By Dorcas Samson Achi
Rt.Hon Barr Arthur Egwim (Akuabata) the honourable member representing Ideato North Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly Owerri on Saturday 15th of August celebrated his birthday in a grand style with the widows and the indigents during which he handed over a three bedroom well furnished bungalow to a widow, Mrs Elizabeth Onwuka from Umuezemazu Urualla, in Ideato North LGA.
The momentous birthday anniversary witnessed a Thanksgiving Service at St John’s Catholic Church Parish, Isiokpo, the issuing of CBN/NIRSAL certificate to successful loan applicants from Ideato North and South, LGAs sharing of palliatives and empowerment to Ideato North widows and a sumptuous lunch with the less privileged, orphans, poor widows and special citizens.
The climax of the occasion was the hand over and official opening of the building built by Hon Egwim for the widow, Mrs Onwuka, whom incidentally is fifth beneficiary of his building benevolence.
Chief Declan Nwabia, the chairman of Umeueshiahuruike Progressive Union in his address at the occasion praised Hon Egwim for causing his community to rejoice because of the good thing done for a poor widow. He described it as a great milestone that was achieved for the good of mankind and also requested for the government’s intervention in road construction, provision of portable water, drainage system, electricity and transformer to the community.
Reverend Father Desmond Nwanyanwu, the St Stephen’s Catholic Parish Priest described Hon Egwim as a humble politician with a difference and a great personality whose political future speaks of a litany of progress. ”You have shown the real charity by fulfilling the promises you made in the church to God and humanity. You provided uniforms for the church choristers and built an adoration chapel. Your behavior shows that you are an ex-Seminarian. A lot of politicians make promises without fulfilling them but as a man of your words you have fulfilled yours before the expected time, he maintained.
Mama Elizabeth Onwuka, the widow who received the well furnished apartment expressed her ecstasy. She recalled her deplorable condition as a poor widow who also lost her first son and has suffered severe sicknesses due to hardship. She stated that on receiving the house, she has also received a miraculous healing.
Hon Egwim who is also the Chief Whip in Imo State House of Assembly expressed his joy at the overwhelming love showed on him during the birthday celebrations by his constituents adding that there is nothing too big in the house he has built because it pays to do good. “We are like strangers who are passing by. This world is vanity and not a permanent place” he added
While addressing journalists at the event, he declared his interest to go for The Federal House of Representatives Abuja where there is financial autonomy for lawmakers, stressing that with financial autonomy he will be able to attract an enviable level of development and growth that will affect Ideato nation and beyond, positively.
Presentation of gifts to Hon Egwim were made by many people including Ideato Nation Youth Assembly, Ideato North APC, St Stephen’s Catholic Parish Isiokpo, Umuezemazu Community, Eze Onyeasi, political leaders from Umuezemazu Autonomous Community amongst others.
Some dignitaries that graced the occasion were Hon. Prince Obinna Okwara, the honourable member representing Nkwerre in the Imo state House of Assembly, Eze Dr Ofonze (JP), Eze Aloysius Igbojionu Ezeudo, the traditional ruler of Umuezemazu Autonomous community Urualla, the excos of Orluzurume Youth Assembly, amongst others.
