A U.S.-based Igbo group, called Amaigbo Town Union (ATU-USA), on Monday, inaugurated its ultra-modern 176 lock-up shops plaza, built at the Ekeukwu Amaigbo Market and donated to Amaigbo Community in Nwangele LGA of Imo.
In a speech at the ceremony, the President of ATU-USA, Mr Kingsley Nmezi, thanked all the well-meaning sons and daughters of Amaigbo, associations and partners for their commitment, resources, and goodwill towards the successful completion of the project.
According to Nmezi, the ATU-USA plaza, which was started on Dec. 31, 2021, stands as a symbol of collective effort, 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 emphasized that development would only thrive “where vision, sacrifice, and collaboration prevail, not where bitterness and mischief are promoted.
“Shame on all who seek to undermine communal advancement for selfish ends.
“Today is about progress, hope, and economic empowerment. Amaigbo moves forward,” he said.
He paid special tribute to the ATU-USA family, Fyne Madumere and his executive, the Igbo of Amaigbo, the Amaigbo Traditional Ruler, Eze Nelson Nwosu, and the Amaigbo Advisory Board, for their commitment and support to the project.
Others included the ATU-USA Project Implementation Committee Chairman, Dr Kings Nwoha, and his Vice, Chief Ken Iwualla, the Amaigbo Security Watch and Custodian of the site, Mr Peter Ihedoro.
The Chairman of the event, Chief Joe Ndupu, expressed profound gratitude to Nmezi’s leadership, the ATU-USA members that financially supported the project, and the building and planning committee.
Ndupu said that because of their collective effort and commitment to developing Amaigbo, “we are not just speaking of plans today – we are inaugurating a finished project.
“At the ATUSA 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 marketplace plaza “as a powerful symbol of what is possible, when we come together and invest in our community.
“Economically, it strengthens Amaigbo by creating a centralized 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.
He described the plaza as “the most intensive development to be built in Amaigbo by Amaigbo people.
“Today, I am proud to say that ATUSA members and leadership decided to do the hard stuff.
“We worked hard, we stayed the course, and today we are celebrating the results of that labour,” Ndupu said.
Another ATU-USA member, Dr King Nwoha, said that the plaza was built to enhance commercial and economic activities in the community as well as attract traders from the neighbouring communities of Orlu, Umuahia and Aba.
Nwoha said that a 50 kilowatts solar would be installed to provide 24-hour power at the plaza, adding that adequate security was also guaranteed at the facility.
He said that arrangements had been made to also install a giant flour mixer machine at the plaza.
He hoped that functioning at full capacity, the plaza would help to end capital flight from Amaigbo to neighbouring towns, especially when they returned home during festivities.
Nwoha also announced that ATU-USA had set aside N42 million empowerment fund, plus N25 million from the national body of the union, to support youths that trained in different skills to start up their own businesses.
He said that each youth from the 42 wards in the community would get N1 million take off grant from the fund.
The royal father of Amaigbo (Igbo of Amaigbo), Eze Nelson Nwosu, expressed profound gratitude to ATU-USA and all the sons and daughters of the community that contributed morally and financially to the actualisation of the project.
Nwosu urged the people to eschew rancour and unite for the good of all Amaigbo people as well as encourage collective efforts to grow the market and entire community.
The President-General of the community, Frank Madumere, thanked the group for its genuine 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 both hail from Amaigbo, commended ATU-USA for its investment and developmental drive to move the community to higher heights.
Contributing, Chief Engr Fabian Mbagwu the Aka Ji Ugo ) and one of the founding members of ATU-USA and the 1st elected ATU-USA Financial Secretary said Ekeukwu Market square would be more than just a place to buy and sell, it would be a place where people meet, ideas are exchanged, friendships are built, and the spirit of community thrives.
He noted that the Market Square symbolizes growth, opportunity , and togetherness. Which reflects our shared vision of progress — one that balances tradition with innovation, and commerce with culture.
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.
