The Nigerian Community in the United States will on July 12, 2014 honour/roast Dr Iheanacho Ikedinobi Orabuchi, fondly called Dr Acho, an American certificated teacher and DAILY SUN columnist, in a magnificent way has chosen to roast/honour impeccable Dr. Acho Orabuchi in a magnificent way on July 12, 2014.

The community, under the auspices of various organisations, including The Association of Nigerian-American Professionals Inc. (ANAP, Inc.), has chosen to roast, as is traditional in the United States and honour “impeccable Dr Acho Orabuchi for his immense and transformational service, accomplishments, as well as his humanitarian and patriotic activities in the United States.” Sir Iyke Ginigeme disclosed this in a press statement made available to News Express.

According to him, Dr. Acho Orabuchi is truly a dedicated and committed individual, who builds and provides support for his immediate and larger community and has unselfishly served Nigerians in the United States in various roles, thus extolling Nigeria as a whole, especially when others shy away from identifying with their home country.

His words: “Dr. Orabuchi’s service to the Nigerian community could not be narrated in just one press release, because he has served his home country above and beyond every other Nigerian in this country. Not only that he serves us with grace, but he is the most detribalised individual, who sees good in every person, including his detractors, and has been recognised by various Nigerian communities in the United States, including the All Niger Delta Peoples Congress. Thus, so many people of all tribes are coming to honour him from across the United States.”

Ginigeme, the Roasting Committee Chair, described Orabuchi as a modest and unassuming strategic thinker who has consistently used his skills and means to enhance humanity and be a light that shines on the downtrodden, adding: “Knowing the value of education and the multiplier effect of investment in education, Dr. Acho Orabuchi gave a scholarship to one of his town’s boys to study in a Nigerian university. The scholarship which was administered by the Ogberuru Development Association USA (ODA-USA, Inc.) was in memory of his late dad, Engr. Michael Ikedinobi Orabuchi, who ensured that he received adequate and quality education.”

Sir Iyke who doubles as interim publicity secretary of Association of Nigerian-America Professionals, eulogised the honouree as: “Pragmatic, bold and honest, who is a strong advocate for justice and fairness, Acho Orabuchi, in his no-nonsense and fearless attitude, has relentlessly defended, projected, and protected the image of his home country, Nigeria. When Senator Ted Cruz mocked Nigerians regarding the 419 activities of a very few, Dr. Acho Orabuchi was among very few Nigerians who called on Senator Cruz to apologise to Nigerians. When Mr. Landers attempted to categorise all Nigerians as fraudsters, Dr. Acho Orabuchi was the only person that rebutted Mr. Landers’ unfair generalisation of Nigerians in the Dallas metropolitan area. He did not condone the illegal activities of some Nigerians, but stated that most Nigerians excel in various professions. Dr. Acho Orabuchi ensures that Nigeria is represented during international festivals at his school, using the opportunities to educate colleagues and students about the rich history and culture of Nigeria. He proudly educates Americans about the culture of Nigeria and clarifies any negative news about Nigeria. Dr. Orabuchi has used every opportunity to advance the image of Nigeria as a good ambassador will always do.”

He added: “Dr. Acho Orabuchi is his brother’s keeper; he has helped numerous Nigerians secure professional jobs, served as mentor to some of them to transit from their previous jobs into more professional ones by equipping them with the organisational culture and lingo peculiar to the profession. In other words, he also advises and encourages Nigerians on how to transit into a new profession. He makes available professional job openings to the Nigerian community. Dr. Orabuchi has advised numerous Nigerians on changing careers in the face of the changing economy of the United States.”

In his appreciation of the honouree, Prince Charles O. Sado, former chapter secretary of PDP-USA Chapter, said : “For me, this roasting of Dr. Acho Orabuchi is long overdue, yet still appropriate. I have known the man for more than a decade. During that time, I have never met a man who is more gentle, collegial and empathetic, yet very strong in his convictions. Dr. Orabuchi believes that every person deserves a chance no matter our differences or personal leanings. His generosity of spirit attests to his constant search for common ground. Call him at anytime, you come away with the same feeling about a man so unassuming even when he holds the aces. Nigeria is blessed to have this man and I dare say that the world is better with Dr Orabuchi around. The man is my friend and I make no apologies for that fact!”

An advocate of effective and efficient communication, Acho is noted to have provided communication architecture in the 90s for Nigerians for easy communication, as a man who does not forget his roots. “Dr. Acho Orabuchi was among the professionals invited to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan in New York on September 22, 2013. At the end the event, he issued a statement which was carried in several Nigerian newspapers.”

As a worthy ambassador, he is also reputed to have has made Nigerians proud by excelling and achieving the highest credential in his teaching profession. He is now an accomplished educator, who worked for the same employer for 25 of his 26 years teaching career.

Ginigeme further submitted: “It is pertinent to emphasise that Acho Orabuchi has utilised every opportunity to protect, defend and burnish the image of Nigeria through reactions in the Nigerian media, consistent writings in his column, ‘Views from America’ in The Sun, and personal examples. He was among five educators in the Dallas Independent School District, who received the National Board Certification. The National Board certification is the highest professional credential in the field of teaching. It is a voluntary process established by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The certification process involves a rigorous performance-based assessment that takes nearly a year to complete. Through the assessment process, teachers document their subject matter knowledge; provide evidence that they know how to teach their subjects to students most effectively; and demonstrate an ability to manage and measure student learning.”

Dr. Orabuchi will be first to admit that he is not a perfect man. He commits his loyalty to individuals he thinks he trusts to a fault. Acho finds it difficult to abandon friends. His word is always his bond. Dr. Orabuchi is such a resilient person who does not quit. He stays the course until there is a logical conclusion, Ginigeme observed, noting: “Well, since Dr. Orabuchi has a great sense of humor and also self-deprecating, he is definitely ready to have many people poke fun of him as the guest of honour.

“A roast is an event, almost exclusively in the United States, in which an individual is subjected to a public presentation of comedic insults, praise, outlandish true and untrue stories, and heartwarming tributes. The implication being that the roastee is able to take the jokes in good humour and not as serious criticism or insult, and it is seen by some as a great honour to be roasted. The individual is surrounded by friends, fans, and well-wishers, who can receive some of the same treatment as well during the course of the evening. The party and presentation itself are both referred to as a ‘roast.’ The host of the event is called the ‘roastmaster.’ Anyone who is honoured in such a way is said to have been roasted.”

•Photo shows Acho Orabuchi.

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