It was remarkable and a Sunday never to forget in haste when the Umuasele Welfare Association (UWA) Lagos treated its members to a lavish end of the year get-together party at the luxurious Lekki Heights Hotel, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos State.
The date was November 29, 2015 when all the people of Umuasele from Onitsha who reside in Lagos for a swell time and a period to thank God for securing them through the year and as well spend time with family and friends as a mark of splendid appreciation for the year that is grinding to a halt.
The occasion was hosted by Obiora Agbu, an illustrious son of Umuasele and the proprietor of Lekki Heights Hotel, in the serene General Ogomudia Boulevard.
Early in the afternoon, people started trooping to the spacious event hall of the hotel that looks over the swimming pool situated by the adjacent section where they were welcomed into the venue by the ever colourful music of Ikem Mazeli wafting through the music system.
Quickly, it became a sort of rendezvous where friends, relatives and fellow Onitsha indigenes who have last seen one another in a long while due to the peculiar nature of Lagos could catch up.
The celebration actually started in full swing with an opening prayer from Joy Osakwe who led everybody in worshipful prayers to God almighty for his safety, protection and provisions all through the year.
Starting with such note, there was no doubt that the rest of the evening will be spent in a convivial atmosphere. As this is the time when there is plenty of merry-making and when people take time to celebrate, the executives of the association took time to elucidate other occasions that the association have already been invited of which they are expected to honour celebrants with their presence.
Soon things metamorphosed into a familiar gathering that it was originally organised to be. With expectations high and every mind set to have the best of the evening, the President of Umuasele Welfare Association, Lagos, Mr Ikemefuna in his address admonished members on the virtues of love, hard work, co-operation and assiduous effort to the progress of the association and one another.
He also used the forum to extend the association’s hand of fellowship to other indigenes of Umuasele who are yet to deem it fit to identify with the association, calling on them to take the bold step in coming forward to belong officially to the association so that all hands could readily on deck to move everybody forward.
It was on this note that he let the moderator, Dave Okagbue take charge in ensuring a smooth flow of the evening with superb wining and dining made available but not before a photo session that was supposed to keep the memory of the get-together alive and it entailed the exco, men and women, children and guests present.
Soon after, it was time to merry as food and drinks were in surplus supply and demand. The evening also featured dance, music, and lots of fun.
As the evening wore on, Mrs Okagbue, the Lady President was called to a resounding vote of thanks, an opportunity she ceased to not only express the appreciation of all present to the host of the evening but also to call attention to the need for all members to be co-operate with the exco in lifting the ideals of the association.
Meanwhile, the party was also used as a medium to officially introduce the uniform chosen by the UWA for attending public events. The coffee colour George material was in full display as members who already have theirs were seen everywhere with it.
Though the end of the year get-together party of Umuasele resident in Lagos State might have come and gone but the memory lingers on!
OKEY OBIOZO
