Sunday, 4 November 2012

Obi, Anambra flood victims mark Ojukwu’s 79th birthday

BY VINCENT UJUMADU
AWKA- THE late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu literary resurrected in Anambra State Sunday following his 79th birthday that was posthumously celebrated in the state at the instance of Governor Peter Obi. Ojukwu died last year in a London hospital,  after battling with attack of stroke.
Obi had at the weekend, appealed to all the churches in Anambra to pray for the repose of the soul of the defunct Biafran warlord, which was caried out in most of the churches Sunday.
As part of Ojukwu’s birthday celebration, the governor, accompanied by his aides, visited flood displaced persons in their camps at  Umueje, Umueri,  Agulueri and Onitsha. The visit would also continue today to cover the 23 camps in the state.
Thes events in honour of Ojukwu, who was the leader of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, were characterized by prayers by the clergy, cutting of cakes and cash donation at the camps to enable the displaced persons meet their daily needs.
According to Obi, the idea to celebrate the birthdays at the  camps was in line with the life of the late Ikemba Nnewi who, the governor said, would have been reminding him to take care of the people affected by the flood everyday were he to be still alive.
Gov. Peter Obi, flanked by many while cutting the cake at Umueri flood displaced persons camp to mark Ojukwu’s 79th birthday on Sunday November 4th 2012

“Ojukwu was passionate about Ndigbo that if he were alive, he would be reminding me daily on the need to take care of the people affected by the flood,” Obi said.
Obi took opportunity of the visits to remind the displaced that Anambra State government would continue to care for them in their time of grief, assuring that the government, adding that the state government has begun needs assessment that would guide it on various areas of assistance to them, especially in the areas of rehabilitation and aid to enable them get back to their various trades.
In his remarks, a chieftain of APGA and former minister of health, Dr. Tim Menakaya commended the governor for remembering the late Eze Igbo, adding that though Ojukwu had already etched himself in people’s memories, nothing done in his memory would be enough.

 
Design by Samizares Online Gist