People of Item ancient kingdom in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State will, today, celebrate and honour one of their most Illustrious sons, Sunday Onuoha, who marks his 60th birthday.

In an elaborate ceremony holding in Okai Item, there will be a Holy Communion Service to be conducted by the Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Oliver Ali Aba, at the Methodist Church.

Thereafter, there will be a grand reception at the Okai Item Primary School.

Dignitaries expected at the event include former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, who is chief guest of honour; Governors of Abia State, Alex Otti and Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III.

Others are senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; former governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi and former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, will deliver a keynote at the event.

Onuoha is one of Nigeria’s revered Christian leaders who aside his primary ministerial calling, also relishes in other services to humanity and to his community. He is reputed to be one of Item’s most outstanding and accomplished community leaders of the modern era.

He was former president general of Item Development Association (IDA), the apex socio-cultural/community development association of Item people worldwide, for 11 years, from 2007 to 2018.

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During his leadership, he orchestrated development and progress in various spheres in the community.

A few months into his tenure as IDA president general, he successfully launched the annual Item Day Celebration, the flagship socio-cultural event of the people and the platform through which he etched the name of Item on the Nigerian national map.

He leveraged on his top level social and political contacts to get many eminent Nigerian citizens to attend successive Item Day events and to support the community’s drive for development. These personalities included then serving governors of states, former president, then serving very top public officers and some of Nigeria’s most renowned captains of Industry.

A respected clergy, consummate community leader, former presidential adviser under the Obasanjo presidency, global peace ambassador, Onuoha has passionately served and positively impacted humanity generally while also engendering development across facets in his Item homestead in particular.

Today’s event, which has as conveners, Item Okpi royal fathers, under the aegis of Item Traditional Royal Council, is in recognition of Onuoha’s selfless service to the community.

Felicitating with him on his 60th birthday and the honour by the community, President General of Item Development Association, Onwuka Orji, described him as a source of inspiration to Item people.

“May greater honours come your way in the days ahead. May you not relent in the pursuit of your avowed great leadership ideals and being a source of inspiration to both present and future generations of Item Okpi leaders. The people of Item Okpi deeply appreciate your uncommon leadership strides and hereby urge you never to rest on your oars.”