The coming together of Imo State indigenes in Vienna to form this organization was informed by necessity. The need to have a forum where people from Imo State will regularly gather, discuss issues concerning Imo State and its people, and contribute to the good of their society. It came like a dream that a couple of Imolites dreamed it, shared it and pursued the course of making it come real. In 2011, Imo State Community in Austria (IMSCOM) began to exist.
In the first meeting hosted on November 20, 2011 at Akaraka Restaurant in Koppstraße 52, 1160 Wien, Chief Wise Ibe (Ochimba 1 of Isu) was nominated to become Interim Chairman to moderate the meeting, while Mr Prince Frank took the minutes. When the Interim Secretary traveled to Nigeria for a longer stay, Mag Jude Okonkwo volunteered to assist and continued from where the Interim Secretary left. After some months the meeting decided to confirm Chief Ibe Interim Chairman, Mag Okonkwo as Interim Secretary, Mrs Doris Ajaegbu as Financial Secretary, Mr Uzoma Ahamuefule as Social Officer and Chief Okey Osman as provost.
After couple of meetings have passed, a constitution drafting committee was set up to draft constitution for the organization. The constitution drafting committee include: Mag Pharm Dom Aghaizu, Dr Chukwuma Ohajiriogu, and Mr Chukwudi Ndokwu. The drafting committee proposed names for the union and popular vote by the members favoured Association of Imo State Indigenes in Austria (AISIA). Following the adoption of the name, the union proceeded for its registration with Austrian authority as required by law.
First Election
In December 2013, a general election was scheduled but due to certain constraints the election was on the supposed election day shifted to anytime convenient in 2014. The election committee Chairman -Dr Chukwuma Ohajiriogu, resigned and consequently the Committee was dissolved. On February 2014 general meeting, Mr Uche Awuruibeh and Mr Rowland Onwudiwe were nominated to help the Interim Executive Committee as Social and Publicity Secretary and Asst Financial secretary respectively.
Second Election
A general election was conducted on Sunday, November 1st, 2014. The election committee was led by Mr Ben Ogbuebele, Mr Jude Akakwam and Mr Chijioke Ugorji. The election produced the first substantive executive committee of the union. The 1st Executive Committee members were as follows:
- Chief Wise Ibe President
- Mr Godwin Obirieze Vice President
- Mr Uche Elias Awuruibeh General Secretary
- Mr Elvis Anyanwu Asst. General Secretary
- Mrs Doris Ajaegbu Financial Secretary
- Mr Edwin Nwaka Asst. Financial Secretary/Treasurer
- Mrs Josephine Kalunta Social/PRO
- Mr Chijioke Ugorji Asst. Social/PRO
- Chief Okey Osman Chief Provost
The new Executive Committee swung into action and planned end year get-together for Imo State people in Vienna both registered and yet to register members of the union. In their first general meeting in February 2016, the Executive Committee presented the House with their administrative blue print, detailing all they intended to achieve within the administrative calendar. Prominent in the blue print include: organizing a successful official inauguration of the union in Austria, strengthening the union in Vienna and beyond, reviewing the constitution to the taste of time, building bridge with the home government and other social services.
The 1st Executive Committee had to their credit the following achievements
- Successfully changed of the union’s name from AISIA to Imo State Community (IMSCOM),
- Successfully organized IMSCOM official inauguration on September 24, 2016,
- Strengthened Imo State Community in population and unity,
- Imo Football Club continue to dominate in Igbo Sport Festival, winning and defending the trophy since 2015 till 2018,
- Creating a functional website and WhatsApp platform for effective and efficient information dissemination,
- Reviewed the constitution to bring it to taste of time, and
- Formulated and produced a home project tagged “IMSCOM Education Project” that would be continued by their succeeding Executive Committee.
Third Election
On May 5, 2018, an Election Committee was constituted to organize a free and fair election for new officers. The Election Committee comprised of Mr Chukwudi Ndokwu as Chairman, Ingr John Okeke as Secretary and Mrs Chioma Cabe as member. The committee conducted a general election on Sunday, the 5th of May 2019, which saw the emergence of the following members as the Executive Committee.
- Mr Patrick Orisakwe President
- Mr Austin Nwadike Vice President
- Mag Uche E. Awuruibeh General Secretary
- Mr Daniel Chukwuma Asst. Gen. Secretary
- Mr Kenneth Akudike Financial Secretary
- Mrs Chioma Cabe Asst. Fin. Sec./Treasurer
- Mr Chijioke Ugorji Social/PRO
- Mr Jude Emenike Asst. Soc./PRO
- Mrs Alice Ogbuebele Chief Provost
There is high expectations from the 2nd Executive Committee taking cognizance that their predecessor have perfected ground for their administration. It is expected that the Executive Committee will continue from where the predecessor stopped.
