Igbo community holds Igbo Day in Kebbi, gets N5m donation

Ismail Adebayo, Birnin Kebbi 

The Igbo community in Kebbi State on Sunday held the annual Igbo Day celebration amid pumps and funfair, with Igbo sons and daughters from different fields of human endeavours in attendance.

According to the Igbo community public relations officer, Franklin Omeh, this year's Igbo Day was unique because it's the last the President -General of the association, Chief Samuel Nnamani would be presiding over before his tenure expires in February next year. 

Recalling the outgoing president general's contributions to the progress and development of the Igbo community in kebbi State, Omeh said "Chief Nnamani during his 10 year reign would be remembered for his contributions and landmark achievements. It was to his credit that the N21 million pavilion was built for Igbo community in kebbi by the federal government. 

"He was also instrumental to the N15 million revolving loan to members of the association. The tenure of a president general is 2 years but because of his capabilities, determination and contributions to the progress of the association he was returned many times. Its a period of 10 years now", Omeh said.

The height of this year's event of the Igbo association annual celebration was the presence dignatries across the political divide in the country. Earlier, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP registered his presence at the gathering with a donation of N5 million for the association through the PDP Governorship Running mate in kebbi State, Alhaji Samaila Salisu Bui in company of the party's publicity secretary in the state, Alhaji Sani Dododo and a host of other chieftains of the PDP.

Later, the APC Governorship Candidate, Dr Nasiru Idris (Kauran Gwandu) who could not attend the occasion because of his journey to Abuja sent in his representatives led by Alhaji Muhammed Hassan Shala, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in kebbi State.

In his good will message, Kauran Gwandu rejoiced with the association on the occasion of their annual Igbo Day celebration. He said Igbo community in kebbi have been living peacefully with their hosts for many years without rancor. He promised government's commitment to level playing ground for the Igbo in kebbi State while commending them for the support given to governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu administration.

The party officials that graced the occasion used the opportunity of the gathering to canvass for Igbo votes. Earlier, Alhaji Dododo in his address urged the Igbo community in the state to vote the PDP candidates at the state and national levels.He said the Abubakar Atiku/Okowa ticket is the best for Nigeria. "If unity of Nigeria must be upheld the PDP did the right thing by chosen Atiku and Okowa for the presidential race", Dododo said.

In his response, Chief Emeka Okafor, the Eze Ndigbo 2 said this is the first time a Vice Presidential Candidate is coming to rejoice with Igbo community on a day like this.