Anambra Honours 75 Personalities

Seventy-five distinguished personalities, who have contributed to the development of Nigeria and humanity were honoured by the Anambra Government at a summit to mark its 20th anniversary.

Some of the award recipients at the event, held in Awka last Friday, included the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr Alex Ekwueme, the late Dr Nwafor Orizu, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu and Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

Others were Dr Oby Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice-President for African Region, foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Sen. Joy Emordi, Francis Cardinal Arinze and the late Dr Chuba Okadigbo.

During the occasion, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra said the award was to recognise those, who had contributed immensely to the development of the state in different fields of human endeavour.

Obi appealed to those whose names were not on the honours’ list to exercise patience as the recognition would be an annual event during his tenure.

He also urged indigenes of Anambra to shun the celebration of those who had not done anything toward the development of the state but suddenly acquired dubious wealth.

Reacting to the honour, a former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, commended the governor for giving honour to whom it was due.

“I am very happy. I feel elated and very convinced that this will be inspiring to the youths for them to know that if they work hard with sincerity of purpose, they too can be honoured,” Akunyili said.

Dr Chukwuemeka Ezife, a former governor of the state, said “I feel happy seeing a galaxy of stars still living in the state and remembering doyens of persons who have contributed immeasurably to development of Anambra and Nigeria in general.”

The wife of Ojukwu, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, who received the award on behalf of her husband, said it was a great honour for one to be selected from among many other citizens of the state who had contributed to its development.

“My husband would have loved to be here to personally receive the award but because he is far away in England, he could not come,” she added.