By Onwukwe Ezeru, Abia
Ibeku Egwu Asaa Development Association has honoured its sons and daughters who distinguished themselves variously in the society.
Those who received the Great Patriot award on Easter Sunday include the late Major Gen. J.T.U Aguiyi Ironsi and his wife, Lady Victoria; Prof. Joshua Chingoziri Ogbonnaya, OON; Abia Deputy Governor, Ude Okochukwu.
Distinguished Patriot award was given to Chief Mercy Odochi Orji, the wife of Senator Theodore Orji; Grace Nkem Uche, Chidiebere Nwoke, Royal High Chief James Uche Akwukwuegbu.
The group of Special Patriot award include Chief Dan N. Egbeogu, Chief Isaac Iroegbu, Chief Nath Emenike; while Patriotic Ambassador award was conferred on Dr. Gabriel C. Okenwa, MON and Dr. MacJohn O. Nwaobiala among others.
Before the presentation of the award at Isieke Civic Centre hall, the President General of Ibeku Egwu Asaa Development Association, Chief Onwunaruwa Onuoha, said that the presentation of the award to patriotic sons and daughters of Ibeku was because of their patriotism and contributions to the development of Ibeku land.
According to him, the 32 sons and draughts of Ibeku honoured had distinguished themselves as role models and expressed hope that they continue to show concern in the upliftment of Ibeku and its people.
In his remarks, the traditional prime minister of Ibeku, an awardee and Chairman of the occasion, Royal High Chief James Uche Akwukwuegbu, commended Ibeku Development Union for organising the award to sons and daughters of Ibeku, who had contributed to the development of the ancient kingdom. He urged other rich Ibeku people to show love to people and town instead of bickering and witch-hunting each other, noting that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancor and disunity.
In their separate responses, some of the awardees, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Abia State, Chief Dan Egbeogu, Hon. Chidiebere Nwoke, Dr. Gabriel Okenwa and Hon. Grace Nkem Uche thanked Ibeku Egwu Asaa Development Association for honouring them. According to Egbeogu, the award would spur him to do more positive things in Ibeku kingdom.