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Speaking at the event, ISTDAL President High Chief Chris Ekeocha said the association was established in 1986 as an umbrella body for registered town unions of Imo indigenes resident in Lagos, created to mobilise resources and support development initiatives back home. He noted that one of its landmark advocacy efforts \u2014 the campaign for an airport in Imo \u2014 was eventually realised as the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.<\/p>\n
“Our policy thrust is to partner with any government in power in Imo and Lagos State and reach out to develop Imo State,” Ekeocha said, adding that ISTDAL had helped facilitate the establishment of Imo South-West Development Associations in Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states.<\/p>\n
In his remarks after receiving his award, Senator Anthony Adefuye<\/strong> said his long-standing relationships with members of the association showed that ethnic differences should never stop Nigerians from living and working together.<\/p>\n “Some of us were born at the same time in Lagos. Some are Igbo, some are Hausa, and some are Yoruba, but we are still the same. We hold ourselves as one, and we will always be one,” Adefuye said.<\/p>\n Chairman of the occasion, Eze Dr Chukwudi Boniface, Founder\/CEO of Sonia Giovanna Group, commended ISTDAL for holding the association together for four decades. “I congratulate them for keeping the flag flying and for bringing our people together for the past 40 years. It is not an easy task,” he said, urging members to resolve disagreements through dialogue and understanding.<\/p>\n Lady Ada Ofoegbu, JP, Chairperson of Umukaku Town Union and former 2nd Vice-President of ISTDAL, also praised the association’s achievements, attributing its progress to togetherness. “We are doing well, and with togetherness, we can achieve whatever aims and objectives we set for ourselves,” she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The anniversary featured awards in several categories to Imo men and women who had distinguished themselves in various professions and businesses, including Senator Anthony Adefuye<\/strong>, Dr Chukwudi Boniface, Bishop Francis Anunobi, Rev. Mrs Josephine Anunobi, Eze Monday Obi JP, Eze Amb. Nicholas Njoku, Chief Emmanuel Okeke, Mr Innocent Ohagwa, High Chief Anselm Njoku, Dr Chika Nwokedi, Lady Ada Ofoegbu JP, Hon. Mrs Maureen Ashara, High Chief Uzoma Osinachi, Dr ThankGod Okereh, Barr. Chuks Okeugiri, Prof. Mercy Chigamezu, Nze Edwin Egboka, Chief Moses Nwokoro Ohamadike Ndigbo, Lady Blessing Mbonu, Chief Felix Igboanugo and Mr Uzor Arukwe.<\/p>\n The awardees expressed profound gratitude and pledged continued support for the development of ISTDAL. Cultural displays, traditional dances and masquerade performances added colour to the celebration.<\/p>\n Above image\u00a0 AL-r \u2026Eze Dr Chukwudi Okparaku: Senator Anthony Adefuye: HRH Okey Anoruo:<\/strong><\/em> High Chief Chris Ekeocha, President, ISTDAL: Hon. Ashara Maureen Chika and others cutting the cake during the 40th anniversary of (ISTDAL) on deepening the unity, Peace and Security of Imo State through Equity, Justice and Brotherly Love, held at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, 19\/9\/2026\u2026Photos: Chinyere Ikeanyi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A cross-section of awardees and dignitaries at the ISTDAL 40th anniversary, where Senator Anthony Adefuye was among those honoured for distinguished service. The Imo State Towns Development Association, Lagos (ISTDAL), marked its 40th anniversary...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12828,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t![\"\"](\"http:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/g-300x193.jpeg\")
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