Cash and Carry award as ASATU honours 36 persons ---as industrialist tasks Ndi-Anambra to Return And Invest At Home

www.odogwublog.com got information that a cash and carry award was organized yesterday allegedly by Anambra State Association of Town Union (ASATU) led by National President of ASATU, Dr. Jude Okolo.

ASATU used the event to raise fund for building of a N250million Cultural Centre. They have been raising funds at awards but could not have their own secretariat until government gave them one like the traditional rulers.

They used the opportunity to give award to 36 distinguished Nigerians of Anambra State extractions and 8 post-humous awards.

Among them were Prof. Pita Ejifor, promotion of Igbo language and culture; John Mikel Obi, Football; Engr. Sir Emeka Okwuosa, Excellence in Agriculture Sector Development; Chief Anthony Enukeme, Entrepreneurship; Prince Arthur Engr. Arthur Eze, Philanthropy; Chief Godwin Ezeemo, Philanthropy; Chief Cletus Ibeto, Industry; Dr. ABC Orjiakor, Oil and Gas; Dr. Ifeanyi Patrick Uba, Oil and Gas; Chief Sir Emma Bishop Okonkwo, Commerce.

Others are Chief G.U. Okeke, Transport; Sir Emeka Offor, Power Services; Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Legal Practice; Dr. Christopher Ikechi Eze, Corporate Governance; Chief Mrs. Stella Okoli, Corporate Governance; Engr. Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Telecommunication; Chief Pete Edochie (MON), Nollywood; Chimamanda Adichie, Literature; Chinedu Okoli (Flavour), Entertainment (Music); Prof. Manny Aniebonam, IT; Chief Emeka Anyaoku, International Diplomacy; Chief Francis Nwakamma, Community Service; Chief Sir Victor Umeh, Community Leadership; Dr. Tim Menakaya, Community Development; HRM Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, Literature.

Chief Leonard Okoye, Construction; Chief Dr. Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, Construction; Chief Engr. Fidelis Osita Nweke, Construction; Chief Sir Ben Emeka, Construction; Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Constitutional Law; Chief Sir Tony Okechukwu, Community Leadership; Chief Cosmas Anigbogu, Construction; HRM Igwe Roland Odegbo, Community Leadership; Dr. Lawrence Ojemeni, Construction.

 While Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Patriotism; Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nationalism; Dr. Pius Okigbo, Economics; Prof. Chinua Achebe, Literature; Prof. Dora Akunyili, Vocation; Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Legislative Excellence; Chief Osita Osadebe, Music; Chief Chimezie Ikeazor, Founding President-ASATU received post-humous awards.

Speaking the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rojenny Tourist Village Oba, Anmabra State, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, (Ogilish Igbo) has called on the Igbo sons and daughters to invest at home.

Chief Onwuka called lamented that Igbo people, especially Anambrarians have developed so many places in the world while their own lie undeveloped.

 Ezeonwuka called them to speak in one voice, return home and invest their resources for the development of the zone. He thanked the ASATU for their active roles they have been playing in the state, especially for how they helped in the burial of Igbos who died at various wars.

Speaking after receiving her husband’s post-humour award, the wife of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Uche Azikiwe expressed gratitude to the ASATU on the recognition of her late husband, though, according to her, Zik was a nationalist who fight for the development of the Igbo land.

On his part, Chief Pete Edochie, who received award, enjoined Igbos to respect their culture, attire and tradition, stressing that if care not taken, that would spell dooms on the tribe.  

Speaking in an interview, Chief Ben Emeka, called on governor Willie Obiano to be prepared for the flood stressing that best ways of curbing them is to be proactive, do all the preliminary arrangement before hand and prepare for refugee camp for the internally displaced person so as to avoid the repetition of brigade approach of  2012 flood menace. He described the award bestowed on him as a call to duty, according to him, to whom much is given, much is expected.