1. We thank God for bringing us gloriously into the new year of 2024. While congratulating us for seeing this dawn, may we return all thanks to God for making it possible.
2. The National Executive Council of our great Alumni Association assumed office through a National Convention barely eight months ago and activated the community that was moribund for over twenty years due to no faults of the respective leaders at that time. Like a beautiful house locked with sealed doors and windows for over 20 years, the Alumni witnessed cracks, dusts, cobwebs and even burglars but the structure wasn't pulled down eventually. Our tasks in the past months have been the lot of what should be done to the abandoned building for decent habitation again. It's been daunting but surmountable every step of the way.
3. Within the last seven months, we have expanded/reactivated our Chapter networks from five to eleven including Diaspora and we hope to do more in 2024. We reviewed and signed our new constitution into law and every chapter was duly carried along in the process. We had retreat to set agenda of our new NEC. We now have Group Insurance policy in partnership with Universal Insurance PLC with death and health benefits driven through Chapters as operational base. Our Board of Trustees were carefully selected as nominees were published at each Chapter platform for inputs. They are great men and women of distinction in different fields of human endeavours. We have been able to build and sustain mutually beneficial relationship with the IMT Management which resulted in our superlative IMT@50 Celebration on 24th November, 2023. Through that event, we have laid strong foundation with Enugu State Government in the interest of our cherished IMT Community. That golden jubilee celebration activity positively changed the landscape of our Alumni Association in particular and IMT Community as a whole. Chief Dr George Moghalu, a Trustee, the immediate past National President of IMT Alumni and MD/CEO of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is at this time erecting a befitting Alumni Secretariat for the Association and we can only pray for him and urge him on. We also unveiled our 5000 seater capacity stadium project to be built at IMT. Currently, our registration process is ongoing. Our Administration also launched Education Advancement Committee that will offer scholarship to outstanding students, indigent students and Persons Leaving With Disability (PWD). Though there was attempted infractions by some miscreants, the relevant authorities are handling the investigations and the outcome will be made public.
4. IMT Enugu is a big masquerade as large as Nigeria with graduates that has distinguished themselves in various fields and industries. Our strength can only be measured by our ability to form and forge a common front. Am glad that many set and year mate groups are springing up and our numerical strength is on the increase. The expected distractions are strengthening us much as our eyes are on our four point agenda of Alumni Members, Students, Management and Government. IMT Enugu Alumni Association is way beyond some tiny mental imaginations and misconceptions of equating it to Students Unionism. IMT Enugu is a brand and we must guard our brand jealously and eschew primordial sentiments that can only limit our collective resolve and potentials.
5. Chapters must
devise ways and means of sustaining and growing their numbers, develop programs
and activities that will sustain interest of members, conclude their bye laws
and hold elections as earlier directed by NEC. May I congratulate Ebonyi State
Chapter for conducting peaceful, free and fair election this December as we
welcome the new leadership on board.
6. This year will no doubt be a challenging one economically. Each family must reappraise spending and prioritize needs. By no means stay away from troubles and crime and please develop spiritual vaccine for suicide. Let not the heat of the moment take a shine off you for this phase must surely pass away. Jobs may be lost or wages reduced. Crime will not reduce in a hurry and so remain security conscious as the security agencies are not only overstretched but endangered species. Avoid unnecessary movements phone calls can handle. We need you to be alive and healthy to build this House together. Be part of Chapters, participate and don't be ashamed to share your challenges.....learn to talk to somebody and don't die in silence.
7. In 2024, we shall have more Chapter networks, complete our registration process with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and commence payment of stipend to the first Rector of IMT, Prof Mark Chijioke. If it touches you to be part of appreciating the man that laid the foundation we are enjoying today, please contact our Acting National Vice President, Mr Ifeanyichukwu Anadu. We shall effectively commence scholarship scheme to deserving students through our Education Advancement Committee led by Dr Oliver Ngwoke. We shall be holding an event to Nationally unveil our pet project and set machinery in motion for the commencement. We all shall be part of the project.
8.. May I first appreciate the Enugu State Governor, HE Dr Peter Mbah for extension of hands of development to the Alumni Association. We equally appreciate the astute support of IMT Management led by the Rector, Prof Austin Nweze and the IMT PRO/Alumni Relations Officers, Barr Mark Eze. We celebrate one of our own and very best, the immediate past Minister for Mines and Solid Minerals Development and President of Masters Energy Group, HE Dr Uche Ogah, a Trustee who has been of tremendous support to the Alumni Association and to many members on personal levels. Worthy of mention are our dutiful BOT members: Chief Dr Lady Anthonia Ekwo, Mr Frank Aigbogun, Dr Mrs Agatha Nnaji, Mr Micheal Akinbola and Dr Etofolam Osuji. We place on record the immense support of Dr Ben Ujoatuonwu, GMD of Universal Insurance PLC who sponsored our Novelty football match between Team Alumni and Team Management. Our other stars are, His Excellency Chief Achike Udenwa, a former Governor of Imo State, Hon Chinedu Ogah of Federal House of Representatives, Prof Chuddy Oduenyi of Compact Communication, Chief Sir Nnamdi Anukwuem, Chief Chuma Ugbo and Mazi Patrick Okoroafor, our National Vice-President, Diaspora among others. A very big thank you to our resilient National Executive Council members, Expanded NEC members, State Executive Council members and entire members of IMT Alumni Community.
Happy New Year and
Best of 2024 ahead of you.
Mazi Dr Agodi Kanu
National President
No comments:
Post a Comment