v Pledges synergy with Ministry of Youth & Sports
By Martin Nwoko
History was made on Saturday 17th October 2020 when the prestigious “Orlu Recreation Club ” inaugurated its 13th President alongside other members of the 2020 – 2022 National Executive Council (NEC) of the great club.
The foremost club which began its existence in the year 1930 by the Colonial Masters and District Officers that came to Orlu and Okigwe has sustained its existence over the years with prominent indigenes of Orlu LGA as members and principal officers. They used the club house for recreational activities like Tennis, Draught and other sporting activities to enhance longevity and body fitness.
Immediately after the exit of the Colonial Masters and District Officers, top indigenous civil servants who associated with the White men then saw reasons to continue the club activities and as well started erecting buildings which has metamorphosed or transformed into a modern day club, like the Ridge Club in Umahia, Abia started also by the colonial masters.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion Chief Joseph Chukwuka Obi, (Ide Ji Ulo 1 of Obiohia Ancient Kingdom) described the new executive of the club as a set of people that will bring more development to the club in no distant time. As the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Obi used the opportunity to applaud the newly elected President of Recreation Club, Hon. Engr. Achinike Onyeka O’Bright, for starting on a good note by attracting new projects some of which are ongoing in the club.
While delivering his presidential address, the global President, Recreation Club Orlu, as referred, His Excellency Hon. Engr. Achinike Onyeka O’Bright thanked members of the club for giving their mandate to the new executive committee to serve the club in different capacities,stressing that they have voted for better life for all members of the club.
He went on to declare the election that brought them into office as “No Victor, No Vanquished” thereby calling on all members of the club to support them in moving the prestigious club higher.
The 13th President of Recreation Club Orlu reiterated that the club will continue to work in synergy with the Imo State Ministry of Youth Sports as well as the Orlu Zonal Sports Council by providing them with facilities to train youths in the area of sports not minding the fact that they don’t receive any form of subvention from the government. He went on to list the cardinal projects the club executive intends to achieve before the expiration of their tenure to include; standard swimming pool which is ongoing, standard and comprehensive gym equipment, recreation club sports guest house, complete flood lighting for their long tennis and table tennis courts, 24 hours tennis play time, new club gate house and a full automation of their National secretariat, at Orlu.
He equally used the opportunity to thank all the Emeritus President’s of the club, Grand Patrons, Trustees, Patrons, Celebrities and the entire members of the club for their resilience and steadfastness towards the growth and development of the club.
Performing the swearing in ceremony, the Legal Adviser of the club Barr. Chief M. N. Nwaele administered the oath of office on each of the Executive members of the club charging them to be of good conduct while serving the club in their different capacities.
Highlights of the occasion were the presentation of award to some deserving members of the club who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the club as well as the award of grand patronship to Hon. Chief Pascal Okolie, member representing Orlu state Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly.
