Ngor-Okpala Council Boss, Mrs. Ibekwe, Bags Grassroot Renaissance Outstanding Leadership Award
By Anselem Anokwute, Owerri
The Executive Chairman of Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs. Chika Ibekwe, has been honoured with the Outstanding Leadership Award on Grassroots Mobilisation by the Imo State Federated Chapel of the Association of Local Government Information Officers (ALGIO).
The event, held on October 16, 2025, at Rockview Events Centre, Imo Government House, Owerri, brought together government officials, community leaders, and civil society representatives to celebrate exceptional leadership in grassroots governance.
According to the organisers, the award recognises Hon. Ibekwe’s “sustained, effective engagement with communities across Ngor-Okpala” and her “impactful approach to participatory local governance and inclusive development.”
In her acceptance speech, Hon. Ibekwe expressed gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to the people of Ngor-Okpala for their trust and cooperation.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award. The recognition belongs not to me alone but to the people of Ngor-Okpala whose participation and partnership made every achievement possible,” she said.
“Grassroots mobilisation goes beyond rallies or meetings. It means listening to mothers, youth, farmers, and market women; co-designing solutions; and ensuring transparency in implementation. Together, we have improved health outreach, sanitation, women and youth empowerment programmes, and local peacebuilding initiatives because we prioritised inclusion and accountability.”
The council boss also called on other leaders to embrace participatory governance and strengthen collaboration with civil society, media, and local stakeholders.
“Effective leadership is servant leadership,” she added. “If we continue to mobilise from the grassroots up, we will secure lasting development for Imo State.”
Hon. Ibekwe’s tenure has been marked by several initiatives, including community town-hall meetings, development mobilisation drives, youth and women empowerment programmes, and conflict prevention efforts that have improved cohesion and service delivery within the LGA.
Observers described her leadership model as a “replicable template” for effective local governance, anchored on accountability, inclusion, and measurable results.
The recognition by the Imo State Federated Chapel further cements her reputation as one of the state’s most dynamic and people-oriented council chairpersons.
