Intended to be another party to celebrate the end of what was for many Nigerians a difficulty year, the members Ofu K’Idoma Development Association, Abuja and their families got the value of two for the price of one as the gathering assumed a different charge upon the arrival of music icon and living legend, Mr. Bongos Ikwue.
Sensing the mood of the reveling crowd the Disc Jockey (DJ) played several memorable tunes of the music icon that is noted for his soul searching and nostalgic classics.
In a magical transfiguration, the once noisy and busy crowd of families exchanging pleasantries and banter coalesced into a dance troupe of some sort miming, dancing and milling around Mr. Ikwue who was seated at the centre of the large crowd of dancers.
Ofu K’Idoma Development Association is a socio-cultural group comprising the crème de la crème of Idoma sons and daughters domicile in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Apart from gathering to create a bond of unity and taking care of members in need, the association focuses more on in indigent members of the Idoma community in the entire Benue South or Zone ‘C’.
The 2023 end of year party was chaired by Mr. Sonny T. Echono, the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TERTFUND).
The fun atmosphere notwithstanding, the organisers of the party did not fail to take advantage of the large gathering of both the young and old to pass a message or two about life opportunities and challenges.
In a brief remark, the Chairman appreciated Mr. Ikwue for accepting the invitation to grace the occasion. He also advised young Nigerians to always have a clear vision about their purpose in life. He urged the young adults at the event to emulate the good example of the music legend by daring to dream and living their dreams.
He also enjoined members with the means, to grant others a helping hand at their times of need. He also made a token donation as seed money for a capacity building initiative in support of the youth.
Now 81, Bongos Ikwue, in his custom soft, soothing velvet voice advised the audience to always be prayerful in all of life’s quest.
Apart from the members, who are accomplished professionals in the private sector and public service, the armed forces, business and academia, the gathering witnessed a deluge of other notable Idoma people who came as invited guests.
The Chairman of the Association, Mr. Emmanuel Abechi in an address of welcome informed the gathering that the Ofu K’Idoma end of year party holds every other year, in alternate sequence with the community development year.
During the latter period, the association selects a number of projects for intervention at the home front. The Association had intervened in the areas of healthcare delivery, oil palm plantation, provisioning for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), social mobilization and political awareness; just to mention a few.
