- ISTDAL President, High Chief Chris Ekeocha Hails Uzodimma As Best Performing Governor In Nigeria – “When You Go To Imo, You See Development, Not Talking”
Felix Mbata, Lagos state
The Imo State Towns Development Association, Lagos (ISTDAL) has celebrated its 40th Anniversary in grand style, with pomp and pageantry, at the Basketball Court, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday, 19th September, 2026.
The historic event, which attracted illustrious sons and daughters of Imo State, town unions, cultural troupes, captains of industry and friends of Imo State, was themed: “Deepening the Unity, Peace and Security of Imo State Through Equity, Justice and Brotherhood.”
In his anniversary address, the President General of ISTDAL, High Chief Hon. Chris Ekeocha, welcomed all dignitaries, traditional rulers, captains of industry, past presidents, presidents of town unions, members and friends of Imo State who graced the epoch occasion.
He described the 40th anniversary as a profound milestone of unity, persistence and achievements. He recalled that ISTDAL was established in 1986 as an apex socio-cultural umbrella body of all registered town unions of Imo State indigenes resident in Lagos, to serve as a platform for raising funds for the construction of an airport in Owerri, initiated by the then Military Governor, Distinguished Senator (General) Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu.
“Today that airport, the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport named after the revered first civilian Governor of old Imo State, Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe, PhD, has been realized and is indeed one of the busiest airports in Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that since 1986, ISTDAL has continued to wax stronger, birthing and sustaining numerous ideas and projects, in line with its vision to be the foremost towns development association with grassroots positive impact on its members.
Listing achievements, Chief Ekeocha disclosed that ISTDAL now has a functional Secretariat at No. 5, Adelabu Close, along Okalawon Ajayi Street, Surulere, Lagos, manned by an Admin Clerk, and owns a Toyota Hiace Bus for ease of movement. He said the association operates through various standing committees including Contact and Mobilization, State of Affairs, Imo Searchlight Magazine, Imo Carnival, Imo Hall of Fame, August Meeting, Children’s Day, Economic and Allied Matters, Political Affairs and other ad-hoc committees.
On the litigation that befell the association between 2023-2025/26, the President described it as part of growth and an unnecessary but distracting incident, adding that to the glory of God, ISTDAL emerged victorious and is now stronger.
The grand finale featured the conferment of awards and recognition on distinguished Imo sons and daughters who have excelled in their careers, vocations and businesses.
In an exclusive interview with The Unique Model Magazine after the event, High Chief Ekeocha expressed overwhelming joy at the success of the anniversary and rated the Imo State Governor highly.
“Senator Hope Uzodimma is the best performing governor in Nigeria. He is very silent, he is not loud. I doff my cap for him. When you go to Imo State, you see development, not talking,” he declared.
He clarified that ISTDAL awards are not for sale: “Our award is not an all-comers affair. We have a committee that screens the background of anyone we want to give award to, to ascertain his or her value to Imo State and Nigeria at large. We don’t give awards because of money or influence. We give awards because of people’s character and what they have done in the society.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Eze Dr. Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku, Founder/CEO of Sonia Giovanna Group, described 40 years as a great milestone and proof of persistence, determination and achievement. He said he was glad to serve as Chairman and advised participants to work in one spirit towards the growth of Imo State.
The event was coloured by cultural displays from different town unions, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Imo people, while Imo delicacies were served to participants.