By Emmanuel Onwusoro in Ado-Ekiti
It was another memorable day for the President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ekiti State Chapter, High Chief Alex Ndubuisi, when he was honoured and showered with accolades for his leadership prowess since he mounted the saddle of the highest Igbo socio-cultural organization in the state, where he just started serving his second tenure.
Ndubuisi, who is a Knight of Saint John’s International, KSJI, and an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Chuks Moses Okugo, rtd,were among the award recipients at the congress of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ado local government, held at the Igbo hall, Dalimore, Ado-Ekiti.
The recognition no doubt gives credence to what the late American president, John Kennedy (1917-1963) said,” the worst thing that can happen to a leader is to look back and find that there is no one following”. One believes that the leadership style and some achievements recorded by High Chief Ndubuisi placed him in a better stead for the award. On his part, ACP Okugo, rtd, may not have been at pinnacle leadership pedestal of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, but two major roles he played can stand him out of the crowd. One, his appointment as the chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Cultural Day Celebration, Saturday, March 19, 2022 was described as exceptionally successful because of the panache the retired chief cop brought to bear on the whole arrangement.
On other score, ACP Okugo, rtd, spearheaded a Peace Committee that sat on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 and resolved the long standing disagreement between the immediate past President-General,Asiwaju Ndigbo, in Ado-Ekiti, Nathaniel Uzoma, and the incumbent President-General, High Chief Alex Ndubuisi. And who says by the grace of God through the trouble-shooting initiative of Okugo, lasting peace has not returned to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ekiti State!
The outgoing President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ado local government, Chief James Onuoha who conferred the awards said High Chief Ndubuisi’s exemplary leadership in Ohanaeze affairs informed his recognition. Adding that it was equally such outstanding leadership qualities that catapulted him to a higher level in socio-cultural body in the state.
Responding, the President-General, High Chief Alex Ndubuisi, appreciated the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ado local government for deeming him eligible for the honour bestowed on him for a body he presided over its affairs for fruitful eight years, before being voted in since 2018 take charge of the mantle of leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ekiti State, where he is serving his first tenure.
He pledged his unalloyed commitment to the service of the Igbo nation,pointing out that he will use his second coming on board to impact more positively on the affairs of Ohanaeze and reposition it for a prosperous future.
On ACP Okugo,rtd, Chief Onuoha attributed his award to his contributions to the wellbeing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He reiterated that such recognition is important as it will ginger him to do more, and worthy of emulation by those who also want to contribute to the development of the socio-cultural body.
In their separate, but what looked like unanimous reactions, High Chief Ndubuisi and ACP Okugo, rtd, thanked the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ado local government leadership for finding them worthy among the galaxy of award recipients. They assured the leadership that they will sustain the virtues that informed their being considered for such prestigious awards. The duo reiterated their readiness to continue to contribute to what will put Ohanaeze on an enviable pedestal among the comity of socio-cultural organizations in the country.