All is set for the launch of Attorney Charles Foundation, an initiative founded by Attorney Charles Chibuike Onyirimba, a United States of America based Attorney to drive women’s empowerment and youth development in vulnerable communities.
The Ehime Mbano born intellectual giant who left the shores of this country for greener pasture in 1981 said what really informed his decision to form the foundation was the desire to give back to the society.
Onyirimba who spoke through his Director of Media, Harriet Ijeoma, said,”the foundation was also motivated by his commitment to the improves welfare of Imo people who deserve the best.
Narrating his experience and how he moved from grass to grace,”Attorney Onyirimba, said his parents were retired Headmaster and School Teacher respectively, attended Madonna High School, in Ihitte Etiti L.G.A from where he passed out in flying colours in 1978.
He said he briefly attended Government College Umuahia in 1979 for his Higher School Certificate (HSC) before proceeding to the Unites States of America in 1981, where he founded and served as the pioneer President of Umueze II Academic Union and Youths Against Corruption between 1979 and 1981.
He thereafter obtained a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Journalism from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma in December, 1984.
Charles Onyirimba said as one who was propelled by his unabated appetite for the Golden Fleece, he obtained his Graduate and Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida in 1987.
According to him,” After graduation from Law School, he worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation as a Prosecuting Attorney .During this period, i led a signature campaign in the United States, to mobilize support for the Ibrahim Babangida’s administration effort to prosecute foreign countries who were using Nigeria as a dumping ground. The campaign recorded about 75,00 signatories who supported the prosecuting efforts of the Babangida-led government.”
Onyirimba whose leadership attributes manifested very early was elected President, African Students Association comprising students from 25 countries while in the second year.
According Harriet Ijeoma, Director of Media, Attorney Charles Onyirimba Foundation is motivated by the Founders passing and commitment to the improves welfare of Imo people who he says deserve the best.
In 1989, Atty. Onyirimba moved to Atlanta Georgia. While in Atlanta, Attorney Onyirimba became involved in local civic and religious groups. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Associations, American Inns of Court Foundations, Georgia Bar Association and American Bar Association.
“In 1993, Atty. Onyirimba was overwhelmingly elected President of the Igbo Union, Atlanta, USA. In this capacity, i united all thirty two organizations of Igbo origin in Atlanta. In my second year as President of Igbo Union, Atty. Onyirimba launched the first phase of 1.5 million dollar Igbo Culture Centre in Atlanta.”
“In 1994, Atty. Onyirimba and other Igbo leaders in American founded the World Igbo congress headquartered in Houston, Texas. The World Igbo Congress is the main political umbrella of all Igbo organizations in America and rest of the World. Atty. Onyirimba served as the first Chairman, Membership Recruitment and Mobilization Committee of World Igbo Congress.”
“As president of Igbo Union, Atty. Onyirimba developed and created the Igbo Union Logo and emblem; founded and created the First magazine for Igbo Union called the OGENE; created the first and only Igbo Union Mediation Council which helped settle disputes among Igbos in Atlanta and Igbo leaders in other states; Expanded the Igbo Union 4th of July celebration into a national event.
As President, Atty. Onyirimba invited and hosted the Ikemba Nnewi, H.E. Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on the way forward for Ndigbo.”
“As president, Atty. Onyirimba invited and hosted H.E. Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe, former governor of Old Imo State.
” I was also the first black student to contest for President of the Student Government at Oklahoma State University that had 32,000 students.
Attorney Charles Onyirimba who is currently a member of Mbano People Assembly, Atlant Georgia, Legal Adviser, Okigwe Provisional World Assembly, Member. Imo State Congress of America, Atlanta Chapter and Igbo Union, Attlanta, according to his Foundation’s Media Director, Harriet Ijeoma is poised to contribute his quota towards enhancing the socio-economic wellbeing of Imolites who he said are very enterprising despite the daunting challenges occasioned by the harsh economic realities in the country.”