Follow Us on Google
From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Sunday, December 11 would remain a day to remember at the Abuja palatial home of the Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
It was a day that eminent personalities drawn from the upper echelons of the public service, business and politics converged for the 60th birthday anniversary of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah-Arisa (rtd). The event was at Senator Kalu’s instance.
As guests arrived Senator Kalu’s Aso-Villa residence to the warm welcome of the former governor, they were made to take exclusive photographs with any of the five gigantic, colourfully designed backdrops bearing beautiful images of Ehuriah mounted at the entire passageway leading to the venue of the birthday celebration.
The host, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and his beautiful Wife, Ifunanya had organised the event in honour of Georgina’s 60th Birthday and her retirement from the Federal Civil Service on 30th October 2020.
Born on 12th August 1963 ,Georgina Ehuriah-Arisa who is married to Chief Loveday Arisa got engaged into the Federal civil service in 1985. She rose through the ranks over the years to become the nation’s pioneer Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in 2017. She was appointed Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior and assumed duties on the May 28 2019 from where she retired after 37 years of meritorious service.
The arrival of Georgina Ehuriah-Arisa who recently authored a book, On Merit, signalled the commencement of the evening event. Flanked by her children and well wishers, she was attired in a shiny red dress designed with gold plates. She proceeded to greet Orji Kalu who was on standby, awaiting her arrival.
The subsequent arrival of the Chairman of the occasion and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, his wife, Mrs. Fumilayo Mustapha and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan set the ball rolling.
The event was a parade of eminent personalities. They include Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbeshola; Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina; Senator Representing Kogi Central, Senator Oseni Yakubu; Controller General Federal Fire Service, Jaji Olola Abdulganiyu; Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) , Alhaji Haliru Nababa; Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO) , Mbaeri Maurice Nnamdi and his Wife ; Permanent Secretary Police Service Commission, Dr. Ifeoma Anyanwutaku; Commissioner Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Ado .A. Ja’afar; Member House of Representatives for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Sam Onuigbo and Solicitor -General of the Federation / Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice , Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba.
Also in the list were Director, Corporate Service, Legal Services Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Haruna Ari; Controller General Nigerian Correctional Service, Alhaji Ja‘afaru (Rtd) ; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Culture, DCNS Grace Isu-Gekpe (Rtd): Director Office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Uche Obi; Deputy Director, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs. Ijeoma Idika; Assistant Controller General Federal Fire Service Ijeoma Achi Okidi amongst so many others.
Following an opening prayer, the programme commenced. In his introductory remarks, the chief host showered encomiums on the Uzuakoli born-writer.
“I want to specially thank the Speaker for taking time out of his busy schedule to be here and for always honouring my events. To Ehuriah, this is just the beginning of life. You should reapply to the SGF to return to the civil service, because you are the embodiment of physical and intellectual greatness. I wish you all the very best. I congratulate you on your new age. Myself and my family will continue to stand by you,” Kalu said .
A short documentary showing the life and times of Georgina was displayed on the gigantic monitor screen erected at the venue to provide additional display of the live event.
After the short film, a pre-recorded interview of serving and former office holders and relatives was also played, even as they recounted their remarkable encounters with Georgina. They described her as a woman of valour who laid indelible marks at the Federal Civil Service.
As the occasion sauntered into the breezy night, Georgina’s children – Miracle Adaku and Sinachi Georgina, relatives and other dignitaries congratulated and rendered Georgina’s endearing qualities.
Representative of the President, Mr. Femi Adesina delivered President Buhari’s goodwill message to the former Permanent Secretary.
The President described Georgina as the accomplished civil servant, who kept an enviable record in the civil service, rising through the ranks to the peak of her career as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, where she retired.
He said: “The President commends the Uzoakoli born-writer for documenting her unique set of experiences from childhood to adulthood, as well as expertise in the civil service, into literature.
“President Buhari trusts that the reflections on the life’s journey of the amazon will continue to inspire more womenfolk to play prominent roles in the public service.”
Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha extended his felicitations to Georgina for attaining 60. The SGF also reminisced on her numerous achievements. He acknowledged Georgina’s contributions during her era in the civil service. “You worked hard and your diligence saw you to the pinnacle of your career as a Federal Permanent Secretary. Additionally, you have been a blessing and have left indelible marks on the sands of time in Nigeria’s rich history as well as countless positive impacts on the lives of so many people. You have also proven to remain a strong pillar to your family. For these and much more, we are grateful to God for preserving you in good health.”
Mustapha prayed for God’s blessings and protection upon her, wishing her blissful years in her future endeavours.
A major part of the event was when the mother of the celebrant, Mrs. Mary Ihedinma Alaukwu was given a special recognition to the admiration of the guests.
Georgina also expressed her gratitude to her siblings, some of who were present at the event. They include Ifeyinwa Grace Dicarlo, Nkechi Ihedirimadu, Ijeoma Achi Okidi, Oluchi Nwachukwu (late), Okwuchi Nnochiri, Lewechi Eric Nwadiuto Miriam, Nnenna Precious, Mr Henry Nna Alaukwu, Mr Alfred Nwakanma Alaukwu, Mr Promise Nnochiri Alaukwu and Mr Chukwudi Alaukwu aka (Achuu).
Shortly after the speeches, the guests were asked to treat themselves to a rich buffet of African and intercontinental cuisines
Georgina had special praises for the Orji Kalus for organising the event in her honour. She specially appreciated Kalu and his wife, Ifunanya, who she described her as a classy woman with a golden heart.
She also rallied her Abia North Senatorial constituents gathered at the event to support the re-election bid of Senator Kalu, even as she recounted Kalu’s achievements while in office.
She said: “With Mrs. Ify, she just loves me, she just saw me and our spirits, as they say, agreed. I want to thank God for her. She’s a very dignified woman, very classy. I have a lot of respect for her and she knows it.
“This thing she has done just shows how much high regard she has for the women who are in her husband’s constituency. I am one of them and I encourage all the women in Abia North to also draw close to this amazing woman.
“All of us from Abia North, and I have a good number here, including Uzuakoli People. They say if a road is good, they’ll pass through it twice again. Senator Orji Kalu is a good road and we must pass through it again.
“Our senator is a very easy person to support, and is very marketable. So I don’t have any qualms supporting him because he has done more than any senator who has ever come out of Abia North. We have evidence everywhere to prove it. So our support for him is total. He’s our only leader. He has proved it. I believe we will all work very hard to return him to the Senate because it’s to our benefit and we will do just that.”
She also thanked her family, especially her mother, whom she described as the pillar of her breakthroughs; her husband, Chief Loveday Arisa and also her children – Miracle Adaku, Sinachi Georgina, Chukwuemeka Loveday and Chinasa David as well as other well wishers.
Members of the Mediterranean Recreation Centre (MRC) and staff of her Odu Agu Foundation who engaged Georgina in some energetic dance moves.
Earlier, wife of the Senate Chief Whip, Ifunanya Kalu had presided over the cake cutting ceremony, followed by the clinking of glasses for a toast in honour of Odu Agu’s 60th birthday.
With the group photographs over, the disk jockey took charge of the event, dishing out assorted songs that left the guests thoroughly entertained.
