended the women for their efforts and urged the people to pray for him in his new appointment, assuring that the commission will better the welfare of the southesterners.
He also disclosed that he will rehabilitate some roads in the community to assist in making the community motorable, pointing out that his appointment is for the interest of Ojoto, Anambra and the entire Southeast zone.
Traditional ruler of Ojoto, Igwe Mbamalu, extolled the women's efforts, noting that this is the first community project in 30 years. "This is a laudable project; we must encourage and praise them for achieving what men couldn't."
He acknowledged that vandalization is a widespread issue but stated it's minimal in Ojoto. Igwe Mbamalu attributed this to empowering youths through employment, adding that his support was instrumental in the project's success.
* Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
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