Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state presenting the award of
‘’ENYI-ABIA’’ to Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe during the celebration of 22nd
Anniversary of the creation of Abia state at the Umuahia Township…
Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu, representing Abia South and Abia Central Senatorial Districts were among the 15 indigenes of Abia conferred with the prestigious Abia Merit Award.
Abaribe was awarded “the Enyi (Elephant) Abia’’, while Nwaogu and Abia-born international handball star, Oluchi Ogwo, got “Ada Ugo Abia’’ (Most respected Abia daughter).
Others included: an industrialist, Mr Nonso Ogbunamiri; former Deputy Speaker of Abia Assembly, Chief Emeka Stanley; Prof. Samuel Igwe, former Vice Chancellor, Abia State University, Uturu.
Chief Agomo Atulomah, a former Speaker of old Imo House of Assembly (1979 to 1983), when the house voted for the creation of Abia and Dr Greg Ibe, Chancellor, Gregory University, Uturu, a privately-owned institution, were honoured with the “Enyi Abia’’.
Ogbunamiri and Stanley were conferred with the “Oke Oji Abia’’ (Big Iroko).
The presentation of the awards was part of the activities marking the 22nd anniversary of the creation of the state.
In his speech at the occasion held at Umuahia Township Stadium, Gov. Theodore Orji, said that the award was in recognition of the active role played by the awardees in the development of the state.
“They have not stood on the sidelines to merely criticise and applaud only themselves. They are men and women that chose success over failure,’’ he said.
Orji said that the awardees stood for excellence and worked with others to achieve the common good.
The governor paid tribute to the founding fathers of the state and eminent indigenes, who he said, “continue to devote their energies to change Abia for good’’.
He described Abia as “a major work in progress’’, and attributed the success recorded so far in the state, to the commitment and determined spirit of Abia citizens in all walks of life.
Orji appealed to the citizenry, especially the youth, to have a reorientation and `drive toward excellence and honest achievement’.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr Anagha Ezeikpe, said that the incumbent administration in the state had made `giant strides’ in the development of infrastructure.
The ceremony, which featured intercessory prayers for the state, began with an Interdenominational Church Service led by the Methodist Archbishop, Rev. Sunday Agwu.
The state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Goddy Okafor, delivered the sermon entitled: “Be ye Thankful’’.
Okafor urged Abia indigenes to thank God for the present administration and the achievements so far recorded in the state.