The Government of Anambra State has congratulated Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, on his 80th birthday anniversary.

Its greetings were contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, and issued on Saturday.

The statement described the Obi as a monarch who has been discharging his traditional duties with aplomb.

While also describing him as an outstanding elder statesman and selfless monarch, it said that Nigeria has benefitted from his rich experience as a director of the Royal Dutch Shell company and International Breweries Nigeria Ltd, in addition to his being Pro-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University at Zaria in Kaduna State, after serving as Pro-Chancellor of the Kogi State University.

The statement noted that the monarch takes every assignment seriously, leading from the front and displaying remarkable personal example.

It also commended the monarch for the huge role he played in the prevention and containment of the highly infectious COVID-19 disease in Onitsha, the Anambra State’s commercial centre.

The State Government prayed to God to grant the Obi of Onitsha long life and longer reign on the throne.

The statement reads in part: “Igwe Achebe has brought to bear on his duties his very rich experience as an alumnus of Sanford University, California, and Columbia University, New York, as well as the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State. Nigeria has benefitted from his rich experience as a director of the Royal Dutch Shell company and International Breweries Nigeria Ltd, in addition to his being Pro-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University at Zaria in Kaduna State, after serving as Pro-Chancellor of the Kogi State University. He has also been chairman of Unilever plc and the defunct Diamond Bank plc.

“Igwe Achebe takes every assignment seriously, leading from the front and displaying remarkable personal example. For example, he has attended every meeting of the Anambra State Action Committee on COVID-19 headed by Governor Willie Obiano since its inauguration early last year. He has at every meeting made a profound contribution. He has played a huge role in the prevention and containment of the highly infectious disease in Onitsha, the Anambra State’s commercial centre. COVID-19 protocols have been observed in Onitsha among the indigenes perhaps better than any other town in the state. In consideration of the current state of the country and the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, Igwe Achebe is not celebrating the attainment of a milestone in his sojourn on earth with pomp and pageantry. The rather stoic marking of the 80th birthday is a lesson to all.

“The Government and people of Anambra State salute Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, a proud son of Anambra State and our worthy ambassador. Governor Obiano has already spoken to him to wish him many more years of good health, wisdom and excellent service to God and society,” the statement said.

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