It was a total shut down in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, as a renowned philanthropist and worthy son of Igbere, as well the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party(YPP), Chief Chima Desmond Anyaso celebrated his 42nd birthday cum Iriji festival.
The event which attracted a great multitude of men and women,youths and children, to the Igbere Secondary School, Igbere, had supporters,family members, political appointees, friends, business associates and Bende Indigenes both home and abroad,who gathered to celebrate Ofuji, whom God has been using to make great impact in the lives of people.
The Event tagged “Iriji Ofuji 2022”, was multifaceted to bring to a climax, the 42nd Birthday celebration of a philanthropist, Chief Chima Anyanso,who has given so much to the development of Igbere and Bende in particular.
Alot of activities were lined up in celebration of this epoch making event.The celebration kicked started with a Novelty match between the All Stars Igbere Vs All Stars Abia North, a special non denominational thanksgiving service and the Iriji proper.
At the thanksgiving service, the legendary singer, Paul Nwokocha, took the congregation in a powerful praise section with the celebrant showing some beautiful dance steps.
In his sermon, the officiating minister,Rev Preiz Imoh Orji, reminded the congregation the importance of giving thanks to God.
According to him, thanksgiving is simply a way of appreciating God for the much He has done, adding that thanksgiving has the capacity to pave way for the future,as God would certainly do more for us when we thank Him for the ones He has done.
He commended Chief Chima Anyanso for his tireless contributions in lifting humanity.
The Clergy further clamoured for a better system in Nigeria, that would embrace industrialization and productivity,stating that any country that does not value industrialization, would be faced with alot of challenges, ranging from insecurity, unemployment,poor infrastructures,among others,as in the case of Nigeria, commending Chief Anyanso for contributing his quota in making positive impact in the nation, through human capital development.
“There must be a system that supports raising people,our future is nolonger in the hands of our fathers,but our own hands.This is why i commend what Ofuji is doing in Igbere and beyond”.
He prayed God to bless him with many more years in wisdom and sound health.
Ofuji is indeed a man loved by many,his love for his people has over time earned him an unending love and support from his people.His philanthropic gestures is second to none,as it cuts across tribe, ethnicity, religion or party.Little wonder the venue for the Iriji Ofuji was beautifully decorated with some touches of red and gold which signifies Love, passion and happiness.
Some of the guests who spoke in an interview, described Ofuji as a “Pillar of Support”.
The host traditional ruler, Eze Joseph Anyanta, congratulated Ofuji on his birthday, stating that the 2022 Iriji Ofuji is simply a way of thanking God for giving them a bumper harvest.
Eze Anyanta, however,wished Chief Chima Anyanso success in the forth coming election, urging Abians to vote in right leaders that can change the narrative in the state.
The President General of Igbere community, Comr Godswill Awara Okorie,as well as, the President of Echee- emee Age Grade, Obinna Ogbonnaya, explained that Igbere decided to lock it down for Chief Chima Anyanso because of the love they have for him.
According to them, Ofuji has made numerous impacts on the lives of people through his free education program,healthcare,youth empowerment and others.They stated that Igbere is happy with Chief Chima Anyanso and pledged their support for his 2023 aspiration.
The YPP candidate for Bende South State Constituency for the 2023 House of Assembly election, Comr Ugochukwu Nwankwo(Sanchez), said he joined in the celebration of the Iriji Ofuji, basically to reciprocate the goodwill of Dr Chima Anyanso to him over the years, describing him as a jolly good fellow.
Comr Ugochukwu Nwankwo
While congratulating him on his 42nd birthday celebration, the incoming Lawmaker, said Iriji festival is highly significant in Igbo land, being a festival that celebrates the king of the farm(Ji).
He said the yam(Ji), is a symbol of strength for every man, while the women farm on cassava and other petty crops, the men farm on the yam.”Therefore, the Iriji festival is very important to the male folks”.
Earlier, the Chairman on the occasion and the Traditional Prime Minister of Ibeku land, Chief Uche Akwukwaegbu (Bawas), eulogized the sterling qualities of Chief Chima Anyanso, describing him as a man who has stood tall in philanthropism and a steady voice to the needy, recounting some of his gestures in time past. He prayed God to shower him with more years in sound health.
Also, Chief Kelvin Jombo,an Entrepreneur,commended the quality of yams harvested by farmers in Igbere.According to him, for a long time,he had not seen that level of bountiful harvest, lauding the efforts of Chima Anyanso in boosting Agriculture in Bende Local Government Area.
For High Chief David Nwosu,he prayed God to grant the desires of Chief Chima Anyanso,as the 2023 polls draw closer.
Meanwhile, the Celebrant,Chief Chima Anyanso could not contain his joy, as he appreciated everyone that turned up for the event, including the Organizing Committee,headed by Pastor Gabriel Aguwa Paul,for putting up an exquisite event.
He assured that his ticket with the YPP Governorship candidate,Engr Enyinnaya Nwafor, would change the political trajectory in Abia.
Note, that Dr Chima Anyanso is a man on a mission to make positive changes.As a philanthropist,he had contributed immensely towards human development and the success of PDP in Abia.
He has empowered alot of youths within and outside Abia.Chief Anyanso is very committed to human capital development,youth empowerment and promoting political awareness amongs Nigerian youths.
Chief Chima Anyanso was born on the 16th of September 1980, in Aba.He had his elementary and Secondary education in Abia State and later proceeded to Ebonyi State University,where he obtained B.A in English and Literature.
Presently, he sits on the Boards of several companies with extensive interest in Real Estate Development, Hospitality, Lifestyle, Financial Services and Healthcare.
His vision is to bring development to his people and as well,make positive impact in the country.
He is happily married with three beautiful kids.
The Event was climaxed with the cutting of the new yam,while special prayers were offered to the celebrant alongside other candidates for the 2023 elections under the Young Progressive Party (YPP).
