By PETER OKOLIE

A U.S.-based Igbo group, Amaigbo Town Union (ATU-USA), on Tuesday, donated a plaza at the Ekeukwu Amaigbo Market to Amaigbo Community in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo.

In a speech at the inauguration and handover of the project, the President of ATU-USA, Mr Kingsley Nmezi, said the plaza, constructed at the cost of N1 billion, consists of 176 lock-up shops.

Nmezi thanked the people of Amaigbo, associations and partners for their commitment, resources, and goodwill towards the successful completion of the project.

According to him, the ATU-USA plaza project, which started on Dec. 31, 2021, stands as a symbol of collective efforts, progress, and economic vision.

“It is our earnest prayer that this commercial hub will stimulate trade, create opportunities, empower local entrepreneurs, and contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of Amaigbo, Nwangele LGA, and Imo at large,” he said.

He expressed concern over “those, who have chosen the path of distraction, distortion, and needless antagonism rather than unity and progress”, saying that history would judge all accordingly.

Nmezi said that development would only thrive where vision, sacrifice and collaboration prevailed.

“Today is about progress, hope, and economic empowerment. Amaigbo moves forward,” he said.

He paid special tribute to the ATU-USA leadership, the Igbo of Amaigbo, the Amaigbo Traditional Ruler, Eze Nelson Nwosu, and the Amaigbo Advisory Board, for their commitment and support.

Also speaking, the chairman of the event, Chief Joe Ndupu, expressed gratitude to Nmezi’s leadership, the ATU-USA members that financially supported the project, and the building and planning committee.

“At the ATU-USA Convention in Detroit, Michigan, we did all we could to raise money for the final stretch of this construction project.

“Through generosity, sacrifice, and love for our community, the funds raised at that convention helped carry this marketplace to completion,” he said.

He described the plaza as a powerful symbol of what is possible, when there is unity of purpose to invest in the community.

“Economically, it strengthens Amaigbo by creating a centralised local market, where trade can thrive.

“Our people no longer have to travel far to buy and sell goods. The structure itself adds beauty, ambiance, and value to our community.

“More importantly, increased market activity creates opportunity: opportunity for small businesses, opportunity for growth, and opportunity for jobs – especially for our youth,” Ndupu said.

The royal father of Amaigbo (Igbo of Amaigbo), Eze Nelson Nwosu, expressed profound gratitude to ATU-USA and all the other members of the community that contributed to the actualisation of the project.

Nwosu urged the people to eschew rancour and unite for the good of all Amaigbbo.

The President-General of the community, Mr Frank Madumere, thanked the group for its commitment towards the development of Amaigbo.

Madumere expressed joy that the project was executed during his tenure and appealed to other branches of ATU to follow in the footsteps of ATU-USA.

The Spokesperson for Amaigbo Women, Mrs Eziudo Njoku, popularly called “Ada-ka-ada”, recalled how the project was conceived in 2015 as a venue for Amaigbo Women’s August Meeting.

Njoku said the women raised funds to build what they called “Akachi Hall”, adding that it was gratifying how ATU-USA maximised the larger space at the Ekeukwu Market to build the plaza.

The Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, and Eze Igbo Ghana, Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu, who hail from Amaigbo, commended ATU-USA for its investment and developmental drive to move the community to higher heights.

Speaking on the sideline of the event, the ATU-USA president said that the lock-up shops would be sold at N5.2 million each on an owner-occupier arrangement. (NAN)