~ as Monarch honours Umenzekwe, 17 others
Our Reporter
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, has appealed to Igbo youths to stop the incessant killings and kidnappings and embrace peace
He spoke in Achina, Aguata local government area of the state as the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Nnaemeka Obiora, honoured President Bola Tinubu’s ally Chief Modestus Umenzekwe with a chieftaincy title among 17 others
It was during the 4th Ofala festival of the town and the 14th year anniversary of the monarch on the throne, while the former Aviation Minister was the chairman of the occasion
One of the Southeast leaders of the All Progressives Congress APC and Tinubu’s man, Chief Umenzekwe, was bestowed with the traditional title of (Enyimba- the people’s elephant)
The event attracted many prominent Anambrarians and Nigerians including the former Governor of the state and 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi.
Chidoka decried the quantum of killings and kidnappings in the Igbo ,with the largest chunk in Anambra on daily basis, adding that Igbo are not known for such but their entrepreneurial ability in turning bad into good.
“Culture is not static but dynamic as we learn from other cultures and will continue to be civilised. Igbo have a rich cultural heritage, glorious past and rich future as true democrats.
” We believe in freedom, not on holding people hostage. I want to urge you to sustain the tempo. This will bring a lasting solution, and development.
The insecurity in Southeast has become worrisome. The Igbo were not known for killings but as industrious, peaceful, accommodating and lovely.
“Tell your brothers and sisters that we are hardworking people. We are not known for killings and kidnapping. There is no home of community in Igbo land you will come today and they will show a successful retired kidnapper, killer or criminal.
” We make money through hardworking. But you can see the house or someone who retired as a successful business man or civil servant.
“Let us renew our commitment in building a successful society where love, peace and unity will rule forever by joining hands in fighting insecurity.
“That is the only way Igbo land will be save for us. You remember that when someone is pursued at the foreign land, he will return to his home country. If we don’t fight kidnapping, killings and other Criminalities, where would will run to as homes when we are pursued abroad?”
The monarch, commended the Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, for bringing development to Achina community through massive road infrastructure and checkmating the erosion menace
Also, KC Ezeanyika, a lawyer and traditional Prime Minister of the kingdom, said those honoured had done Achina and the society proud, the reason, they were carefully selected
Some other prominent chieftaincy title awardees included, Chief Emeka Dimude, Chief Sebastian Ezechukwu, Chief Kenechukwu Obieli, Engr. Cletus Ezenwa and Cyril Okpala
Good Will messages to Umenzekwe, came from Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe,(Rtd), Babatunde Fashola,SAN, former Governor of Lagos state, Sen. Chris Ngige, former Minister of Labour and Employment, former Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, Sen Lawal Shuaibu, Justice O.O. Fadipe, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, Nigeria’s former Diplomat, Catholic Pontiff, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, among many others
