Why I honoured Imo gov with traditional title, by Abia monarch

Traditional ruler of Aba in Abia State, HRM Isaac Ikonne (Enyi I of Aba), has explained why he honoured Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, with a chieftaincy title of Onye Ndu Ndigbo (Igbo leader).

A statement issued, yesterday, by Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, revealed that Ikonne honoured the governor at a ceremony in Aba to mark his 93rd birthday.

The monarch said the honour bestowed on Uzodimma was inevitable, because of his visionary leadership and commitment to reposition the Igbo people in the socio-political and economic equation of Nigeria.

He pointed out that Uzodimma, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Placid Njoku, has earned himself a place in the heart of future generations of Ndigbo who would be the ultimate beneficiary of his sacrifice.

“While some people may not see or appreciate the enormity of work undertaken by the governor on behalf of the Igbo, the guardians of the Igbo consciousness and strategic thinkers in Igboland know that in the reality of the Nigerian situation and global disposition, the best option for Ndigbo at the moment is to build bridges and harness every possible political avenue to raise Ndigbo in the Nigerian project,” Ikonne stated.

Receiving the plaque on behalf of the governor, Njoku said he was at the palace at the instance of Uzodimma, who he said, would have loved to attend the ceremony in person, but was held back by pressing state matters.

He thanked the monarch and Abia people for the special honour done to Uzodimma and noted that it is the resolve of his boss to work to change the narrative of the Igbo man in Nigeria.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the event.