INTRODUCTION
The 2001 edition of Ntum Oha Annual lecture took place at Egwuena Girls High School Auditorium, Abiriba, on 29th December, 2001. This was the maiden edition with 32 participants in attendance. The chairman and lecturer of the occasion was Prof. M. K. Mpka and the master of ceremony was Mr. Chekwas Nkpa.
The program started by 12 noon prompt. Opening prayer was said by the Chairman of the occasion, after which the president Engr. Samuel Agwu Okoji read his opening speech. the first lecturer mounted the podium by 1pm and by 2pm the second lecturer delivered his paper. the Annual lecture program ended by 2:40pm after a concluding remark by the chairman.
below are details of the maiden annual lecture program;
THEME
ABIRIBA IN THE 21ST CENTURY; WITH EMPHASIS ON HEALTH, EDUCATION AND POLITICS
Background: Abiriba from earliest times have been pacesetters in the provision of educational infrastructure albeit by communal effort hence schools like Enuda High School were built in the 1940’s to cater for the educational needs of the Abiriba people. likewise in the health sector the Abiriba people single handedly built the Akahaba general hospital. In politics, the Abiriba people were behind the formation and sustenance of early political parties like the ACNC to the extent that a lot of their inner caucus meetings were often held in Abiriba. In the economic sector, the Abiriba people, early in the history of eastern Nigeria, showed their prowess as foremost in manufacturing and trading in the whole Igboland.
Sadly however all these achievements were gotten communally with little or no assistance from the three tiers of government. instead all the government did was to give them a part on the back, take over the structures and run them down. This is the case with the educational institutions and health establishments. even in politics the efforts of the Abiriba people in the various political parties did not translate to meaningful governmental assistance.
Furthermore the fortunes of the Abiriba people in business have been progressively dwindling partly due to stagnation of ideas, lack of foresight – the entire community clustering in few lines of business in consonance with the adage ‘laying ones eggs in one basket’ and unfavorable government policies towards their line of business. this down turn in business correspondently affected their capacity to carry on with their usual self help efforts either individually or collectively as age grades.
The resultant effect is the situation on ground; dilapidated structures, abandoned projects, youth restiveness ( as in the adage ‘idle minds is the devils workshop’ ), vices, chieftaincy / ascension tussles, non existent health care delivery system, poor school enrollment etc.
The question is obvious; which way forward for Abiriba people in the 21st century especially in the areas of good and qualitative education, primary health care delivery system and result oriented politicking.
Aims: The lecture aims at enlightening the participants on:
Brief history of Abiriba political and socio economic life
Emergent political and socio economic realities.
Pros and cons of Repositioning Abiriba
Repositioning Abiriba to advantage
Target participants: Government officials of Abiriba origin, branch ACIU executives, Age Grade executives, Abiriba NGO executives, Abiriba Professionals, Intellectuals and Elites. Expected participants will total 400.
OPENING ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT.
Mr. Chairman Sir,
The Special Guest Speaker, Prof. M. A. Mkpa (The Commissioner for Education, Abia State)
Distinguished Ntum Oha Lecturers for 2004 Annual Lectures,
Participants and Other Invited Guests,
Fellow members of Ntum Oha here present. I greet you all.
Ntum Oha is an interest group based in Port Harcourt. Her members are indigenes of Abiriba, who are, at least, graduates of Universities or other Institutions of Learning of equivalent standard. In Ntum Oha, we focus on three major aspects of developments in Abiriba, which are; Education, Health and Politics.
Our mode of operation is; Investigative Interview Technique. We ask questions to identify problem areas in those three aspects of community development. The problems so identified are then highlighted and showcased. We also proffer solutions to those problems and then alert appropriate agencies for implementation of the solutions proffered.
In the annual lectures, as you will soon witness, eminent sons and/or daughters of Abiriba will talk on a chosen topic. The topic for this 2004 Edition is “Emerging Political and Socio-Economic Realities: Repositioning Abiriba to Advantage”. Questions will be raised to reawaken our consciousness to our proud heritage, Abiriba, and also remind us of our developmental shortcomings.
After the lectures, we will have the Frank Talk session. This is a discussion (Audience Participation) session. Most of the questions raised during the lectures will be answered during the frank talk. Please jot down your questions or comments as the lectures progress.
At the end of this discussion, we all would be better informed on the current happenings in our community, Abiriba, as it concerns Education, Health and Politics. Also we would know the contributions we need to make, either as individuals or as a group, towards the betterment of Abiriba.
Long Live Ntum Oha!
Long Live Abiriba!!
Long Live Nigeria!!!
ABIRIBA IN THE 21ST CENTURY; WITH EMPHASIS ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, & POLITICS
BEING THE TEXT OF A TALK DELIVERED BY PROF. M. K. MKPA AT THE “NTUM OHA” LECTURES/FRANK TALKS AT AGWUENA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL, ABIRIBA, ON 29 DECEMBER, 2001.
- PROTOCOLS:
- INTRODUCTION:
It is with the best compliments of this season that I salute the “NTUM OHA”, the organizers of these renaissant annual lectures/frank talk. I earnestly appreciate the unique privilege of your invitation to me to “touch base” with you on this year’s theme “The Professionals in Community Development: The Abiriba Experience”.
PHOTOGRAPHS
FRANK TALK! FRANK TALK!!
DEAR …………………………………………………………………….
YOU ARE SPECIALLY INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MAIDEN EDITION OF
NTUM OHA END OF YEAR LECTURE / TALK-SHOP
THEME:
ABIRIBA IN THE 21ST CENTURY WITH EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION, HEALTH AND POLITICS
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2001
TIME: 12:00NOON TO 2:00PM PROMPT (NTUM OHA TIME)
VENUE: AGWUENA GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL HALL – ABIRIBA