By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
The Ntalakwu-Oboro Community in Ikwuano LGA of Abia has hailed Chief Emeka Atuma, its prominent son and former federal lawmaker for his season’s gifts to the underprivileged.
Atuma was also commended for also pioneering various developmental projects in the community.
The community also commended the ace reggae gospel singer, Buchi, who hails from the area, for feting the people and organising musical concert in the community every Yuletide.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atuma, an APC chieftain, on Wednesday, handed over a renovated five-classroom block, furnished with desks, chairs and tables, to the principals of the community secondary school.
The former federal lawmaker also presented 25-kg of rice, N20,000 as well as Ankara cloth each to 100 women in the community during the event.
Atuma also handed out N300,000 each to five outstanding women in the community to boost their businesses.
In a speech at the event, he said the opening of access roads for transportation of agricultural produce in the community had begun.
“I promise not to relent in doing good for my community. I will continue to support my people,” he said.
Commending the gesture, the President General of Ntalakwu Oboro Progressive Union Federated, Mr Nnanna Atuonwu, thanked Atuma and Buchi for reaching out to the people during the Yuletide celebrations.
Atuonwu recalled that during Atuma’s tenure in the House of Representatives, he attracted the construction and rehabilitation of several roads in Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.
“Hon. Atuma has never neglected our community at any given opportunity he gets.
“In fact, he has done more now than when he was in government.
“For Buchi, the gospel singer, he fetes the community with concerts, and fed them with assorted food.
“He has been doing this for the past three years now.
“We are happy to have them and others, who have contributed one way or the other to help the community,” Atuonwu said.
The National President of Ntalakwu-Oboro Women Federated, Mrs Mercy Atuonwu, said that Atuma had been a great supporter of women in the community.
“Rt. Hon Emeka Atuma has been a great supporter of Ntalakwu women.
“He, alongside his beautiful wife, Oby, empowers us with money, startup packages and food items.
“We pray that God will continue to bless and reward them abundantly for their sacrifices,” Mercy said.
The gospel musician said that the concert, called “Afo amaghi onuma” (meaning that hunger recognises no boundaries), is held annually in the village to give his community a sense of belonging during the Yuletide.
According to him, it is a way of giving thanks to God by giving back to my people, who cannot afford to pay for my shows in the city.
“So, I bring the concert to them and give them food too,” he said.
The Principals of the Community Secondary School and Ntalakwu Junior and Senior Secondary School, Mrs Goodness Amaike, and Mrs Ihuoma Nwabuko, thanked Atuma for his kind gesture.
They also promised regular maintenance of the renovated classroom block.
NAN reports that the event featured cultural displays by the community’s women dancing group. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)