• Kalu, Nwobodo, others honoured
From Petrus Obi, Enugu
The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on last Easter Sunday by the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Umuoka in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State was a remarkable one. It was so because the day was marked with a thanksgiving service in honour of the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Offor, as well as used to induct outstanding Igbo icons and legends into the Hall of Fame of the Foundation for the Apostleship of Igbo Development and Empowerment (FAIDE) and the Scholars Association for the Preservation of Igbo History and Civilization (SAPIC), Nigeria.
In attendance were top politicians and other dignitaries from the South-East zone.
Among the Igbo personalities honoured at the event were the former governor of Abia State and Chairman of the Slok Group, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, who was admitted into “the Hall of Fame 2016 as Legend: Most Vibrant Political Voice of the Igbo people for his unrelenting urge and love for Igbo culture and civilization.”
Also recognised was the former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, who received the ‘Legend of Good Governance of all Times’ award.
Other recipients were Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku, special adviser to the President on Justice Sector Reform/ Office, ‘Most Outstanding Public Administration of the Year;’ Dr Cosmas Agu, a successful Enugu businessman and philanthropist, ‘Legend of Integral Human Capacity Advancement of the year’ award; Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu, ‘Distinguished and Most Creative Actor of the Year;’ among others.
In a chat with Oriental News after the award, the Assistant Editor/Head, South East Bureau of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Chidi Nnadi, who received the award on behalf of Dr. Kalu, said the eminent Igbo business mogul would have personally attended the ceremony, but was still being expected back home from his overseas trip on the day of the event.
Nnadi noted that the church and its organization captured aptly the person of Kalu with the Most Vibrant Political Voice of the Igbo People award, saying that the former governor had fought so many political battles for the Igbo.
He has earlier thanked Fr. Offor and the church for finding Dr. Kalu worthy of the award.
Rev. Fr. Offor said the legends and icons were being appreciated because of their unwavering focus on ensuring sustainability of the integral development of the Igbo society in an unfavorable political, religious and economic environment.
He described the awardees as Igbo experts and professionals who have over the years endeared themselves to the generality of Nigerians, especially the South-East, for the positive contribution they brought to bear in the lives of the growing country and Igbo race in particular.
Fr. Offor explained that the award was put together by The Scholars Association for the Preservation of Igbo History and Civilization (SAPIC)
“We want to encourage and be in solidarity with our Igbo patriots, positive thinkers and contributors towards the rebirth of the race,” he said.
He described the awards as a clarion call for other Igbo elite to wake up and inspire more Igbo professionals in the making of an economic and political think-tank and cultural revival committee to make the Igbo nation great again.
The Catholic priest said the organization was out to become a part of the think-tank that will bring integral development to the South-East and drive deep the race into the national political grid and “to build on the glorious past of our heroes of Igbo pride and success.
“We challenge our inductees to help the race to be integrated into the national politics in order to engineer trust and understanding from other regions.”