THE STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING ON REBUIDING UGWU EKWEMA CULTURAL HERITAGE CIVIC CENTER HELD ON 27 TH NOVEMBER 2023

INTRODUCTION

The Stakeholders’ Meeting on Rebuilding Ugwu Ekwema Cultural Heritage Civic Center was held
on 27 th November 2023 at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Owerri Municipal Council, Owerri, Imo
State. The meeting was organised by the Ekwema Cultural Heritage Foundation (ECHF), and
hosted by the Owerri Municipal Council. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a veritable
avenue for patriotic umu owere to come together, dialogue and seek clarifications and
understanding about the proposed sustainable development project of Ugwu Ekwema Cultural
Heritage Civic Center, and to further make their input and proffer suggestions for the way
forward.

There was active and spirited participation at the meeting – a clear demonstration of the
willingness of umu owere to support and be identified with a genuine cause that will promote
progress and unity. Participants at the meeting were umu owere (representing various interest
groups), members of the ECHF, and the Sub-technical Group of umu owere professionals who
improved on the design of the Civic Centre.

Eze Clinton Uboegbulam-Nze of Umuororonjo Autonomous Community said the opening
prayer. Welcome address was delivered by Hon. Christian Nze, the Chairman of Owerri
Municipal Council. Onyeisiala Owere, High Chief Ejiogu Reginald, made an opening statement.
The chairman of the meeting, Professor Stephen Onyeagocha, also made an opening
statement, and provided some guidance for the meeting.

DELIBERATIONS

There was elaborate power-point presentation on Rebuilding Ugwu Ekwema. The presentation
was in two parts. The first part by Dr. Lawrence Anukam on behalf of the ECHF, provided an
overview of the journey so far; the aims and objectives of ECHF, its membership and core
values; the rationale behind the rebuilding of the Ugwu Ekwema Civic Centre; the current state
of the abandoned project; the proposed project implementation plan and process; sources of
funding; and the benefits to nde owere on completion of the project. Architect Leonard Ozuzu,
made the second part of the presentation on behalf of the Sub-technical Group of umu owere
professionals, focusing on the technical justification of the project, including detailed analysis of the architectural and engineering drawings, the bill of quantities, and the structural integrity of
the existing building.

After due deliberations, the meeting made the following observations and recommendations:

OBSERVATIONS:

1. Ugwu Ekwema remains our common heritage, our symbol of unity, and a sacred place of
   remembrance as the first place of abode of Ekwema Arugo, our founding father;
2. The current state of Ugwu Ekwema is very deplorable, portrays us in bad image, and
   does not reflect whom we are;
3. Ugwu Ekwema belongs to all of us and every nwafor owere is a key stakeholder in the
   sustainable development of the Center;
4. The initiative by the ECHF to facilitate the rebuilding of Ugwu Ekwema Cultural Heritage
   Civic Centre is highly commendable;
5. The improved design of the Civic Centre by umu owere professionals is admirable and
   noteworthy;
6. The ECHF is not faceless, its members are umu owere;
7. The ECHF has good intentions, and its aims and objectives are clear;
8. The current membership of ECHF is small and does not seem to reflect equitable
   representation;
9. If completed, the Ugwu Ekwema Civic Center will be of immense benefit to nde owere;
10. The funding of the Ekwema Cultural Heritage Civic Centre project is envisaged at three
    levels – Federal Government (Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)), Imo State
    Government, and Self-help and support from umu owere.
    

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Every nwafor owere must genuinely promote and support the rebuilding of Ugwu
   Ekwema Cultural Heritage Civic Center irrespective of his or her political inclinations or
   traditional leanings;
2. The Federal Government (the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)) and the
   Imo State Government should be approached for partnership and collaboration;
3. As the project is being implemented, mechanism should be put in place to constitute a
   very strong management team to run the facility on completion, and may not
   necessarily be left entirely in the hands of the executives of the Owerri Community
   Assembly (OCA);
4. There is need for ECHF to increase its membership, reflecting inclusiveness, equitable
   representation and gender sensitivity;
5. Every nwafor owere must find a niche in this heritage project, based on common but
   differentiated responsibilities, capacities and capabilities;
6. The support for the project should come in cash or kind, and no amount is too small or
   too big for this noble initiative; and
7. This is a call for action for every nwafor owere. Orula omume, ugo eberela ngbagbu!

APPRECIATION:

The participants expressed their appreciation to ECHF for organizing the meeting and providing
some clarifications about the project. They thanked the Chairman of Owerri Municipal Council
for hosting the meeting.

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