It was glitz, glamour, culture and honour as Imo indigenes resident in Lagos shut down the National Stadium in celebration of 40 years of unity and brotherhood.
The Imo State Towns Development Association, Lagos (ISTDAL), on Saturday, September 19, 2026, held the grand finale of its 40th Anniversary at the Basketball Court, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, in an atmosphere filled with pomp and pageantry.
The epoch event, themed “Deepening the Unity, Peace and Security of Imo State Through Equity, Justice and Brotherhood,” attracted illustrious sons and daughters of Imo State, traditional rulers, past presidents, presidents of town unions, cultural troupes, captains of industry and friends of Imo State.
In his anniversary address, President General of ISTDAL, High Chief Hon. Chris Ekeocha, said 40 years is a profound milestone of persistence, determination and achievement.
He recalled that ISTDAL was founded in 1986 as the apex socio-cultural umbrella body of all registered town unions of Imo indigenes in Lagos, with the patriotic mission of 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,” Ekeocha said.
He noted that ISTDAL has grown from a fundraising platform to a formidable institution with a functional Secretariat at No. 5, Adelabu Close, off Okalawon Ajayi Street, Surulere, manned by an Admin Clerk, and a Toyota Hiace Bus for operations.
According to him, the association thrives through 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 and Political Affairs.
He added that ISTDAL has facilitated the establishment of Imo South-West Development Associations in Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States.
“Our policy thrust is to partner with any government in power in Imo and reach out to develop Imo State,” he stated.
On the litigation that rocked the association from 2023 to 2025/26, Ekeocha described it as a growth phase: “It was unnecessary and distracting, but to the glory of God, we emerged victorious and stronger.”
Speaking with newsmen Ekeocha rated Governor Hope Uzodimma as the best performing governor in Nigeria.
“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 was emphatic 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,” he said.
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Chairman of the Occasion, Eze Dr. Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku, Founder/CEO of Sonia Giovanna Group, congratulated ISTDAL for sustaining unity 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, and I commend the continuity and leadership they have demonstrated,” he said.
He urged members to embrace dialogue in resolving differences, stressing that unity remains the bedrock of progress.
Senator Anthony Adefuye, who was honoured at the event, said his relationship with ISTDAL members over the years proves Nigerians can live as one despite tribe.
“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
The climax of the celebration was the conferment of merit awards on distinguished Imo sons and daughters and friends of Imo State who have excelled in various fields.
Among the honourees were Eze Dr. Chukwudi Boniface Okparaku, 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, Eze 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, Mr. Uzor Arukwe and Senator Anthony Adefuye.
The awardees expressed profound gratitude and pledged continued support for ISTDAL and Imo State.
The Basketball Court came alive with cultural displays, traditional dances, masquerade performances and sumptuous Imo delicacies, showcasing the rich heritage of Ndi-Imo.
As the curtains fell, it was clear that ISTDAL @ 40 was not just a celebration of age, but a celebration of a legacy built on equity, justice and brotherhood.
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