Welcome address by the Chairman Mr. Emmanuel Njikonye
on the Occasion of the Official Inauguration of the Abia Community in Vienna Austria Saturday, 20th June 2015
Your Excellency, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Austria, Ambassador Abel Adelakun Ayoko, Special Guest of honour to this August Event,
Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Governor of Abia State, Special Guest of Honour, we are honoured that your spirit is with us even though it is not possible that you are present to this occasion.
The Chairman of this special occasion Vice President of Ngwa Community Austria, Chief Bishop Ahukanna & Lolo, the Enyi Oha 1 of Ngwa. Other co- Chairpersons,
Chief David Wise Ibe, the Ochimba 1 of Isu, Chairman Imo State,
The President of the National Union of Nigerian Community in Austria (NANCA), Nze Louis Asuzu,
The National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Austria Mag. Dr. Samuel Ogbonna,
The Chairman of Igbo Cultural Society in Austria, Mag. pharm. Dominic Aghaizu,
The President of Igbo Women in Vienna, Madam Adeline Uwakwe,
Other leaders of the various ethnic nationals in Vienna:
=>The Edo Community Vienna,
=>The Esan Women Association,
=>The Egbe Omooduduwa Women,
=>the Egbe Omooduduwa Vienna,
=>The Urhobo Progress Union in Austria,
=>The Rivers State Association in Austria,
=>The Ika Association in Austria,
=>The Esan Community in Austria,
The Chiefs and Lolos,
the Elders Abia Community in Vienna, Dr. Sunday Iroegbu,
Mazi. Stanley Ubani – Abia 1 in Austria and Mazi. Felix Ugbor.
Members of the International Organisations and Diplomats in Vienna who have find time to grace this Event,
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Abia Community and its members, I feel highly honoured that you have answered our call by gathering here tonight. You are here to celebrate with usthe maiden outing and the official Inauguration of our Community. From the bottom of my heart, you are all very much welcome.
Some few years back, we started nursing the idea of gathering the Abia indigenes in Austria together, especially those in Vienna for the ultimate aim of championing the spirit of oneness, which other ethnic nationalities and some states in Vienna have started. But not until last year that we hit the nail by the head and there was this breakthrough as the Austrian government office in-charge of registration and operation of socio- cultural organisations approved our application, hence we have conveyed here this night to inaugurate and celebrate with you.
I thank everyone of the members of the Abia Community for hearing the calls of my colleagues and I, who thought it wise that we should join the wagons of multiples of ethnic organisations in Vienna for the simple idea of living and promoting peace and harmony amongst us and with our host nation Austria, as well as preserving our multi-cultural heritage of the Abia people of Nigeria.
Subsequently, we decided that it is necessary to join fellow Nigerians in Diaspora to contribute to the development of our individual states back home. That will automatically mean,the totalface - lifting of the country Nigeria.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in doing these, we shall work together with the Embassy of Nigeria in Austria. We shall also work hand in hand with the National Association of Nigeria Community (NANCA). In addition,we shall work with the Nigerian Ethnic Nationals and especially with our fellow ethnic states in the eastern part of Nigeria. Not only that, we shall amongst other things work very closely with all other organisations in Austria that shares our aims and objectives that will lead to the realisation and development of our State (Abia State, the God’s Own People) in Nigeria.
Having said that, let me also disclose that you have been invited not only to support us financially, morally and otherwise, but also to dine, wine and celebrate with us.
To that effect, we shall very soon unveil the dinnerand I invite you with joy and happiness to partake in the consumption of aromaticand varieties of dishes the “Abia Kitchen” can provide us this night.
In addition, many of you will have the rare opportunity to have a taste of the memorable foods and dishes Abia people are culturally and socially identified with. I assure you they are unforgettable. In addition, other things you need to know about the `God’s own People´ will come when one of our illustrious son will speak on the´Keynote on Abia State´
Your Excellencies, friends and well-wishers, brothers and sisters, distinguished ladies and gentlemen who might have come from afar off, once again, we thank you for your coming, thank you too for giving me attention, celebrate with us in peace and harmony and when you leave, I wish you safe journey back home.
May the Almighty Father continue to guide and protect every one of you and your families in your life endeavours as you continue to assist us each time we call on you.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Long Live the Republic of Austria!!
Long Live Abia State – The God’s Own State!!!
Thank you all