Obimo Community in Lagos (OCL) has marked its 20th anniversary with a call for greater unity, community development and youth empowerment, alongside a N100 million fundraising drive for the construction of a community hall.

The association’s Chairman, Comrade Gabriel Onyeisi, in his welcome address at the anniversary celebration, reflected on the organisation’s two-decade journey of promoting unity, mutual support and development among Obimo indigenes living in Lagos.

Onyeisi said the idea of bringing Obimo people in Lagos under one umbrella was conceived in 2006, culminating in the association’s first meeting in October of the same year at the residence of Chief Lookworld in Festac Town, Lagos.

He said the association had overcome disagreements and internal crises through dialogue, patience and sacrifice, emerging as a platform for collective progress. A major milestone, he noted, was the merger of the former town union structures with OCL in 2025, describing the development as a significant step towards strengthening unity among members.

According to him, the association has also supported members facing difficulties, assisted families in times of need and extended help to vulnerable members of the community.

The chairman, who is the association’s fifth chairman, urged members to sustain the spirit of togetherness while prioritising youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, care for the elderly and sustainable development.

He called on all sons and daughters of Obimo to regard the association as their collective home, irrespective of their differences.

In his address, the Coordinator of the 20th Anniversary Planning Committee, Godwin Ugwoke, said the celebration was also an opportunity to mobilise resources for the proposed community hall.

Ugwoke explained that the facility would provide a permanent venue for community meetings and events, reducing the cost of hiring external halls. It would also be made available for commercial use to generate revenue for community projects.

Ugwoke also commended past and present leaders for their sacrifices in sustaining the association over the past 20 years, while appreciating the planning committee for its efforts in organising the anniversary.

The Chairman of the day, Ozor Chukwudi Ugwu noted that when the association started 20 years ago it was like a child’s play. He provided detailed insights about how the group started including how the founders ponder about a similar group that was almost moribund when they started. He like many members of the association was excited that the OCL is able to celebrate the milestone and it was why they decided to execute a major project that would be of impact to the community and individuals. He disclosed that before now OCL has have been doing interventions in different communities including support for individuals in Obimo. “I feel happy and reason I accepted to chair this event, that after 20 years, the association is getter better and stronger. My prayer is that those coming after us will to continue to take it higher.

In the next 20 years, I see the association as a family and more galvanized to being each other brothers’ keeper.”

Also speaking, the association’s founding Secretary, Anselm Ezeh said he felt fulfilled and great that OCL was able to continue for 20 years. “I am happy we are also celebrating ourselves.”

As part of the 20th anniversary some persons were awared because of their contributions to the associations. Among them were Associate Prof. Ngozi Jennifer Ogbuyeme, Prof. Ogbonna Samuel Onyeisi, and Dr Chukwuemeka Dike.