Praises for Declan Dire and wife as they give away 500 bags of rice.
3 min read
Friday February 14, 2025, otherwise known globally as Lovers’ Day was a great day in Umuaka Njaba LGA Imo State. Despite being Valentine’s Day which is celebrated around the world, it was a big celebration at the event of the sharing of 500 bags of rice among low income families and individuals in the entire Umuaka Municipal Council otherwise known as Aka Ebe Iri.
By 8 am on the eventful day, some individuals had started to gather at the premises of Hilltop Primary School Uba Umuaka the venue of the event so as to witness the entire exercise. A total of 11 canopies were already mounted to accommodate the beneficiaries from each of the ten autonomous communities in Umuaka.
By 9:30, Apostle Chidi Iwuoha mounted the stage to pray and lead the people to commit the event in the hands of God. As his prayers were going on, words came to him that Chief Declan Ibezimako Dire, the Aririeri Mba 1 of Umuaka, the donor of the 500 bags of rice has arrived with his wife. Immediately he handed over the microphone to the master of the ceremony who announced the presence of the young philanthropist.
A big ovation rented the atmosphere which automatically got electrified by the mesmerizing presence of Chief Dire. He went round, acknowledging cheers from the people and later went to his seat. His arrival with him Mr Chukwudi Egeonu, a high profile Isiozi Akah born stakeholder signaled the official take-off of the event. The master of the ceremony used the opportunity and explained to Chief Dire how the event has been planned and being executed. After that, an opening prayer was said and Chief Dire made his opening speech immediately.
During the presentation, he thanked everyone present at the event and apologized for coming late. He also apologized for not coming alongside with his wife Lolo Djennie Gervais Dire. He acknowledged the excruciating economic predicament the country is facing and advised the people to work harder and have patience.
A vital part of the speech was when he told the audience that he was making the donation of the bags of rice on behalf of his wife, Lolo Djennie Gervais Dire, his brother, Chief McDonald Nnamdi Dire, a chieftain of Labour Party and his dad Chief B.C. Dire.
By the time he finished making the speech, he went back to his seat and the sharing of the bags of rice began.
Each community was represented by her president general and those their PGs were not around were also represented by some village officials. From the lists submitted by the PGs, names of beneficiaries were called and one after the other they came and collected their bags of rice respectively. In less than an hour, the exercise was successfully concluded.
Umuaka Times observed that there were many people who could not make it to the venue due to sickness or old age; such persons had their own bags handed over to their PGs for safe and onward delivery to them. Umuaka Times also observed that there were about 10 bags of rice that were also kept aside for people who may have one issue or another to complain about.
In conclusion, the “love gifts” delivered to low income families in Umuaka on February 14 2025 by Chief Declan Ibezimako Dire and his wife, Lolo Djennie Gervais Dire went well.
