The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Ebonyi State chapter, has elected new Executives to pilot the affairs of the group for the next four years.
In a keenly contested election held recently in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, Friday Nwovu, polled a total of 71 votes to emerge the State Chairman, defeating other three contestants, Sampson Aloh, Moses Nwalo, and Lucky Igboke who scored 15, 13 votes and 1vote respectively.
For the post of the Secretary General, Ikechukwu Umoke clinched the position with a total of 69 votes, winning Ifeanyi Nwokporo who scored only 4 votes.
Also returned as winners in the election following their scoring the highest votes were Benjamin Igwenyi as Assistant Secretary, Chukwuemeka Odom as Financial Secretary, Njideka Ufere as Publicity Secretary and Pius Oko as Auditor.
Others include Uchechi Okoroafor and Moses Aloh who were elected into the posts of first and second Vice chairmen respectively.
The posts of Social welfare Officer, Chief Whip and Sports Secretary were won by Ebubechukwu Nwokwu, Gideon Otubeze and Chinedu Ajibor Idenyi respectively.
For the Post of the Treasurer, Dr. Victor Nwali was returned unopposed.
Also unopposed were the post of the three state zonal coordinators: Samuel Ikpete for Ebonyi North, Timothy Ogbuagu for central and Ifeanyi Agwu for Ebonyi South, among others.
Inaugurating the new Executives, the JONAPWD National Zonal Coordinator, Wisdom Kalu Ikechukwu, emphasized that the immediate past state chairman, Chieme Franklin Odumegwu, by the constitution of the Association, belongs to the State executive committee as an ex-officio.
Congratulating the new Executives, he charged them to adopt an inclusive administration, anchored on transparency and mutual respect.
In his acceptance speech, the new chairman appreciated members of the Association for the trust reposed in the new Excos, describing it as a call to service.
He commended the National representatives, the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, for their wisdom and support which facilitated a free, fair and transparent polls.
Speaking to newsmen, the new chairman, Nwovu, promised a fair leadership that would foster unity in the Association.
“My manifesto is titled: “the Network for a collective change”.
“I believe that through team work, participation, disability rights advocacy and networking, everyone will be important.
“We will work with the government to strategically and sustainably empower our members, and we shall draw a roadmap that will ensure that no one is left behind”, he stated.
Nwovu expressed optimism that Governor Francis Nwifuru, who he described as PWD-friendly, would do justice to the disability bill in the state.
The Head, department of Rehabilitation in the State Ministry of Women Affairs, Barr. Virgy Ngozi Nweze, who represented the Commissioner, Barr. Felicia Nwamkpuma at the event, described the election as the most peaceful, successful and transparent JONAPWD election ever held in the State.
Appreciating the national officers who helped in facilitating the election, she congratulated the winners, praying God to grant them wisdom for leadership.
Others who spoke, including the Electoral Committee Secretary, Sunday Nwambam, who spoke on behalf of the chairman, Cajethan Odah, appreciated the JONAPWD members for their peaceful conduct at the election.
Odah described the election as a success worthy of emulation, and thanked the representatives of the Ministry, the national body, security agencies and the media for their support.
By Oswald Agwu.
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