By Austin Chukwudi
• Pledges more people-oriented infrastructure
• The future is bright for our people – Chief Frank Egwu
Compassionate Ejeme Professionals Association (CEPA), a group of public-spirited professionals and technocrats from Ejeme Kingdom, is set to take a giant stride in giving back to their community, Ejeme in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State by providing a sustainable solar power system.
The initiative, set to be inaugurated in a few weeks, aims to provide energy solution to light up the roads, streets and alleys – potentially bringing the much needed illumination to the community.
Speaking during CEPA 2nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Ejeme Aniogor; the President, Chief Frank Egwu, Ebube Dike 1 of Ejeme Kingdom, stated that the “project is not just about energy, it is about vision, empowerment and a brighter tomorrow” for the community. He added that the initiative will add more values to the lives of the people, which is the focal point of CEPA’s vision.
On the group’s futuristic plans, Chief Egwu assured the people of a brighter future that will be anchored on expansion of CEPA’s membership and synergy among the group that will usher more dividends on “as needed basis” to ensure that “practical, impactful efforts that speak directly to the needs” of the community permeates every nook and cranny of Ejeme Land.
The President further said that Compassionate Ejeme Professionals Association is constantly guided by the founding purpose – to uplift, serve with integrity and make Ejeme a better community.
He urged for cooperation, compassion and believe in the vision among the professional for more positive actions towards lasting change that the people want to see.
At the AGM, papers were presented, among which was the very topical issue of the deepening rot in Nigerian educational system. Presented by Prof. Nkem Onyekpe, Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT), CEPA, the paper took a trip down memory lane to the regime of army generals in the 1980s and 90s when the academia was brought to its lowest doldrums – engendering “what we have now as varsity education [which] is worse than abysmal nothingness”.
Prof Onyekpe also noted that over the past four decades, the low standard of education has continued to bother the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) whose efforts to mediate enhancement of educational standard had never been heeded, instead, their efforts continued to be “pooh-poohed and disparaged”.
The University Don also spoke on the touchy issue of marauding herdsmen and bandits in the Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria, which is visiting anarchy, bloodshed, genocide and trails of destructions. He said that while the herdsmen and bandits are perfecting strategy to make more ingress, murder, destroy, maim and scorch the earth, the Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria are still in deep slumber.
He called on the people of the regions to band together against further invasion by the criminal elements to ensure sanctity of life for all.
Another paper presented by Paul Ejime Egwu, focused on retirement. Mr. Egwu urged retirees not to feel retired but to step into the new phase of life with a zeal to “refire”. As you step out of office for the new phase of life, you should chart a new course for your welfare and strive to be relevant to society, he said. He urged all retirees to actuate their experience while in active service to refocus, as the years ahead are still fruitful if approached with positive mindset.
Mr. Egwu further advised retirees to always exude confidence and use their gratuity as well as savings while at work wisely, especially in investing in well-researched portfolios and agriculture in order to always have financial safety nests as they age.
He stated; “Retirement should be seen as graduation, not termination…If you choose to retire [or retire statutorily], you will discover that your golden years can truly be golden”.
At the end of the meeting; the professionals pledged continuous development of Ejeme Land by investing in more infrastructure that will assist the people to be self-reliant for enhanced living for all.
Other members of the executive committee who attended the meeting were; Chief Onyeka Okoh – Vice President, Dr. Henry Chidi – General Secretary, Dr. Ifeyinwa Asuzu – Assistant General Secretary, Ogbuenyi Innocent Isieh – Financial Secretary, Major (Rtd). Dickson Okpor – Treasurer, Dr. Chika Ogonwa – Public Relations Officer.