David Umahi and Francis Nwifuru
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and former Senate President, Anyim Pius were among seventeen notable dignitaries, sons, and daughters of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency who were honoured for their services to the state and the nation.
Others include former Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, the spokesperson of the Department of State Security (DSS), Peter Afunanya, and former PDP governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii
They were honoured on Thursday, January 4, during the Maiden Ohanivo Cultural Carnival of the federal constituency held in Egunkwor central school.
The event was sponsored by the member representing the constituency, Dr. Nkemkanma Kama.
While Nwifuru bagged the Youths Oriented Leadership Award, Umahi was given the Iconic Leadership Award.
Anyim received the Leadership Excellence Award while Onu bagged the Selfless Leadership Award.
Afunanya who hails from the constituency received an award for outstanding performance.
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state in the 2023 general election, Chukwuma Odii, received the Outstanding Humanitarian Award.
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A popular business mogul in the state, Dr. Gideon Osi was given the Illustrious Service Award.
A businesswoman and philanthropist, Rosemary Nwakego Emmanuel was conferred with the Industrious Woman of the Year award. Addressing the people of the federal constituency, Kama who described culture as the lifeblood of any society said the aim of staging the event is to promote peace and unity in the community.
He said: “Culture is said to be the lifeblood of any thriving society, and its best expressed in the way we tell our stories, celebrate, and entertain ourselves. It helps us remember the past and cast our imagination on the future. Our Cultural expressions help define who we are and help the world see us through our own eyes.
“One of my primary focus as your representative is to promote Peace and unity amongst ourselves. The Ohanivo Cultural Carnival which is designed to showcase our rich and diverse Cultural heritage is one of the means of promoting Unity and peaceful coexistence in Ohaozara/Onicha/lvo Federal Constituency and Ebonyi State.
Undoubtedly, no meaningful and measurable growth and progress can be achieved amid crisis, chaos, bickering, and disunity.
“As a people, we’ve come a long way. From 1976 through 1996, we existed as one indivisible Ohaozara Local Government Area (now referred to as Qld Ohaozara).
The 1996 political expansion that split us into Ohaozara, Onicha, and lvo Local Government Areas couldn’t divide us as it brought us into the same Federal Constituency, Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency and we’ve continued to coexist peacefully.
