The Ohafia National Organization USA Inc. has donated food items worth over four-million, four hundred Naira (N4.4 Million) to the twenty-six villages of the Ohafia Community in Abia State, Nigeria. This palliative measure is in response to the crushing hunger inflicted on their people as a result of the COVID-19 emergency lockdown.

The National President of the Organization, Rev. Daniel Imo, in presenting the gift, thanked the All Mighty God for his Grace upon the entire Ohafia Community in the United States and at home. He praised the courage of ONO Chapters and their leadership for their generous contributions in making the mission a success. The President, further thanked all the good-spirited Ohafia citizens worldwide who have identified with their people at this time of need.

While commending their leadership effort, ONO compliments the humanitarian gestures of Ohafia Improvement Union under the leadership of Elder Dr. Ukpai Kalu Ukpai, Ohafia Local Council Transition Chairman, Hon. Chief Fred E. Idika, the Ezieogos, the Udumeze of Ohafia, His Paramouncy Professor E. U. L. Imaga, and indeed the dynamic leaders of the twenty-six Village Improvement Unions in assuring the safety of Nde Ohafia in the face of a monstrous existential threat.

In a painful twist of reality, the National President commits the souls of two of their citizens, Rev. Dr. Caleb Anya and Deacon Rafael Ofia, who were lost to COVID-19 pandemic at New York State, USA, to the Almighty God. He prayed for God to grant the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses. It is highly commendable to note the resilience and courage of Umu Ohafia in the United States of America, who defied the threat and trepidation of the pandemic to do works of charity. In mourning, they gave. What a sacrifice! It is on record that the US, which is the third largest country in the world (China – 1,439,323,776; India – 1,378,492,893; USA – 330,790,544), as at May 28, 2020, has recorded the most COVID-19 cases – 1,745,803, most deaths – 102,107, and has the most active cases – 1,153,566. As at Press time, Ohafia Community in the United States in yet to bury their two victims, nevertheless, the remnant remembered home.

ONO National President emphasized that the Ohafia Diaspora in USA in particular, under various platforms, have remitted an estimate of over Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000) to the homeland during this pandemic. ONO members gave sumptuously to their individual families, Compounds and Villages. Elu, Amaekpu, Ebem-Oha, Asaga, Akanu, Okon-Aku, Okagwe Village Improvement/Development Unions in the United States, to name but a few, gave bountifully to their home-towns.

The President said that the over Four Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N4.4m) palliative from the umbrella national body of Umu Ohafia in USA – The Ohafia National Organization, USA Incorporated to the twenty-six (26) villages, is to continue with the promotion and consolidation of the welfare agenda of the Organization. It should be recalled that in 2017, the Organization successfully executed what has been adjudged the best Medical Mission in Ohafia. With a team of over one hundred highly qualified medical experts, ONO touched lives in an unprecedented measure. In a record speed of five days, one hundred and forty (140) Ohafians received free surgeries. More than three thousand citizens were given different forms of medical care. Medicines and prescription eye glasses were distributed free of charge to thousands of Nde Ohafia.

ONO-USA seizes the opportunity to call on all well-meaning Ohafia sons and daughters, philanthropists, and those in authority to use their God-given privileges to advance the cause and well-being of the poor and needy. While the Organization praises the Abia State government under His Excellency, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, in ensuring the restoration of peace and order in Ohafia Community, it appeals to the Governor to see that justice prevails on behalf of Ohafia Community whose innocent son was gruesomely murdered by the police during the COVID-19 lockdown.

An organization is as strong as its leaders. ONO National President, Rev. Daniel Imo, is ever grateful to the patriotic men and women whose dedication has made the Organization one of the strongest registered Diasporan community organizations in the United States of America. Members of the National Executive Committee are Chief Otum Nwoke (Vice President), Engr. Ukpabi Agwu Ojo (General Secretary), Mrs Nnenna Ajughu (National Treasurer), Mrs. Patience Uche, (National Financial Secretary), Nnanna Ajike (National Publicity Secretary), and Sam Ume (National Provost). Members of the COVID-19 Steering Committee are Chukwu Okemini – Chairman (New York Chapter President), Elder Sunday Olugu – Secretary (New Jersey Chapter), Chinedu Idika (Washington DC Chapter President), Chief Ndem Onyeije (Houston Chapter President), Dr. Prince Kalu Amadi (Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter), Brown Onwuka (Boston Chapter President), Mrs. Juliet Willie Ngwobia (North Carolina Chapter President), and Chief Enison Uwa (Chicago Chapter President). ONO draws its membership strength from the entire North America and, therefore, wishes to appeal to all Nde Ohafia in the United States and Canada to identify with the only Ohafia Udumeze Organization in this hemisphere.

Signed:

Rev. Daniel Imo
National President,
Ohafia National Organization in USA, Inc (ONO).