Members of the “Igbo Buru Otu,” a socio-cultural group, gathered at the Palace of its founder and President, Eze Chika Nwokedi, in the Ijegun area of the state over the weekend to celebrate its 7th anniversary and to appreciate God for His protection over the members and their respective families in Lagos State. The chief host and president of the association, Eze Nwokedi, in his address, acknowledged the contributions of all members in ensuring the progress the association had recorded over the years and commended them to remain steadfast and not relent.
Eze Nwokedi, who is now the first Council Chairman of Ndi Ezes in Lagos maintained that the association was founded in 2016 with the objective of uniting, encouraging, and supporting one another in various ways in Lagos and uplifting the oppressed in the society, catering for the widows, less privileged, the needy among other things have done well so far in accomplishing these objectives.“The association has vast benefits for its members. Through the association many are landlords, we give loans to members without collateral or interest with an extensively conducive period of payment. The homeless have also been given opportunities to live in a built home by the association as well as so many other benefits,” he stated
He explained that the association, over the years, had done so much to achieve its aims despite societal challenges and has recorded impressive contributions from members to cater to the poor and vulnerable, the widows, and restored hope to the hopeless in society. He stated further that apart from the less privileged in the society, which cut across every tribe, its members have also benefitted from the housing scheme provided by its founder, who created opportunities for members by means of philanthropy to own lands and build houses at affordable prices enough to serve most of its members. 
The newly inaugurated chairman of Ndi Ezes in Lagos further stated that the association, over the years, had organized symposium and other enlightenment programmes where security personnel was invited to educate the members on their rights and responsibilities as citizens as well as other educative interactive sessions held to strengthen the essence of the group. This, he explained was made possible as a result of his closeness with the Police dated back to many years of cordial relationship as he mostly reciprocated by supporting them whenever the need to so arises, noting that the group had also recognized some notable security personnel in appreciation of their exemplary performance in their line of duty. 
Accordingly, the event provided an opportunity to reward some members for their contributions and selfless services to the association.
They include the Wife of Eze Nwokedi,HRM Queen Pst. (Dr.) Tessy Chika Nwokedi, Chinevizor Chibuzo, Captain Tony Anioma(T-Black), Chief Chisimdi Ezediokwere, Lolo Chizoba Okoli, Mario Francis E,
Chief Dr. Chukwuemeka Godswill Ogbuka, Lolo Ifeoma Goodness Ogbuka, Rev. Dr. Moses Okwuosa, Osita Okeke, Onyekachi Chijioke, Oguama Chukwuma and Chief Arinze Opara.Eze Nwokedi explained that the members given awards had in their capacity contributed selflessly in cash and kind to the growth and development of the association and deserved to be recognized.
Some of the executive members who spoke to newsmen at the event commended Eze Nwokedi for the various achievements the association had recorded in the past while looking at the future with hope for more achievements.
Vice President of the association, Chief (Dr.) Chukwuemeka Godswill Ogbuka, the current said the event was well thought out to solidify unity amongst its members and advised Igbos in general to be law-abiding citizens. He lauded highly the founder of the association for creating beneficial projects to elevate members.
On his part, the Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Oluchi Amaefula, stated that the founder, Eze Nwokedi had demonstrated leadership and had done well to unite the association without any discrimination.In his contribution, Chief Ifeanyi Iguegbe also said the association had grown effortlessly over the years to its 7th year of existence in 2023. Iguegbe said that the essence of the event was to ease out on irregular activities from the beginning of the year so far and as a way of Thanksgiving to God for protection and provision over the members of the association. He also said the humanitarian activities of the association cut across tribes and cultural backgrounds. He also revealed that the only notable challenge is sponsors, who will support the course of the association.
Also speaking, Dr. Tessy Chika Nwokedi, commended the founder of the association for the notable achievements so far since its inception, adding that members of the association had benefitted greatly as well as contributed to the growth of its existence. She disclosed that the association is reputed before the public eye due to the magnanimity shown in different capacities to persons of interest and even non-Igbo tribes. As the wife of the founder, she is tasked with taking up responsibilities to oversee the activities of the association and can vividly attest to the fact that it is a non-tribal group.On his part, the Legal Adviser and Chairman Board of Trustees of the association, Mr. Nnajiego, noted that all legal matters of the association were treated by his office, insisting that the members have been law-abiding citizens.
Also speaking, Rev Dr. Moses C Okwuosa, Chief Shepherd Refiner’s Fire Deliverance Chapel Int’l Ministry, 2nd Vice President, stated that since the formation of the group in 2016 under Eze (Dr.) CC Nwokedi, the association does not only help the Igbos but humanity in general, and has been making a great impact despite some financial constraints.He explained that the essence of the event was to reunite its members and to officially welcome the new excos ceremonially.
Chief Emmanuel Onyebuchi Adimdu, former Vice President of the association also noted that the association had grown immensely from what it was 6 years back, a notable development that had borne a great deal of popularity and prestige due to its non-tribal activities of philanthropy to the less privileged as well as its members who need any form of financial support.
He also stated that the event was created to celebrate oneness, grace, and progress amongst the members as law-abiding citizens with utmost morality.
The highlight of the well-attended event was the inauguration of Eze (Dr.) C.C. Nwokedi as the chairman of Ndi Ezes in Lagos state.