Victor Ezeja
Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi has felicitated with the Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, as he clocked 89 Tuesday.
In a Congratulatory Message from his Media Office signed by Barr Valentine Obienyem, Obi described Anyaoku as an exemplary ambassador of Nigeria and Anambra State on the global stage, stating that Anyaoku has continued to contribute to the peace and development of Nigeria, and indeed Anambra, his home State.
Obi explained that while he lived in the United Kingdom in the 90s, he always felt proud, as an Igbo man, about Anyaoku’s contributions to the Commonwealth of Nations.
Reminiscing over those years, he said: “I recall that it was in 1997, during Chief Emeka Anyaoku’s tenure as Secretary-General, at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Conference, that the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), of which I was an early member, was formed.
“As a body saddled with the responsibility of enhancing trade and mobilising investments among member nations of the Commonwealth, CBC played an active role in the economic development of member nations. Being an early member of the Council afforded me the opportunity of participating in CBC conferences in Malaysia, Mauritius, India, Australia, Malta, South Africa etc.” Obi also recalled that he has equally been opportuned to speak at different Commonwealth events, especially those held in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Continuing, Obi expressed his pleasure over his association with Chief Anyaoku over the years, saying, “In 2013, as the then Governor of Anambra State, I recall being a Special Guest at his 80th birthday hosted by the then Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, at the Commonwealth Headquarters. Also, as the then Chairman of South-East Governors Forum, I co-hosted the 80th birthday celebration of Chief Emeka Anyaoku at Obosi, which had in attendance all the then South-East Governors, Former Governor of Lagos State (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) and many other dignitaries from across the country and beyond.”
In conclusion, Obi said, “I am therefore honoured to associate with and celebrate a man whose greatness has rubbed off on us all, both individually and collectively as a nation. It is my earnest prayer that God will grant him good health of mind and body, now and always.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
Follow Us