Fides Media Living the Faith
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Anambra State Chapter of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group and umbrella body of the Igbo leadership, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Friday, September 23, celebrated the 2022 Igbo Day with patriotic and prominent Igbo people in attendance.
Speaking to newsmen in Awka, the chairman of the planning committee, Chief Nwabufo Nwankwo, reiterated the readiness of the group to host the 2022 Igbo Day and to inaugurate executive members. Igbo-centric lectures and the presentation of various awards to deserving stakeholders who have contributed immensely to the growth and prosperity of the Igbo nation were witnessed during the event.
According to Chief Nwabufo, the theme of the 2022 Igbo Day celebration was “Arịrị Akaria (lamentation of the Igbo Nation): The Position of the Igbo Person”. This theme, according to him, was unavoidably birthed given the prolonged none involvement of the Igbo in people in key national positions of the Nigerian state. He maintained that the event addressed pressing issues of the Igbo Nation and asked thoughtful questions regarding the fate of every Igbo person in the country.
For his part, the chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Anambra State Chapter, Chief Emeka Udodeme, said that given the historical and political history of the Igbo nation with a focus on Anambra State, the organisation would in the event, honour some prominent Ndi Anambra who had contributed immensely to the growth, development and sustainability of the Igbo Nation.
Speaking on the personalities of some of the awardees, Chief Udodeme disclosed that the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige; the chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, HRM Igwe Dr Alfred Achebe (Obi of Onitsha); HRH. Igwe K. O. N. ORIZU; Rt. Hon. Uche Victor Okafor – Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly; Engr. Prince Arthur Eze; Chief Cletus Ibeto; Chief Innocent Chukwuma; Chief J. I. Ejison; Chief Ben Nwabueze; Sir Emeka Offor; Sen. Stella Oduah; Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Ubah; Sen. Uche Ekwunife, among others, was awarded based on their respective contributions to the Igbo Nation.
The event, according to Chief Udodeme, was well attended by well-meaning Igbo persons who aspired to expand their horizon on issues regarding Ndigbo.
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra State, was the special guest of honor, while Mr Val Ozigbo chaired the occasion.