Peter Obi Shines Again ; Received Outstanding Two Awards In A Day

Former Governor Peter Obi on Sunday got two awards that are outstanding not only in Nigeria but Internationally.

www.odogwublog.com reports that the awards came from the reputable International Society for Civil Liberties and the rule of law (Intersociety), a rights group that champions the rights of people in Nigeria, Africa and beyond and the Catholic members all over the world led by the Pope.

 Intersociety gave reasons for bestowing an award for outstanding performance on former Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi as the Chairman Board of Trustees of the organization, Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi said it was as a mark of their respect for him for his selfless service and humility while in office in Anambra state.

Speaking during the 66^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) organization, held in Onitsha yesterday Umeagbalasi said the organization is not an award-giving group, but considering the impact Obi made in Anambra during his eight years as governor which saw him administering the state without borrowing a dime or even raising bond, the group has no option than to encourage him.

He said, “Obi’s records and achievements in office as the democratically elected governor of Anambra state for eight years are numerous. He mentioned judicial victories and massive provision of infrastructure and social development.

“The areas that are most appealing to us, which necessitates this award are; positive resources mobilization, fiscal prudence or lean public governance cost and credit governance legacy or leaving the state in a state of fiscal credit and near zero indebtedness.”

He continued that from the independent findings of the rights group and eight others that partnered it for the programme, the Obi administration liquidated public workforce pay and  pensioners arrears as well as gratuities of retiring and retired workers and others to the tune of N35billion.

Umeagbalasi said it would be the first time the group is handing out awards, but it went out of its way to do so to Obi, and to the member representing Ogbaru federal constituency in the lower chambers, Hon Afam Ogene who also bagged award of outstanding legislator because of their outstanding performance in carrying out their duties.

He said Ogene won the award for the presentation of a private member bill before the house seeking to repeal the obnoxious and discriminatory decree establishing the Nigerian Traffic Warden Service. He said the decree had placed the management of the traffic and its personnel in the hands of the police.

Reacting after receiving the award, former Governor Peter Obi thanked the group for the gesture reiterating that awards received by public servants while still in office can never really be adjudged as justified.

He said several institutions had written him during his administration in Anambra seeking to bestow him with one award or the other, but he had always rejected, asking them to wait until he served out his term before they can consider him if they think he is still with it.

He thanked the group for keeping faith in him and honouring him even though he is not in power any longer. He called on the group to regulate the manner they issue out the award to others if it will retain its glory.

Obi equally received Papal Knighthood of St. Sylvester  from the Catholic Church world wide as a gesture of appreciation of the good work they did in the state during Obi’s eight-year tenure.

That was the explanation of the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Revd Dr. Pau­linus Ezeokafor while giving reasons the church honoured Obi.

 He has ex­plained that former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and Commissioner for Works in the administration, Callis­tus Ilozumba were honoured for their selfless service for the society.

The bishop stated this during Obi’s investiture at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka yesterday.

The bishop said God was willing to use people as His in­strument provided they cooper­ated with Him as Virgin Mary did.

Citing Obi as one in the position of power that allowed himself to be used by God for the good of the society, Okeke said before the former gover­nor’s tenure, Anambra State was like an abandoned place.

As a governor, the cleric said Obi was exemplary in many ways, including staying at the back when he came late to Church, not using siren and not travelling with many aides.

The bishop said Obi’s ex­ample was proof of the fact that the relationship between the church and the state should be one of mutual benefit and not antagonism, commending the former governor’s pru­dence and sense of propriety, saying the qualities would help anybody desirous of success in government.

 Details later