The auditorium of Paragon Hotel, Eke Nguru, Aboh Mbaise, Imo State, will come alive tomorrow as the people of Mbaise gather for the 2016 edition of the annual Mbaise Colloquium.
The theme for the 2016 edition is “South East Economic Integration for National Development, a topic considered focal for sustained economic development.
Recently, political, religious and traditional leaders and statesmen from the Southeast gathered in Owerri, the Imo State capital, to discuss the need for collaboration to enhance regional integration and development. This is an idea whose time is now.
The Colloquium paper will be presented by Dr. Chris Asoluka, an erudite scholar and intellectual who was a former member of the Federal House of Representatives and former Commissioner for Finance, Imo State.
The paper discussants will be Prof J.U.J Onwumere, Dean, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, and Barrister Patrick Ekeanyanwu, President, Oganihu Mbaise, Port Harcourt. The Chairman of the occasion will be Chief Felix Chukwu, former Chairman, Federal Road Safety Commission.
In a statement, the Director of Publicity and Mobilization, MPC, Chuks O. Enwerem, said: “Since the beginning of Mbaise Colloquium in 1995, the traditional date has always been August 14 every year. However, because the 14th of August, 2016 happened to be a Sunday, the Congress shifted the event backward to Saturday August 13th.
As usual, the Mbaise Colloquium is a gathering of Mbaise intelligentsia, professionals, corporate and traditional leaders of thought both at home and in the Diaspora to discuss contemporary issues.
He said this year’s Colloquium is strategic and is aimed at drawing attention to educating people about the imperative of synergizing within the region to tap from the strength of their unity.
The Congress enjoins all sons and daughters of Mbaise nation to turn out en masse to attend and fully participate in the discussion that follows the paper delivery.
The National President of Mbaise People’s Congress, Ochiagha Ano Anyanwu, stated that Mbaise Colloquium has been conducted by MPC for the past 20 years and the lectures had been compiled into a book titled, Towards a Greater Mbaise, available for purchase by interested persons.
Founded in 1994 as a non-partisan and non-governmental association of young and dynamic Mbaise professionals, MPC implements her programmes through research, education, and civic engagements.