A plethora of honours and awards were bestowed on the pioneers and illustrious sons and daughters of Ezeagu Local Government Area at an Awards Night held in Enugu to recognise and honour them for their pioneering efforts in academics, professionalism and trade.
The conveners, members of the Ezeagu Union (EU), comprising of intellectuals and professionals in various fields, showered encomiums and recognition on the pioneers in various fields of human endeavour including medicine, law, academics, security and other professions.
The occasion started at Aguobu-Owa, headquarters of Ezeagu Local Government, with a Holy Mass concelebrated by the Vice-Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Very Rev. Fr. (Prof.) Christian Anieke, and the Dean, Aguobu-Owa Deanery, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Rev. Fr. Victor Ogbogu Ubaka.
After the Holy Mass, EU promoters unveiled the Union’s Blueprint, a compedium, for the overall development of the Local Government.
The blueprint, segmented into nine sections called directorates comprises of: Illumination, Culture and Tourism, Gender and Vulnerable Affairs, Education, Health, Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Good Governance and Empowerment, as well as Youth and Sports.
The compendium comprehensively articulated various developmental challenges confronting Ezeagu Local Government Area and proferred the way forward for accelerated development across the towns and communities.
The Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government, Hon. Chukwudi Ozoeluba, represented by the Secretary of the Council, was the chief host at the occasion and promised the liaise with the EU in implementing the developmental programmes outlined by his administration.
The following day, at an Award Night held in Enugu, and chaired by the globally acclaimed law teacher and university administrator, Prof. Christian Nwachukwu Okeke, severql indigenes of the LGA, both living and dead, who excelled in their various callings in life, were bestowed with honours and awards.
Prof. Anieke, who was the Keynote Speaker at the occasion, highlighted some unique peculiarities or characteristics of Ezeagu people.
According to him, Ezeagu is the only LGA made up of people who are virtually homogeneous in character, stressing that majority of the people trace their origin to one great ancestor called Ezeagu Igbudu.
For instance, he stated, every Ezeagu male folk, no matter his status or calling in life, identifies and calls each other “Monwu Shinne” (Big Spirit), and generally enjoy a peculiar soup ingredient, called “Mpoto” (prepared from dried cocoyam leaves) across the LGA.
Prof. Anieke counselled that these peculiarities should be a propeller for development as they could be easily harnessed and nurtured in the interest of the people of the area.
He commended members of Ezeagu Union for coming up with the initiative of evolving the blueprint, and called on all patriotic sons and daughters of the area, both at home and in the diaspora, to support the activities of Ezeagu Union.
The leader of the group, Ozo Arc. Denis Onyebuchi, explained that Ezeagu Union is a non-political voluntary association of Ezeagu men and women who are determined to give the local government a facelift.
Among those who received honours award during the occasion were the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, His Lordship, Bishop Ernest Obodo, the Director of Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike, Prof. Anieke, Prof. Nwachukwu Okeke, Chief Anthony Mogboh (SAN), Hon. FSA Uzor, Igwe Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, first Nigerian Medical Doctor to attain the rank of AIG in the Police, Dr. Anthony Okafor, as well as football legend with the defunct Enugu Black Rocks, Francis Adidas Ibe.
Those honoured posthumously were the first Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Eze Ozobu, first female Judge in the old Anambra State, Justice Monica Edozie, former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Dennis Edozie, First Republic Senator, Igwe P.C. Ndu, former Commander of Biafran Airforce, Group Captain Godwin Ezeilo, Prod. Chiweyite Ejike, first priest from the LGA, Rev. Fr. Prof. Osmund Anigbo, among others.
Present at the occasion included Member, representing Ezeagu/Udi in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha; Member, representing Ezeagu in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chima Obieze; Chairman, Ezeagu Local Government, Hon. Chukwudi Ozoeluba as well as His Royal Highness, Igwe Joseph Ndu, among several other dignitaries.
