The epoch event was organized by the executive members of Item Development Association (IDA), which came into existence on May 27, 2007. The IDA was an offshoot of Item stakeholders’ meeting, which was convened by the Item Traditional Ruler’s Council (ITRC) at Amaokwe.
Central School Ameke venue of the Item Day celebration, was filled to capacity, as gorgeously dressed guests were thrilled with cultural dances such as Ikperikpeogu, Ogbu-Onye-Osi, Udunkulu, Achu-mpu, Aku or Ekpe, among others.
The occasion, which was chaired by one of the illustrious sons of Item community and the immediate past President of ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo apex socio- cultural organization, professor Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu, was a carnival, as it attracted dignitaries from the length and breadth of the country.
Among those present were the governor of Abia State, Dr. Theodore Ahamefula Orji, who, incidentally, is a titleholder in Item land, his Bauchi State counterpart, Mallam Isa Yaguda, who was the Diamond Guest of Honour on the occasion.
Others were: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo maduekwe and the former Secretary General of Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku.
In his welcome address, the president of IDA, Rt. Rev. Sunday Ndukwe Onuoha, expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to him and the members of his executive to serve the item people in their little way. He reiterated their willingness to go the extra mile in rendering selfless service to item community.
Onuoha explained that the IDA, which has ‘faith in God and selfless service to the people’ as its motto, is the apex and umbrella body for all item indigenes, designed to mobilize, sensitize and galvanize the people for peace, unity and progress. According to him, “Item is blessed with tremendous human and material resources. And the community is known for peace, unity and itself-help oriented people”.
He, however, expressed regrets that for year’s back, the Item, hitherto known for such good qualities, had become a ghost of itself owing to disunity, suspicion, insecurity, lack of focus and youth unemployment. He attributed some of problems of the people to the harsh economic policies of the federal Government, which has sent majority of item businessmen and women out of circulation.
He said: “Item is blessed with rich human and material resources, as the community is known for peace, unity and self-help spirit. “However, for some years now, the community, suspicion, insecurity, lacks of focus, youth unemployment and other economic constraints occasioned by some government’s draconian economic polices, which have pushed many Aba-based item businessmen out of business”.
He said that the ugly trend made the item Royal Council to convene the item stakeholders’ Meeting in 2007 to collectively seek a way out.
One of the high points of the meeting, was the election of the present IDA executive council which is saddled with the responsibility to put Item back on the track of peace and development.
According to Rt. Rev. Onuoha, the executive had gone into series of consultations and held meetings with different stakeholders, like president –generals of the nine villages in item, all branches of item town union/associations, youth organizations, elders and religious leaders. They also met with Item indigenes in Diaspora, as well as traditional rulers, captains of industries, politicians and indeed, technocrats.
Onuoha explained that after collecting and considering the suggestions of the item people, his executive conceived some programmes for the way forward based on the feelings of the people.
Hear him: “After collecting and analyzing the views and suggestions derived from item people, this executive conceived some programmes based on the feeling of our people on the way forward for the homeland".
The programmes for the progress of item include:
· That item community will be holding an annual praying and fasting day on every August 2.
· That item Day celebration, as a platform for fostering unity and building the culture of the people, would be held on every December 30 to showcase the item rich culture heritage, and as well, serve as a key instrument for tourism and development of the community.
· Introduction of economic programmes, such as establishment of micro-finance banks.
· Production of item development blueprint based on the order of needs and aspirations of the people for proper security and getting support and assistant from government agencies, friends and well wishers.
· Restoring and sustaining security and dignity of the homeland.
· Reviving the item rich way of giving honour to those who rendered selfless services to item homeland.
Meanwhile, more than N15 million was raised on the occasion, as Bauchi State governor, Mallam Isa Yaguda and his entourage donated more than N7 million to the community, while the Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji, donated N1 million.
As part of the event, some prominent citizens of Item and their friends, who had contributed positively to the development of the community, were honoured with awards, which came in different categories, like: Item Grand Merit Award (IGMA). Item posthumous Award (IPHA), Item Merit Award (IMA) and Item Services Award (ISA).
Recipients of the IGMA, which is the highest honour for the people were: Governor T.A. Orji (Ike Oha of Item), Mallam Yaguda, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former NDDC chairman, Chief Sir H.U. Osoka, Prof. Joe Irukwu (SAN), Elder Chief N.I. Uko and Chief E.O. Elendu.
The recipients of IMA were Chief Akwari Ukpabi, Prof. S.O. Igwe, Chief Johnny Ukpabi, Hon. Mba Ajah, Sir Ndukwe Michael, Osogho Ajala and Chief J.C. Ogwo.
Those for the IPHA were: Chief Ugorji Eke, Chief Agwu Obike, Chief Onyeabo Mba, Prof. Kesandu Okoronkwo Ogan, Chief Ogbonnaya maduka, Chief Orji Agwu and Mrs. Jane Egbichi Oteh.
Recipients of ISA were: Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe, Chief Robert Okoronkwo Udeagha, Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu and Chief Rex Iko.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of Item Traditional Royal Council (ITRC), His majesty, Eze Maxwell Eme Dimgba, thanked the guests for abandoning their tight schedules to be part of the Item day celebration. The royal father, on behalf of the council, also thanked the President of IDA and his team for the good job done. He, however, regretted that no Item citizen was considered for any federal appointment in the current administration of President Umar Musa Yar’ Adua, when, according to him, there are, many competent hands in the community. He expressed hope and confidence that the situation could still be remedied.
He also used the opportunity to call on the federal Government to bring some Zimbabwean farmers to Item for commercial farming, as the community has vast arable land for agriculture and other sustainable development opportunities. The item day was concluded with the election of a new chairman for the Item Traditional Royal Council, following the stepping down of Eze Eme Dimgba, the Akpa of Akpa Eme Autonomous Community. His Royal Highness, Eze Agbeze Agbeze of Akpa-na-Agbo Autonomous Community was elected as the new chairman of the Council.
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