League of Anambra Professionals Inaugurates New Executive    

By Kasie Abone

The inauguration of newly elected Central Executive Council of League of Anambra Professionals (LAP) took place at its Surulere, Lagos State secretariat. LAP is non-partisan, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) committed to rebuilding Anambra state into a first world harnessing her rich depository of intellectual and material resources. The elected executives inaugurated at the occasion to pilot the affairs of the council for the next three years include the President, Mr. ChijiokeOkoli, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); Vice President, Chief Elizabeth Jibunoh; General Secretary, Mr. Ben Okafor; Assistant General Secretary, Barr. Joe Nwokedi and Financial Secretary, Mr. Magnus Ekwunife. Others were Publicity Secretary, Barr. EmekaNwadioke; Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Kasie Abone; Treasurer, Ms. Stella Ozojiofor and Assistant Treasurer, Dr. Nkiru Ifekwem. Ex officio members are Mr. Willie Nzewi, Mr. ChikeNwegbe and Dr. Mrs. Katia Ekesi, all past presidents of LAP. By the powers conferred on him by LAP constitution, the president of the sixth executive of LAP co-opted the following immediate past Vice President, Sir Nnamdi Nwigwe, Mr. Joe Anatune, Barr. K. O. P. Odidika and Barr.ObidiAlajuronye.

Performing the swearing in ceremony, the founding president of the association, Dr. Ndi Onuekwusi charged the new executives to live up to the spirit of LAP which is to rebuild Igbo land for the benefit of future generation. Neglecting rebuilding Igbo Land for its future generation he added would amount to an act of gross irresponsibility. “There will be no future Igboness without a functional Igbo land.” He added. Speaking further Onuekwusi said he accepted the honour to officiate at the inauguration because he owed a moral and spiritual duty to not only LAP but to immediate past president, Mr. Willie Nzewi, the new president and all stakeholders. “We have come back to run the race we started. LAP will have its ups and downs but we will keep up. LAP is blessed with a large repository of intellectual property and so I believe that Chijioke (Okoli) will succeed in reorganizing what has been done.” Continuing he said “what is most critical is to understand the DNA of LAP which is sacrificial heroism which goes beyond what you can think about when you are committed to achieving success in LAP.”

Earlier in his speech which doubled as a farewell cum handover note, the immediate past president, Mr. Willie Nzewi described the seamless transition of power from his executive to Okoli’s team as ‘joyous’. Paying glowing tribute to LAP visioner, Dr. Onuekwusi, Nzewi said looking at LAP’s journey so far, it was clear it wasn’t a human creation but divinely ordained as a platform to achieve the aspirations of bringing the desired change not only to Anambra State but the Igbo nation as a whole. “LAP is not a human creation. There is something divine about LAP. Despite its challenges, it caught on. It is very strong in the minds of the people. LAP has evolved over time.” Advising the new executives, Nzewi admonished them to bear in mind that serving people is a thankless job but “thank you is from the Almighty.”

In his acceptance speech, Okoli said “there is huge enthusiasm about what we can achieve. What is involved to achieve the objectives of LAP is tremendous. If we play all very busy, who will do the job? It is because we are busy in our world that charlatans have taken us to where we find ourselves today. I hope to deploy my intellect to the running of LAP.” He charged his team to reinvent themselves in terms of the vision of LAP to provide leadership as well show the light to society. Speaking further he said “Igbo society is in an existential threat. No society can sustain itself in a situation like this.” Admitting that the task ahead is enormous Okoli expressed confidence that with single mindedness, his team would surely succeed. “The task ahead is difficult bit if we succeed in moving LAP to the next level, we will look back and be happy with ourselves. I believe with single mindedness, the sky will be our footstool. We won’t fail. In the unlikely event that we fail, it would not be for lack of trial.” He concluded.

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