From Enem Hall to “Umuenem Town Hall and Civic Center”.
Friday the 27th of December, 2019 could be likened to a red letter day in the commercial city of Nnewi as a renowned philanthropist cum business mogul, Chief Dr. Cletus Mmadubugwu Ibeto (C.O.N) single handedly built and handed over an ultra-modern edifice, the Umuenem Town Hall and Civic Center to Umuenem Community in Otolo Nnewi, Nnewi North L.G.A of Anambra State, Nigeria.
At the point of commissioning, Umuenem Town Hall and Civic Center was adjudged the best of its kind east of the Niger owing to the classy and attractive architectural design, bold and strong structure, unique fittings and furnishing evident in the multi-purpose facility.
Moderating the event, the men on the microphone, Mr. P.E.N Nwosu and Mr. Obo left no stone unturned at ensuring that orderliness and lively atmosphere was the order of the day.
Breaking the kolanut, the longest living monarch in Africa HRH Igwe K.O.N Orizu III, Igwe of Nnewi, acknowledged all and sundry. While extolling the magnanimity of Chief Ibeto, he admonished everyone to be their brother’s keepers and live purposeful lives. Stating further, Igwe Orizu noted that the edifice “will bring unity and progress to Nnewi.”
The building could serve as multi-purpose center to host town meetings, exhibitions, conferences and other important events. “I felt that riving the spirit of the original Enem Hall as a historic community meeting center, Umuenem Town Hall and Civic Center will have a significant impact in the community as it’ll improve on the legacy of the original hall,” Ibeto told the West African Pilot News. “For me, I’m really filled with hope that things could improve here in Umuenem village and Nnewi, I really could make a difference, and that we wanted to keep investing in the communities that we were serving,” he added.
On his part, the Obi Umuenem Chief Afam Obiekosi, prayed for the fulfillment and God’s blessings on Ibeto, Umuenem, Otolo and Nnewi town. The icing on the cake was the prayers of President General of Otolo who asked for “God’s fervent peace to abide in this abode and enrich all the patrons of this magnificent hall; we shall always hear good news from this hall and no omen will befall anything pertaining to this priceless structure.”
Going down memory lane Mr. Lawrence Obimdike, President General, Umuenem Family Union, invoked the spirit of Enem a prince of Nnewi whose legend inspired the building of the original Enem Hall in 1952 under the leadership of late Chief Abel Okoye and late Chief L. N. E Nsoedo.
Sixty-seven years ago, Enem Hall, the best hall east of the Niger came into existence, attracting the presence of personalities and nationalists like the Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Louis Philip Odumegwu -Ojukwu and Mr. E. I. Oli, amongst others. Enem Hall continued to serve an important function as a place for townhall meetings and community events until the hall became moribund due to lack of use and maintenance.
Interestingly, a man with a large heart, Chief Cletus Ibeto rebuilt and elevated the dilapidated Enem hall to “A world class Umuenem Town Hall and Civic Center.”
Reacting to Pilot News, the architect of the edifice, Kenechukwu Onuchukwu of Digital Construction Company, expressed delight that light has appeared at the end of the tunnel, because series of corrections and strong commitments enabled the hall see the light of the day.
Earlier in the day, Monsignor Onuora of St. James Parish, Otolo and Very. Rev. Fr. Okwuelo Jude of St. Phillip Parish, Otolo Nnewi did justice to the event spiritually as they prayed before the unveiling ribbon was cut by HRH Igwe Kenneth Orizu III.
Pilot News confirmed that the CEO of the Ibeto Group, Chief Cletus Ibeto has an impressive history of supporting community development even before building the community center. He has been giving back to the society for over three decades now. He provides succor to the hopeless, he provides employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths, scholarship scheme is equally available in his social responsibility forum.
Some of Chief Ibeto’s past philanthropies include St. Cletus Catholic Church, Otolo, Nnewi, Our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help Auditorium, Nnewi, Obi Dogonu Palace, Otolo Nnewi, administrative Block at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s College of Health Sciences, Okofia, Nnewi, amongst other projects.
This epoch-making event was attended by creme la creme of the society. The high point of the day was various masquerade displays and traditional dancers.
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