14/04/2024
WELCOME ADDRESS BY COMRADE ARINZECHUKWU NZELI, PRESIDENT-GENERAL, ATANI TOWN UNION(ATU), ON THE OCCASION OF THE HOMECOMING OF TWO OF IT'S ILLUSTRIOUS SONS
PROTOCOLS
I stand before you, my dear people of Atani Iduu na Oba, and our numerous guests, especially the SOLUTION GOVERNOR, His Excellency, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on this occasion of the Civic Reception of two of our great sons, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, and Sir Paul Nwosu, Hon. Commissioner for Information, Anambra State.
Without a doubt, some other communities have had the good fortune of having an elected Representative and/or a Commissioner at one time or another, but to have your sons occupy both exalted positions at the same time, in the same Administration - with the added portfolio of Speaker - is a rare feat which the good Lord has blessed Atani Community with.
Indeed, it is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our sights.
Umunne m na Umunna m, ndi Atani, beyond the feasting of today, what this event represents to me, as your humble PG, is the opportunity to remind, especially, our Youths, that there is value in hard work.
Our brothers, Nnabuenyi and Ojinnaka, did not just get to their present positions through luck. They worked very hard, through personal effort, and the strong indomitable spirit of Atani, to become the success stories that they are today.
Our Youths, male and female, must therefore seek to emulate them.
On their part, it is our expectation that they would use their positions to promote PEACE, HARMONY and DEVELOPMENT of our Community, and Ogbaru in general.
It is in this wise that we call on both of them to help with job and business opportunities for our people, as well as attract the much needed infrastructural development of Atani.
As headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area, there are many things that Atani lacks, such as constant electricity, pipe borne water, security, street lights, a benefitting Town Hall and internal feeder roads. It is our expectation that you will help us achieve some, if not all of these basic needs.
As we celebrate today, we remember many of our forebears, who led the way for the national and international recognition of Atani as a Community blessed with diverse talents.
For lack of time, let me pay tribute to just two of them: the late Highlife King, Stephen Osita Osadebe, and foremost Constitutional Lawyer, Prof. Benjamin Obiefuna Nwabueze, who left us only weeks ago.
The contributions of these heroes of our people shall never be in vain.
As I begin to round off, let me thank the Central Planning Committee, ably led by Casmir Izukanne, members of my executive, and the entire people of Atani for this wonderful opportunity to come together as one to celebrate.
Let the drums sound. Let the music play. And let us dance and merry to the glory of our blessed homeland, Atani Iduu na Oba!
Thank you.
Comrade Arinzechukwu Nzeli
President-General
Atani Town Union(ATU)