Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has been honoured with a Chieftaincy title in Awka Anambra State.
Dr Chris Ngige was given the chieftaincy title as “Onyilimgbagba Awka” on Thursday 30th December 2021, by the people of Awka Community during the 2021 Biennial Egwu Ụzụ Festival of the traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu.
According to the report by Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS), during the ceremony, Dr Chris Ngige who said he was delighted and honoured to be receiving the title, thanked the people for their kind gesture, while also celebrating Obi Gibson Nwosu on his 20th anniversary.
Also, the Minister while conveying the goodwill message of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Egwu Ụzụ Festival, stated that the Federal Government will continue to help promote the various cultures and traditions of the people of Nigeria so as to make the country a tourism and investment destination.
The ceremony also marked the twenty-third anniversary of the coronation of Obi Gibson Nwosu.
Dr Chris Ngige said as the Anambra State Government, the Federal Government recognizes only Obi Nwosu as the Monarch of Awka Kingdom, labelling any other person laying claims to the throne as an “impostor” while stating the readiness of the Federal Government to work with major stakeholders to boost the unique cultural heritage of various communities across the Federation.
The traditional ruler of the Community, Obi Nwosu during the breaking of kola nut, thanked God for his protection on him and the people of the community, saying that the event is significant in the lives of Ndị Awka as it showcases them as a technology hub in the country and serves as a moment to attract investors to tap into the potential of the community in science and technology.
The Chairman on the occasion and former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife represented by a former Federal Lawmaker, Chief Ben Nwankwo, said that culture remains an inseparable part of human existence and called on Ndị Igbo at home and in the diaspora not to relent in sustaining and promoting the culture of the Igbo.
The Chairman, Planning Committee of the 2021 Egwu Ụzụ festival, Professor Augustine Nnoyelu and the promoter of Awka Millennium City, Dr Clement Chigbo who is also an indigene of the community said the ceremony was a unifying factor that shows the recognition, honour and importance the people of the community places on the reigning monarch and charged purveyors of discord and violence to have a rethink and turn a new leaf.
Also honoured at the ceremony included popular philanthropist and oil magnet, Prince Arthur Eze, the Member representing Njikoka II constituency at Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr Pete Ibida, the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Oye, a community leader, Chief Nwafor Vincent Nwafor and many others.
Abuchi Nwozor of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS Awka was at the ceremony given an Excellence Community Service Award in recognition for his promotion of Awka values, culture and traditions.
The event featured different cultural and masquerade displays as well as attracted different groups who came to pay their homage to the Awka Monarch.