ISTDAL @ 40: Senator Adefuye, Eze Ambassador Njoku, Boniface Okparaku, Eze Ambassador Chika Nwokedi, Others Bag Prestigious Awards
...As Imo indigenes in Lagos renew call for unity
It was a night of honour and celebration as distinguished personalities including Senator Anthony Adefuye, Eze Amb. Nicholas Njoku, Eze Dr. Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku and Eze Amb. Dr. Chika Nwokedi bagged prestigious awards at the 40th anniversary of the Imo State Towns Development Association, Lagos (ISTDAL).
The grand finale of ISTDAL @ 40, held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Basketball Court, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, attracted illustrious sons and daughters of Imo State, traditional rulers, town union leaders, captains of industry and friends of Imo State.
Themed “Deepening the Unity, Peace and Security of Imo State Through Equity, Justice and Brotherhood,” the event celebrated four decades of unity, brotherhood and grassroots development.
In his anniversary address, President General of ISTDAL, High Chief Hon. Chris Ekeocha, described 40 years as a profound milestone of persistence and achievement.
He recalled that ISTDAL was established in 1986 as the apex umbrella body of all registered town unions of Imo indigenes resident in Lagos, to mobilize funds for the construction of an airport in Owerri initiated by the then Military Governor, Distinguished Senator (General) Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu.
“Today that airport, the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport named after the revered first civilian Governor of old Imo State, Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe, PhD, has been realized and is indeed one of the busiest airports in Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that ISTDAL now has a functional Secretariat at No. 5, Adelabu Close, off Okalawon Ajayi Street, Surulere, Lagos, and owns a Toyota Hiace Bus. The association operates through committees including Contact and Mobilization, State of Affairs, Imo Searchlight Magazine, Imo Carnival, Imo Hall of Fame, August Meeting, Children’s Day, Economic and Allied Matters and Political Affairs.
“Our policy thrust is to partner with any government in power in Imo and reach out to develop Imo State,” Ekeocha said, adding that ISTDAL has helped facilitate sister bodies in Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states.
On the litigation that rocked the association between 2023-2025/26, he said: “It was unnecessary and distracting, but to the glory of God, we emerged victorious and stronger.”
Speaking with Journalists Ekeocha rated Governor Hope Uzodimma as Nigeria’s best performing governor.
“Senator Hope Uzodimma is the best performing governor in Nigeria. He is very silent, he is not loud. I doff my cap for him. When you go to Imo State, you see development, not talking,” he declared.
He stressed that ISTDAL awards are not for sale.
“Our award is not an all-comers affair. We have a committee that screens the background of anyone we want to give award to, to ascertain his or her value to Imo State and Nigeria at large. We don’t give awards because of money or influence. We give awards because of people’s character and what they have done in the society,” he said.
Chairman of the Occasion, Eze Dr. Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku, Founder/CEO of Sonia Giovanna Group, congratulated ISTDAL for sustaining unity for 40 years.
“I congratulate them for keeping the flag flying and for bringing our people together for the past 40 years. It is not an easy task, and I commend the continuity and leadership they have demonstrated,” he said.
Senator Anthony Adefuye, who was honoured, said his long-standing relationship with Imo indigenes proves that tribe should not divide Nigerians.
“Some of us were born at the same time in Lagos. Some are Igbo, some are Hausa and some are Yoruba, but we are still the same. We hold ourselves as one, and we will always be one,” Adefuye stated.
The climax was the conferment of merit awards on distinguished personalities who have excelled in various fields and contributed to the growth of Imo State and Nigeria.
Top on the list were Senator Anthony Adefuye, Eze Amb. Nicholas Njoku, Eze Dr. Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku (Bobaselu of Ikotun Land), Eze Amb. Dr. Chika Nwokedi (Eze Okpoko I of Obodoukwu and Ezendigbo Ijegun-Ijedodo), Bishop Francis Anunobi, Rev. Mrs. Josephine Anunobi, Eze Monday Obi JP, Chief Emmanuel Okeke, Mr. Innocent Ohagwa, High Chief Anselm Njoku, Lady Ada Ofoegbu JP, Hon. Mrs. Maureen Ashara, High Chief Uzoma Osinachi, Dr. ThankGod Okereh, Barr. Chuks Okeugiri, Prof. Mercy Chigamezu, Nze Edwin Egboka, Chief Moses Nwokoro (Ohamadike Ndigbo), Lady Blessing Mbonu, Chief Felix Igboanugo and Mr. Uzor Arukwe.
Responding on behalf of awardees, the honourees expressed profound gratitude to ISTDAL and pledged continued support for unity and development of Imo State.
The celebration was spiced with cultural displays, traditional dances, masquerade performances and Imo delicacies, showcasing the rich heritage of Ndi-Imo in Lagos.
As the curtains fell, the message resonated: 40 years after, ISTDAL remains a strong symbol of equity, justice, brotherhood and collective progress.
