The pillars of our heritage awards went to the late Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu and his son, the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the late Chinua Achebe, Blessed Iwene Tansi, Francis Cardinal Arinze, Olauda Equino. In the light bearers category were: former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Senate Presidents of Nigeria, Dr Nwafor Orizu, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, Louis Mbanefo (Attorney General of Eastern region) Jude Okolo (Papal Nuncio) and Archbishop of Onitsha Valerian Okeke.
The Anambra State government honoured personalities that had helped in shaping the history of the state. Presenting the awards to recipients, the Governor Willie Obiano said the awards were in 11 categories,namely: pillars of our heritage, light bearers, lifetime achievement, philanthropists extraordinaire and business titans, ambassadors of excellence and outstanding public service. Others were lifetime achievement, ICONS of Education, ICONS of tradition and service to humanity and evergreen (posthumous award).
Former military President of Nigeria, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida was rewarded in the lifetime category of the ward for creating the state in 1991. Others who benefitted in this category were the late Dr Ukpabi Asika (former Governor of Eastern region), Commodore Joseph Abulu (first military administrator of the state, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife (first civilian governor of the state). Others under this category were former military and civilian governors of the state, Mike Attah, Garba,Rufai and Emmanuel Ukaegbu, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Senator Chris Ngige, Dame Virgy Etiaba and Mr Peter Obi. Others who were honoured on the occasion were former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Agunwa Anaekwe, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Chief Innocent Chukwuma (INNOSON Motors) among others.
Speaking, Obiano said the award ceremony was part of the celebrations lined up to mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state that started August, this year. He said, “I’m very lucky to be the jubilee governor”.
Source; Dailytimes
