History of
Ovim Community League
1935
Where it Began
It was on a Saturday and the year 1935. The day was dry and dusty and by the looks of the hazy weather one could imagine it was a December noon. There were seven of us just returning from a meeting of the elusive Isu-Ikwuato-Union, we were tired and dejected as a result of a long and arduous journey from ovim to and from Oghughe on a mission that turned out to be impossible. The Oghughe court hall of Isuikwuato was packed to the brim by delegates from home and abroad. At exactly ten O’clock in the morning the meeting started and until two O’clock in the afternoon when it was adjourned, only one item on the agenda was discussed and without any agreement. In the mist of discord and uproar that ensued, the question of finding an acceptable name for the union eluded the delegates. Some members opted for “Isu-Ikwuato Union” others suggested “Ikwu-Ato Patriot Union”, while others insisted on “Obiangwu Progressive Union”. None of the proposals gained the support of the other and so ended in a fiasco the last but gained desperate effort to find an acceptable name for an “Isu-Ikwuato cultural union”.
On the outskirts of Amokwe Obayi village (then called Umu-Ekemkpu), in the shade of the famous Uzii tree, the Ovim delegates assembled and took a stock of the day’s ventures. After some rather lengthy debate, the delegates resolved to form an Ovim Union capable of bringing the entire Ovim community under one organized unit. Several names were suggested but finally the members unanimously adopted “Ovim youth League”.
The seven members delegates thus became the foundation members of the league. Each member donated on the spot the sum of two pounds(four naira) for the purchase of stationeries and other contingencies. There was no election but the members voluntarily assumed some key offices. The offices were those of the chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Financial Secretary. I became the first Financial Secretary and my office eventually covered that of a publicity secretary. Some few weeks later, a mass meeting of all Ovim elements was summoned by the foundation members. This meeting was widely advertised and as everyone had looked up to such a meeting, the enthusiasm of the entire community was given expression by the large attendance and the unanimous agreement reached on all matters discussed. The decision of the seven foundation members to found the Union was upheld and the offices they assumed were also ratified.
1939
Registration as a Cultural Union
As a result of political awakening in the country, the colonial government introduced what was then known as “Public Collection Ordinance”. This law made it impossible for peoples and organization to collect monies from the public except for cultural or humanitarian purposes. For the league to collect the money it is needed for its various development projects, it was imperative that it be registered as a recognized cultural union. To this effect, the secretary, Mr. D.O Okoronkwo was mandated to obtain the services of a lawyer and get the league duly registered as a cultural union. The secretary accordingly secured the services of a lawyer, who having studied the aims and objectives of the union, and the composition of its membership, saw it was obvious that “Ovim Youth League” could not satisfy certain conditions as required by law for the registration of a cultural union. Finally “Ovim community league” was adopted and duly registered.
In a mass meeting held soon after the registration, a resolution was taken and the officers mandated to work towards the immediate restoration of the full status of Ovim Central School which was lost as a result of gross inefficiency apparent in the management of the school’s local administration. With great dedication, the league set to work and with the untiring support of the community, the standard six classes which had since been withdrawn by the ministry of education were restored. This singular achievement by the league generated hope and confidence in the people as to the ability and dedication of the union to lead the community.
Along side education and sanitation, medical problems were equally tackled. Open latrines rampant all over the town were banned and pits latrines introduced. On communication, a small but very efficient postal agency was re-established and a nucleus of a modern maternity was also established. Through communal efforts elementary schools for boys and girls are now scattered all over the town with connecting motorable roads. There is now a well equipped maternity and a modern sub-post office likely before very long to be replete with a telephone facilities. The community has recently on its own built modern staff quarters to house the senior members of staff of the posts and telegraphs department of the ministry of communications. There is a network of motorable roads connecting all hamlets in every part of the town.
The students union has evolved a powerful students organization responsible for the directorate of education. They plan the educational needs of the community and encourage students to pursue certain lines of profession commensurate with the immediate and future needs of the community. As of now, no less than ten of its members enter various universities in the country every year for the pursuit of higher education (note: this statistics was based on the 70’s). For the convenience of students coming home for the long vacation, there is a library and here too, various indoor and outdoor games are provided for both pleasure and exercise.
1967
The 1967 Convention
In 1967 during the Nigerian Civil war, the presence of almost the entire population at home gave rise to an innovation which has now become a regular event. It is the convention of “Ovim Day” which is an occasion set aside for stock taking of the union’s activities. It is also a day for launching of any project required the approval and contribution of every citizen both at home and abroad. The 1967 convention was historical and very rewarding though unfortunately the huge amount of money raised on that August occasion was lost as a result of the civil war which made it impossible to prosecute any of the projects for which the money was collected. In that convention, the community in its humble appreciation of the services rendered to the town through the instrumentality of the union, presented certificates of honour to the seven foundation members in the person of Chief Oji Eberebe, Dr. E. N. Ukapby, Messrs P. A. I. Egbe, H. O. Ugoji, J. C. Achara, D. O. Okoronkwo and E. I. Duroha.
This short history will be most incomplete if I fail at this juncture to remind readers that all but one of the foundation members of the union are still living. Of the seven , I happen to be the youngest. Now I am sixty years old and so you can imagine how old the rest must be. Our age is a challenge to the young. The union is overdue for re-organization and youth leadership. Times have changed and the need for our people are greater and more complex. The youths have been groomed long enough to take over. Must there be a coup before they can step forward to meet the challenges of their time? The job ahead is certainly gigantic but where there is a will, there is a way. The youths have the will so let them make a start for as Charles Kingsley puts it
1975
Finally
“… There is a better thing on Earth than wealth, a better thing than life itself, and that is, to have done something before you die for which good men may honour you, and God your father smile upon your work …”