It was a gathering of the crème-de-la-crème in the Southeast geo-political zone of the country last Sunday when Aka Ikenga, the Igbo Think Tank, recognised sons and daughters of Igboland who have performed outstandingly in their chosen professions.

The event, which was part of the group’s yearly Christmas party, brought together high profile Igbos from all walks of life in Ikoyi, Lagos, under a convivial and relaxing atmosphere. In the gathering were chieftains of political parties, top bankers, Nollywood icons, business moguls, traditional rulers, among others.

These included former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige; Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe; Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. (Mrs) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu;  Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Dr. Stella Okoli; Publisher of ThisDay Newspaper, Nduka Obaigbena; former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke (retd); Chief Executive Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo; the traditional ruler of Ojoto community in Anambra State, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, among other dignitaries.

In his welcome address, the President of Aka Ikenga, Dr. Chike Madueke, explained that the group instituted the award in recognition of outstanding leadership, achievements, courage and enterprise, which are the core values and ethos of Igbo people.
Madueke noted that the organisation believes that the award would spur the recipients to greater achievements and excellence in their chosen fields.

“The Aka Ikenga Award is given through our hands purely in recognition of outstanding leadership, achievements, courage and enterprise in keeping with the core values and ethos of our people. This award is non-pecuniary and shall remain non-pecuniary as long as it is given through our hands.”

Among the awardees were the Managing Director of Afrinvest West Africa Ltd, Dr. Ike Chioke; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Peace Nigeria, Dr. Allen Onyema; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi; Chairman, Innoson Group of Companies, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma; Chairman, Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh; Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr. Chidi Anyaegbu, Senator Mike Ajegbo, Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe, Mrs. Okoli, Obaigbena, Ngige and Okonkwo.

Two past presidents of Aka Ikenga, Ralph Eke and Oscar Onwudiwe, both deceased, were also posthumously honoured.