People from all walks of life recently, converged on Obi Ndionowu Anambra State at Amawbia, to observe the first annual memorial lecture series in honour of the late founder of Tonimas Nigeria Limited, Dr Anthony Enukeme who was also the founder and pioneer president of Anambra State council of traditional Prime Ministers, Ndionowu.

 

 

 

The programme which was also used to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the Ndionowu as a council, attracted traditional rulers, traditional prime ministers of various communities across Anambra State, political appointees, friends and well-wishers.

 

 

 

Queen Anigbogu reports that

 

in his remarks, Governor Chukwuma Soludo described the position of Onowu as significant to the traditions and customs of Anambra State.

 

 

 

Governor Soludo represented by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, noted that Onowu stands for seriousness, intuition and wisdom, adding that what they are doing is highly recognized in Anambra and commended them for the initiative.

In an interview, the Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Mr Don Onyenji, said that the programme by Ndionowu is worthwhile and gave credit to late Chief Enukeme who he said, was the father of the initiative.

 

He explained that the meetings of Ndionowu will bring peace and understanding in communities in Anambra and told them to set standards as well as support norms and values for which Ndigbo are known for.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the acting president of Anambra State council of traditional Prime Ministers, Chief Patrick Oyediuba who spoke through the secretary of the association, Chief Josephat Nwegwu, extolled the giant strides of the late Dr Enukeme to the growth of the association and called on the government of Anambra State to Immortalize the legacies of their late founder in view of his contributions to the State in particular and Nigeria in general.

 

Presenting a paper titled, “The Man”, Dr Anthony Enukeme, a former Rector of Saint John Vocational Institute Neni, Reverend Father Francis Enyesiobi, who cited the various achievements of late Enukeme, stressed the need for government to immortalize the late industrialist even as he called on affluent members of the public to channel their resources for the betterment of the society.

Also speaking, the Chairman Planning Committee of the event, Chief Nnaemeka Mmaduka, the regent of Amawbia town, pointed out that the objective of the event is to promote the ideals of their founder, late Enukeme who believed that the traditional system in Anambra State should be defined so that people will know that Igbos have kings and those who are supporting the kings.

 

For Rotarian Abuchi Nwozor, the late business mogul was his mentor and benefactor whom he still finds it difficult to describe in the past tense and noted that if Anambra State has up to three of his kind, the state will be greater.

 

Awards were presented to several notable Ndi Anambra like former Governor Willie Obiano and his wife Ebelechukwu, Chief Mrs Florah Ilonzo, Chief Oliver Umeh among others.