Covid – 19: Imo State Congress of America (ISCA) cancels Annual Convention

Following the devastating effects of covid – 19 on human health and dislocations of human activities, Imo State Congress of America (ISCA) has cancelled its annual convention.

The cancellation was in statement signed by its National President, Engr. Sampson Udeh and National Secretary, Rev. Dr. Reginald Godfrey.

According to the statement, the decision was taken after her emergency general meeting of April 11, 2020 with the decision to cancel the 2020 ISCA International Convention, scheduled to hold at Boston, Massachusetts from July 10 to July 12, 2020.

ISCA however unanimously agreed to join hands with Imo State Government in its fight against Covid – 19, having concluded arrangement to provide face masks. It also resolved to make contributions towards ensuring the State has its own test center.

The statement reads:

“Imo State Congress of America (ISCA) emerged from her emergency general meeting of April 11, 2020 with the decision to cancel the 2020 ISCA International Convention, scheduled to hold at Boston, Massachusetts from July 10 to July 12, 2020.

“The Theme of the convention is “Njikota aka na oganihu Imo State” (Progress of Imo State through collaboration). Considering the uncertainty COVID-19 pandemic has caused, including travel restrictions, lockdown, and the safety of attendees being utmost in our minds, ISCA preferred cancelling the convention and devoting its energy and resources towards working with Imo State government to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus in Imo State.

“ISCA has already embarked on the production of face masks to be distributed among the most vulnerable individuals and front-line workers in Imo State, free of charge. In addition to the face masks, Dr. Jovita Anyanwu and his fellow medical experts and scientists who constitute the ISCA Health Committee, recommended that ISCA works hard to assist in providing test centers/test materials in Imo state.

“The primary purpose of the convention was to bring together distinguished Imolites from all parts of the world to brainstorm and strategize on how to make Imo State the best state in Nigeria, in terms of education, infrastructural development, manufacturing, engineering and technology. ISCA, the umbrella of Imo organizations in the United States of America is determined to do everything humanly possible to advance unity, good health and prosperity in Imo State. The Coronavirus pandemic gives us another opportunity for the membership to demonstrate our support and good wishes for our people.

“ISCA was ready and prepared to challenge each organ of the association to action during the cancelled convention. These well-established ISCA Committees headed by eminent Imo State professionals from different professions were ready to unleash their talents in making the convention a memorable one before COVID-19 pandemic hit the US, shutting down all human activities. These organs or committees include:

“The ISCA Health Committee headed by Dr. Jovita Anyanwu with other Imo State born medical professionals, held a series of emergency meetings and came up with strategies to save lives in Imo state, considering the State’s limited resources and little assistance available from the federal government. ISCA acknowledges the efforts of the Imo State government towards the fight against COVID-19 pandemic with its limited resources. ISCA intends to deploy all available resources in creating public awareness about the novel virus through her local structures already on ground in Imo State and headed by Lady Isabela Asinobi, ISCA Women Coordinator and Queen Sera Ukasanya, the Youth Coordinator.

“The ISCA Diaspora Committee, headed by Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Nwokeji, coordinated most of the Diaspora efforts in making sure the convention achieved its goals. The program included an opportunity to encourage our children seeking higher education, to secure admission and scholarships to the elite universities in the United States. A tour of some of the elite universities around Boston, such as the Harvard University, etc. would help motivate their ambitions towards that goal. A meeting with admission counselors in these universities was also planned.

“The ISCA Education Committee headed by Chief/Dr. George Ohakamnu is working out a modality for an exchange program with Universities of high repute in United States and in Imo State, including a sabbatical engagement with some of our renowned eminent professors/Scientists in various disciplines.

“The Environmental and Works committee under the leadership of Dr. George Njoku has initiated the desire to work with the state government on the issue of Transportation sustainability and Environment challenges in Imo state.

“The ISCA Industry and Investment Committee headed by Sir. John Ngerem conversed with potential investors to come and meet with Imo State government representatives at the convention. ISCA understands that one of the challenges facing Imo State is boosting Imo State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and reducing the unemployment rate. ISCA worked hard in inviting businesses and industrialists interested in Imo state market and industry to use the convention at Boston for personal investment incentives and exchange of ideas.

“The need for the production of our local agricultural products has been the ardent desire of the ISCA Agricultural Committee, headed by our eminent professor, Chief/ Prof. Alex Acholonu, OON, who has made several public presentations on the efficient production of the sweet corn among other indigenous agricultural products to be exported, if well-advertised. In the past, Prof Acholonu has also sponsored and promoted the local production of the sweet corn in his local community in Imo state.

“The safety of life and property of Imo citizens is the key to achieving social, economic and political stability. ISCA Security and Intelligent Committee, headed by Chief Frank Ekigwe is focusing on a special application that will help Imo State communities work in collaboration with each other to secure life and property in the State. ISCA is of the opinion that, Imo State should not be distracted from our current security challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic prevention problems notwithstanding.

“The ISCA Board of Directors, led by Chief/Dr. Anayo Ukeje has the primary responsibilities of advising and counseling ISCA executives and members as well as providing stability through prompt reconciliatory interventions. ISCA BOD is currently meeting to re-strategize on how best to maximize support for the association, especially ISCA’s effort in fighting the killer COVID-19 pandemic in Imo State.

“The “Onyeahalanwanne ya” Program, headed by Hon. Kevin Nkwocha was to be adopted and ratified at the convention. This initiative calls us to be our brother’s keepers and be there for one another, especially at times of need. Approval of this committee by membership will be handled later in a general membership meeting.

“The ISCA Youth and Sports Committee is chaired by Mr. Kelechi Anuna, an international professional basketball player who has agreed to assemble other professional players of Imo State origin in various sports to mentor our youths in Imo State. This grass roots campaign is geared towards encouraging our youths and giving them the platform to excel in sports. The youth planned a robust agenda for the convention this year.

“The ISCA Strategic Committee headed by Chief/Dr. Cyprian Osuoha is responsible for advising the Congress on public policy. This committee was expected to moderate the “Eddy Ukaegbu Leadership Lecture Series” in a Town Hall format at the convention. This would have been an opportunity for Imo in Diaspora to hear directly from the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and his cabinet members, on the state of affairs in Imo state. Similarly, Imo State Senators and legislators from the three senatorial zones would have also had the opportunity to brief members of their zones in Diaspora regarding the state of affairs in their respective zones. This meeting was to be moderated by Chief Frank Ekigwe (ISCA VP, Okigwe zone) for Okigwe Senatorial Zone, Chief Livinus Madu (ISCA VP, Orlu zone) for Orlu Senatorial zone and Benson Ekeocha (VP Owerri zone) for Owerri Senatorial Zone. Eminent past governors, legislators, stakeholders, industrialists and business tycoons of Imo State origin were expected to participate at these town hall meetings.

“The numerous achievements of Imo State legislators from all the chambers are being monitored and noted by ISCA Awards and Sanction Committee, chaired by Chief Sam Okere. The exceptional leadership achievements awards were to be awarded at the convention to deserving members. Also, men and women who made selfless sacrifices and significant improvements in the lives of Imolites were to be recognized too.

“The ISCA Women Committee, led by Lady Chinwe Njoku planned some women engagements and round table meetings with global Imo women leaders. The high-powered ISCA Women Summit, in collaboration with the ISCA Diaspora Committee led by Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Nwokeji and the Imo Diaspora Office in Owerri was billed to hold at this convention. Issues affecting Imo women, both home and abroad were to be deliberated upon. ISCA women looked forward to networking and deliberating among themselves on issues relating to Women empowerment in Imo state. ISCA conventions have always been rallying grounds for Imo women. They bring joy and flavor to our conventions. “A Convention Ever To Remember” was the theme for the ISCA women in this year’s canceled convention. They would have consolidated their efforts to lunch their major project, the “Bus Shelter Project” in Imo state. All these plans were aborted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The ISCA Women Committee looked forward to the colorful Friday Cultural Night where ISCA showcases its youths and crown the year’s (2020) Ada Imo and Opara Imo. To be missed at this year’s convention and at the cultural night is ISCA Scholarship Program. This is usually the event where ISCA recognizes its graduating youths and award scholarships to qualifying college bound students.

“The Membership and Mobilization committee, under the leadership of Dr. Mary Therese Agwarah is reaching out to Imo organizations in all the states and cities in the US that have not joined ISCA to do so immediately.

“The task of planning, coordinating and executing all the convention projects was not an easy job. The ISCA National Convention Planning Committee, led by Sir Stan Chukwuezi and the ISCA Local Planning Committee led by Sir Emma Orji and Chief Austin Ibe were jointly and totally responsible for the flawless execution of all the convention projects. These seemed logistically complicated, but these committees didn’t have any problems cruising almost to the finish line before the pandemic halted further movements. They did a wonderful job. We are also grateful to Chief Tony Nosike, President of Imo State Association, Massachusetts and all the Imolites for their perseverance. The ISCA Convention Torch which has touched down in New York, New Jersey, Detroit, Chicago, Tennessee, Atlanta, Tampa, Oklahoma, Dallas and heading to Boston is halted till 2021.

“The good news is that all these plans and packages are safely rolled over to 2021 at the same city of Boston in the Commonwealth State of Massachusetts. A popular Igbo adage says that “a scheduled battle does not consume the crippled”. See you next year (2021) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

“Stay Safe! Stay Well!”