Umunumo
is one of the villages in Amauzari autonomous community in Isiala-Mbano Local
Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, Nigeria. Although a small village comprised
of four kindred (Umuoma, Umuhire, Umuduru and Umuokwaraji), it is one of fastest
developing villages in Amauzari community.
In
terms of the development of education, we have at least one elementary and
secondary school in Umunumo. Whereas the primary school (Progress Primary
School) is an intervention of government, the secondary school (God’s Crown
Academy) is privately owned. Most of Umunumo people had their elementary
education at Progress Primary School (formally called LA).
The
youth of Umunumo have recently started having conversations around the establishment
of a tertiary institution with the proposed name ‘Umunumo-Amauzari Institute
for Research and Human Development’ (UIRAD) which would become the first ever
degree awarding institution in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State.
In
terms of spiritual growth and development, Umunumo is one of a few villages in
Amauzari that has a completed and equipped modern church complex for spiritual worship.
The center was built and furnished single handedly by an indigenous son of
Umumumo. This achievement became possible when Umunumo village unanimously
donated all of the land called ‘Uhu-Ala’ that was a thick bush previously
dedicated to idol worship, to erect a place of worship for the entire village.
This singular milestone has since enhanced the spiritual fortification within
and around the village, bringing with it unhindered communal progress, peace
and unity. Did I mention that our local church, the Saint Andrews Church is
reportedly on the global google map!
In
terms of infrastructure and accessible road, Umunumo village is probably the
only village in Amauzari with a major length of its road constructed with alphat
and dual drainage channels. This development has significantly reduced the
impact of erosion and flooding within the village.
While
not forgetting the village’s modern civic and social development center
(Umunumo hall) and boreholes erected through kind philanthropic effort of Umunumo
people to provide constant water supply to Umunumo village at home. Of course
the idea about constant water supply became possible because the village has a
functional electricity transformer that ensures regular and less interrupted
power supply.
That
all of these efforts come through 100% community efforts speaks truly to what
it means to be a village that has a deep sense of value and shared prosperity. To
say the least, Umunumo people are ever forward thinking, proactive, peaceful,
hardworking, self-reliant and progressive.
Reputable
as being one of the fasted developing villgaes in amauzari, and recognized for these
exemplary acts of self-development and communal growth, Umunumo village has
recently become rebranded as the ‘Capital City’ of Amauzari.
Like
most other villages and communities, we have a fair share of Umunumo people
living in the diaspora. Notably however, most of the contributions from the diaspora
Umunumo indigenes to support various developmental strides at home have largely
come from individuals and/or their families, and not as an organization. For
instance, Late Chief Michael Anorue facilitated the rehabilitation of some
badly damaged classroom blocks at Progress primary school through funding by
the Rotary Club in New York. The family of Chief Festus Esoga have regularly
organized bible quiz competition for teenagers and adolescents at home. Several
other individuals have supported the village in other projects, and they are well
deserving of the credit.
Recently
however, a group of Umunummo people resident in United Kingdom and the United
States respectively, have started an association for all Umunumo people in those
counries. These are good developments, and we commend the initiators. No matter
how it is said, the role of a diaspora citizens’ group in the development of
their country or community cannot be over emphasized.
There’s
indeed, no better time than now, to sensitize Umunumo people in the diaspora
about the much needed value that they can bring home. Our village still has a
large size of challenges typical of a rural community in a low income country
such as lack of affordable, accessible and quality assured healthcare. A large
number of members of our village still walk around without knowledge of their
vital health figures like simple blood pressure and blood sugar.
Security
of lives and properties are far from being secured due to worsening economic
and high unemployment levels. Solution to these issues require some high level
contributions by our far sighted, well exposed and richly knowledgeable men and
women in the diaspora to address.
There
is a common knowledge that whenever two or more people come together in
understanding, they can achieve more (the power of synergy). Umunumo village has
started on a positive trajectory of development. It requires the collective
effort of all of us, regardless of where we live, to sustain the development
and transfer the baton to the next generation. I challenge all of us to put hands
on the deck to support this mission.
The
diaspora Umunumo people are resourceful, resilient and smart. However, our
successes cannot be complete until we have duplicated or shared those values in
the community where we still have parents, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles,
nieces, nephews and friends. It makes no sense to turn our backs on the community
where we drew our very first breath. The things we do outside that makes us to succeed;
those things we do that earn us the respect of all; those principles we have
learnt outside, like keeping the environment clean, lending our expertise to
community development and working hard in our jobs, should also be duplicated
or brought home to our mother-community. Simply put, we should lend helping
hands to Umunumo village, the land of our birth.
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Dr. Chigozie Iwuagwu (C) 2020
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