Endorsements, solidarity and support have continued to go the way of Amb John Metchie, the President- General (PG) of Umueri General Assembly (UGA) in Anambra State as community members, leaders and elders, including those in Diaspora have reaffirmed their stand behind him as his administration marks 16 months in office this July.

The latest in the stream of solidarities is from Quarter Leaders, also known as Ikenga Umueri which said the administration of Dr. John Metchie, has revolutionised community leadership in the state.

They also praised Chief Metchie for his humility and loyalty to the state Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as he always give credit to the Governor in all his public and media outings.

In a statement on Sunday, the Chairman of Ikenga Umueri, Chief Okolo Ibegbunem, said that Chief Metchie is the only PG that brought true peace to Umueri and also engendered peaceful co-existence between Umueri, Aguleri, Umuoba-Anam and other neighbouring communities.
He recalled that Chief Metchie bought security vehicles for all the quarters in Umueri even before he became the President-General and that as the community’s leader, it was unprecedented that apart from equipping Umueri vigilante group with work materials and surveillance vehicles, the PG went out of his way to also donate patrol cars to vigilante groups of neighbouring villages in order to ensure harmonious working relationship with them.

He said that the rehabilitation, remodeling and equipping of Umueri General Hospital as well as establishment of Dental clinic and deployment of doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health workers in the community by the state government was one of the greatest and most enduring achievements of the PG.

According to the Ikenga chairman, PG Metchie personal initiative called ‘Light-Up Umueri Project’ through which over 150 households, IDP camp and others have been provided solar powered energy is something extraordinary that would be celebrated for years to come, the same with ptvision of CCTV by the UGA executive committee under his leadership.

Chief Okolo Ibegbunem also recalled the award of scholarship, skill acquisition, training and donation of work equipment to hundreds of women and youths of Umueri, all in just one year and three months in office as PG.

He said that the entire Ikenga Umueri are equally grateful to Metchie for construction of modern market which monitored all day round with CCTV and construction of feeder roads, among others.

In the light of these and other developments brought to Umueri and those attracted to the community by him from the local and state government as well as international donor agencies, especially during the 2022 devastating flood, Chief Okolo said it is only God that would reward Metchie, as no amount of appreciation by the people can pay him for his good deeds.

Okolo however advised those he described as enemies of progress and their known sponsors, to purge their hearts and minds of envy over the rising but well deserved profile of Chief Metchie.

He said that Metchie’s emergence as the Deputy Commander General of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) in charge of Technical Services and appointment as African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA) are things that every Umueri sons and daughters should be proud of instead of envy by some disgruntled elements.

Okolo decried what he described as sinister attempts to divide UGA leadership, being plotted by those who are supposed to be fathers of the community and warned that the people may be forced to revolt if attempts to smear the PG’s name are not stopped with immediate effect.

He recalled how the same sponsor of the enemies of progress worked against former PGs Goddy Obidike, Pius Okonkwo and Sunday Udaloh, adding that any attempt to treat PG Metchie with disdain would be met with people’s anger and revolt.

It would be recalled that several organisations and community leaders in Umueri last week wrote petitions to the state Governor, through the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, with warning for trouble makers to allow the community continue to enjoy ongoing peace and development under Metchie’s leadership as PG.

They also passed vote of confidence on Metchie and his deputy, Mr. John Udenze. Those who signed the letter include Prof. Ugugua Ikpeze, Chief Frank Ibegbunam, Chairman, Ikenga Umueri, Elder Justin Uderika Morah, Chairman, Nneyi Umueri, Chief Chuma Nweke and Comrade Chinedu Ekweonu, among others.

Another group, Umueri Liberation Forum (ULF), on Sunday, also warned trouble makers not to provoke the youths of Umueri by causing division in UGA leadership.

UFL particularly sent message to a prominent personality in the community (name withheld), saying his clandestine activities are being watch and would be met with regrets if he fail to desist from divisive tendencies and moves.

In the letter to the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs signed by Chief Nwakanma Obiora and Chuma Neice, ULF said there was no doubt that there has been absolute peace, tranquility and unprecedented development in Umueri for the past one year under and pledged unalloyed support for Chief Metchie and his team.