The entire people of Item Okpi Kingdom in Bende Local Government Area, with their friends and well-wishers across the state and beyond, will on December 30, 2024, roll out their drums to celebrate the 18th Edition of Item Day.
The event, which is celebrated annually with pomp and pageantry, was instituted by the Item Development Association (IDA) in 2007 as a unique platform to celebrate God’s goodness in the affairs of Item people in the outgoing year.
It also provides an avenue for stocktaking by the leadership of IDA by highlighting accomplishments, challenges and future plans for Item Homeland.
The momentous event is also used to honour eminent sons, daughters, well-wishers and indeed Nigerians who have distigiushed themselves in rendering selfless service to Item Homeland in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
The occasion is also used to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nde Item.
This year’s Item Day celebration will take place at Comprehensive Secondary School Okoko Item begining from 12 noon.
The 2024 edition is unique in some important respects namely; it blends elements from home and abroad.
For instance, the Chairmen of the event are both based outside the shores of Nigeria. The Distinguished Chairman of the 2024 Item Day is Chief Chukwuka Nweke, Ph.D (Nwadioha Nma of Okoko Item), who is based in Colorado USA, while the Co-Chairman, Chief Emenike Okpo Onyekwere (Ugochinyere 1 of Amazea) is based in Paris, France.
Other key personalities expected at the event are;
– Chief Guest of Honour: His Excellency, Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CON, the Deputy Speaker, House Of Representatives,
– Diamond Guest of Honour: Distinguished Senator (Dr) Orji Uzor Kalu,MON, the Chairman Senate Committee on privatisation/Commercialization.
– Special Guest of Honour: Deputy Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu
– Father of the Day: High Chief, Sir (Dr) Akwari Ukpabi, KJW, Grand Patron of IDA,
– Royal Father of the Day: HRM Eze Silas Okeofia Igwe (JP) The Okpi of Item
– Host Royal Father of the Day: HRM Eze Jerry Akpala Igwe (JP)
– Spiritual Father of the Day: Bishop Dr Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, Chairman Board of Trustees, IDA.
“The IDA believes that the State Executive Governor Dr Alex Otti deserves to be commended for his visionary leadership in taking Abia State to new heights of development and progress in his administration.
“The IDA is grateful to the Governor for approving the total reconstruction of Umunnato Central School in Item as part of the government’s school renovation and retrofitting programe.
“It is also optimistic that the three primary healthcare centers in Item slated for improvement and facility upgrades will soon receive the attention they deserve.
“The IDA is hopeful that Iten will benefit from Governor Otti’s development projects and appeal to him to consider reconstruction of the major road into Item namely, the Alayi-Item-Nkporo road.
“It observed that the road is currently in a deplorable state. Item Homeland appreciates the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, HE Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu CON for facilitating several on-going projects aimed at improving the quality of education in Item Homeland namely: The ICT center at Central School Amaokwe: ICT center at Comprehensive Secondary School Okoko Item: Completion of Amaekpu Item Health center and the Renovation of a Building block at Amabo Primary School Okoko Item and many other laudable gestures. For Distinguished Senator (Dr) Orji Uzor Kalu Item people are thankful to him for attracting road infrastructure and for facilitating the following projects in the year under review: (1) Renovation of classroom blocks at central School Okoko Item; Central School Atanko Amaokwe and Community Primary School Apuanu Item. (2) Construction of a new classroom block at Primary School Okai Item which is ongoing. (3) On going construction of 0.6 km each in Okoko Item as well as Okai Item. (4) Installment of solar powered street lights in Apuanu Item.
“Obviously, Item has enjoyed the patronage of her leaders at various levels of government and is grateful for that.
“As this year’s Item Day is marked, we commend various organisations, groups and captains of industry and illustrious sons and daughters for their various support.
“The IDA under the able leadership of her President General Chief Sir Onwuka Orji in line with this year’s Item Day Theme “Increasing the commitment for Community Service and Development” calls on the great people of Item Okpi to partner IDA in its infrastructure renewal Programne which has started in our public schools, and which include the reorganizing and strengthening of our local security and the completion of all ongoing infrastructural projects and attraction of new ones, ” the statement by Chief Emeka Davies Eke reads.