As iconic Sam Mbakwe bags posthumous award at ABUW Convention
By Tony Ezike
Former Governor of Old Imo State Late Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe has been honoured with a posthumous award by the prestigious Aba Brought Up Worldwide Association (ABUW) ~ Citypost Reports.
The 2nd Convention of the ABUW which took place at Aba Sports Club on Saturday 5th August, 2023 attracted dignitaries comprising government officials, political leaders and captains of industry from various works of life that are committed to upholding Aba sociopolitical and cultural heritage.
The prestigious ABUW is a noble organization of well established personalities whose core objectives include upholding the historical achievements of revered Igbo leaders through community service and other developmental interventions aimed at projecting the enviable values of Aba ancient and contemporary ideals.
Speaking to Journalists during the Convention, the Convener and leader of the group, former Anambra State Governorship Aspirant Chief Barr Ike Oligbo emphasized that the real aim of the group which is to aid development and reinvent the former beautiful city of Aba and bring back the old memories of the city back in the days. He further reiterated the determination of the group to support the present Abia State administration of Dr Alex Otti whom he described as a breath of fresh air to the people of Abia State and Aba in particular.
Joining the Convener during the press interview was the Abia State Government representative Dr George Chiedozie, a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State who stood in for the Governor who was the Special Guest of Honour for the event. Dr Chiedozie speaking on behalf of the Governor made it clear that the new administration was determined to rebuild Aba and restore it’s past glory.
The theme of the event was the restoration and Bandwagon development for Aba to bring back its past glory. High point of the event was the presentation of a posthumous Award to the former Governor of Old Imo State Late Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe by the Abia State Governor ‘s representative which was handed over to Patience Mbakwe the daughter of the former Governor who consequently delivered a befitting eulogy to her Late father. Chief Sam Mbakwe is widely adjudged to be the best governor the South East had ever produced.
The ceremony which was attended by personalities within Aba district like Chief Jerry O. Kalu President Aba Chamber of commerce, the Traditional rulers of Aba North and South as well as other dignitaries was the highlight of the day in Aba on Saturday the 5th of August.
In Emphasising the importance of the event, one of the major group admiNistrators and co-converner of the event Chief Daniel Uzoma pointed out that the group was put together to help meet the expectations of Aba indigenes who has suffered immensely because of industrial scale neglect leading to Aba having possibly the worst infrastructure within the South East.
In his Goodwill message and closing remarks Chief Jerry O. Kalu urged the crowd that attended the event to endeavour to join the highly rated group in.order to be part of the restoration and bandwagon initiatives of Aba Town reinvention.
