THE Orlu community in the Dallas metropolitan area wrote a new chapter
in its history by turning a page from the decades of dark past to a
celebratory mood of endeared unity on Saturday, November 7, 2015.
Hordes of people from various communities trooped in to witness the
historic occasion where the Orlu people professed that they have
actually turned the page from the past to embrace a new and energized
organization.
It was a remarkable event that ushered in a new era among the people
as they celebrated harmony.
However, the occasion did not occur without an obvious resistance to
the union from a few individuals. It is fair to say that the
accomplishment of a stable peace in the community did not obscure the
dark hearts of some elements who derive joy in sowing seeds of discord
and destruction.
Nevertheless, it was an amazing experience that illustrated the
possibilities various communities could achieve once united.
Indeed, it was not by accident that the occasion occurred; it was the
act of God that allowed the community to once again swim in the ocean
of peace and unity that had eluded it.
Undeniably, it was as result of years of efforts and overtures by two
presidents of the organizations, numerous committees, and individuals
to woo some people back to the Old Orlu Progressive Association (OOPA)
which led to the triumphant return of staunch members on Sunday,
February 9, 2014. Under the leadership of Mr. Ogbogu Achonwa (Nkwerre
LGA) and his emissaries, Chief Emma Ibe and Chief Emma Obi from Orlu
LGA and Njaba LGA respectively, OOPA is now gradually rehabilitating
its image in the United States.
Without vacillation, the August return of the key members to the fold,
to the delectation of OOPA dwindling members, who were in celebratory
mood to welcome the pillars of the organization, was a boon to OOPA.
But what happened to the association? Sadly, the power of the
organization eviscerated when it lost its moral integrity. Lack of its
moral fabric was antithesis of what Dr. George Njoku (Nwangele), Dr.
Acho Orabuchi (Orlu) Atty. Fidelis Nwaozuzu (Njaba), Chief Ken Jerry
Ike (Orsu), Nze Ben Nnawuihe (Oru East), and others, who form the
inner citadel inside the Orlu community in the United States,
believed in. After severe warnings and public indignation, some
pertinacious members fell for unsavory bait that brought the
organization to its morose state.
With the increasing whiff of moral degradation reeking deeply into the
organization and constant deprecation from the public, those members
who unwittingly towed the path of the so-called elders, who conflate
turgid immorality and progress, realized the consequences of their
short-sightedness and were hurrying to chart a new course for the
organization. The absence of the pillars created a huge vacuum that
could not be filled by the noisemakers. But in the face of the
organization's travail, people like Mr. Celestine Muoneke, Atty.
Gabriel Ogueri, Chief Oliver Iheme, and Andy Ibe stood tall
advocating for peace and unity.
In any case, people reacted favorably to the substance and
significance of the occasion. Chief Johnson Ihemeremadu orated, "The
Toast of Unity and Oneness by Dr. Acho Orabuchi climaxed the
repertoire of events that marked the Old Orlu Progressive Association
(OOPA) Saturday night Appreciation Party. After many years of
agonizing personality conflicts cum rugged individualism, which almost
destroyed OOPA, it is indeed quite refreshing and noteworthy that the
Orlu people mustered courage to imbibe an air of freshness and new
found Risorgimento to OOPA. Kudos to a few good men and women who
worked tirelessly to achieve peace and unity in Orlu."
Dr. Uzo Unegbu, a medical practitioner who came from Washington, DC
said, "OOPA appreciation day held in Dallas, Texas was an event that
exemplifies our existence as a community and its theme, "appreciation
day", acknowledges the saying that history determines the future. The
affiliate association of ORAUSA in Dallas is one to emulate where they
recognized all past leaders of their association with style. My wife
Lolo Titi Unegbu and I, had fun and felt welcomed by our brethren's in
Dallas. The Honorable President Chief Achonwa was a great host. His
humility will take him far in this great organization. Organizing such
an event is not an easy task, but he represented the organization
well. Dallas Igbo community can party and they danced until the break
of dawn. It was an honor and a privilege to celebrate unity with great
people of Orlu in Dallas."
Nze Ben Nnawuihe said with excitement, "It was incumbent upon us as a
people to have an event aimed at primarily exhibiting our uniqueness
and to reunify our organization. I saw a great sense of humor and
relief from the members who were bold to bring out their families
again after a state of confusion and long turmoil of moral decline and
indiscipline of some individuals. As the Chairman of the Planning
Committee, I made sure we left no stone unturned to get our members to
understand the importance and boost enthusiastic support for the
party. And we were very successful, though OOPA still has a tough job
ahead to adequately restore full peace and unity. We are hopeful that
protracted acrimonious sentiments of the past have left us."
Mr. Peter Ebere said, "The OOPA unity celebration event was well
organized with good food. I want to thank and congratulate the Orlu
people for organizing such a historic event. Many times we tend to
forget the importance of unity and those who worked tirelessly and
sacrificed to ensure that peace reigns in an organization. I am glad
that Orlu people found it worthy to honor those individuals who
sacrificed to achieve unity in their community; I wish that other
organizations will emulate Orlu people as we move forward." Sir Iyke
Ginigeme echoed, "OOPA once again proved to Ndi-Igbo in Dallas that
they are united. In fact, without a doubt, it can be said that unity
is power. Therefore, I call other senatorial zones to emulate OOPA and
come together as a united front. As I commend the chairman of the
Organizing Committee, I pray and hope that the Orlu people will
sustain peace and unity in its community."
Mr. Ngozi Echebelem illustrated the evening this way: "People who
attended the event last weekend hosted by the merchants of OOPA
witnessed unity at its best for an organization that was once known
for its unity in everything they did. Dr. Acho Orabuchi, the first
chairman of the board who toasted at the event called for unity and
collective responsibility for the organization's members."
Truly, not only that there is strength in numbers and diversity, but
there is also synergy in cohesive organization; a necessary condition
that allows the accomplishment of common purpose.
-TheSunNews
