The Aho Ojide Market Square in Umunneochi came alive in a festive atmosphere as residents of Amuda Ward, traditional institutions, political associates, friends, and well-wishers gathered to honour Hon. Ezinwa David Mba, Councillor representing Amuda Ward, on his first anniversary in office.
The event, marked by excitement and celebration, showcased the growing confidence of the people in their councillor’s leadership and community-focused service.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, High Chief Sunny Afurobi, commended Hon. Mba for what he described as “very dedicated” and people-driven legislative service.
“He is committed to serve his people,” Chief Afurobi said, expressing optimism that the young legislator “will go far in his political trajectory.”
Impressed by the empowerment support rolled out by the councillor at the event, Chief Afurobi announced additional gestures to complement his efforts.
He pledged educational support for “10 Primary School pupils, fifteen thousand each, Ten Secondary School Students, to receive twenty thousand each,” and also offered assistance to “four small scale business women, who got twenty thousand naira each, as a token of support.”
The Mayor further praised the councillor’s proactive engagement with community issues, noting that Hon. Mba’s “unique approach of presenting the needs of his people” had drawn attention to long-standing court litigations affecting the Aho Ojide market.
According to him, it was Hon. David who “intimated him about the age long court litigations… which has hampered development and commercial activities in the market,” prompting his intervention toward a lasting solution.
He commended Amuda Traditional Rulers, the Amuda Town Development Union, and other stakeholders for initiating a peace process.
Highlighting his own administration’s achievements, Chief Afurobi recalled projects ranging from retrofitting, remodelling, and renovation within the council headquarters, reticulation of water across offices, solar lighting and internet provision, to major infrastructure works.
These included “construction of Achara Bridge, Construction of a new Military Base to fight insecurity, Installation of Solar street lights at different flashpoints within Umunneochi, clearing of major road sides, Construction of culverts at Akpugo Umumeze, and Aro Ikpa Nneato,” as well as rural road maintenance and erosion control interventions.
He noted that these were previously detailed during the State Working Committee of the Labour Party’s fact-finding visit on 5th November 2025.
Chief Afurobi also expressed gratitude to Governor Alex Otti for creating “the enabling environment for all and working assiduously in guaranteeing even development in all parts of the state,” affirming that Umunneochi remains firmly supportive of the governor’s people-oriented policies.
Earlier, Hon. Mba, overwhelmed by the massive turnout, thanked the people of Amuda for the mandate they gave him during the November 2, 2024 election, and credited his motivation to their unwavering support.
He also acknowledged the roles played by the state governor and the Mayor in shaping his political journey, saying: “I inherited a hyper active Governor in the state, Dr Otti, and a Super Mayor… High Chief Afurobi,” adding that their mentorship has helped him strengthen his leadership capacity.
Hon. Mba expressed gratitude to God and appreciated other supporters including “Ogbuehi Uche Okoroafor, Dr Oluebube Chukwu, Hon Mathias Ume, Umuokorobia Isuochi Association, MFC, Stakeholders, and his family, for queuing behind him when it mattered most.”
Reaffirming his accessibility to the people, he highlighted several interventions he facilitated through a “robust relationship with the Mayor,” including assisting “about eleven Youths from Amuda enrol in the TechRise Cohort one, 4 youths that have passed out, and Cohort 2, where 7 of the Youths are currently acquiring advanced knowledge on ICT.”
He also listed sports development, road maintenance support, water distribution during the 2024 Christmas period, and the reconstruction of the Akpugo Umumeze culvert among his achievements.
At the ceremony, the councillor empowered members of his constituency including 22 primary school pupils who received an education bursary of fifteen thousand naira each; 20 secondary school students who received twenty thousand naira each; and 16 constituents who received nano-grants of twenty thousand naira each to boost their small-scale businesses.
