Anambra Central People’s Forum, a registered Pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization, is set to recognize and honour Lady Uju Ifejika (OFR), with a befitting Grand Civic Reception and conferment of the Prestigious “Woman of Inestimable Value and Heart of Gold Award”, in their Year 2024 Prof. (Engr.) Philip Nwabueze Atanmo Annual Igbo Essay Competition for Secondary School Students in Anambra State”. This is contained in a Press Statement signed by the association’s Secretary-General, Chief Uchechukwu Okeke.
Lady Uju Ifejika (OFR), emerged the most deserving nominee after a meticulous search and scrutiny by the association’s Award Selection Committee. Those who do great things that have significance and salutary impact on the lives of a large number of people are hoisted on the shoulder like a flag on the totem pole. They are held up as a symbol of pride, a symbol of accomplishment, an example worthy of emulation.
This aptly captures the reality of Lady Uju Ifejika’s Grand Civic Reception and Woman of Inestimable Value and Heart of Gold Special Recognition Award.
She is a successful Nigerian Lawyer and Chairperson/CEO of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited (BUNL); an indigenous petroleum company for upstream exploration and production, and Brittania-U Ghana Limited (BUGL).
Ifejika has dominated the Oil and Gas sector in Nigeria as one of the few female geniuses at the helm of affairs. Those who asset that “whatever a man can do, a woman can do even better”, must have come in contact with the personality of Lady Uju Ifejika (OFR). She is believed to be one of the six most powerful women in Oil and Gas sector in the world.
However, despite her nostalgic accomplishments and recognition in the topmost echelon of human endeavour, she maintains an impressive mien and good disposition at all times. Her remarkable humility is a rare virtue noticeable in only a few contemporary colleagues who have reached the zenith of their career. Her garb of simplicity is partly a product of her humble and disciplined upbringing. She is, also, perhaps, well advised by Chinua Achebe’s lines in “Things Fall Apart”, that those whose Palm Kernel has been cracked for them by the benovelent spirit should learn to be humble. She is easy going, accessible and always ready to assist. She is an accomplished Lady of Substance who has enriched people’s lives with virtues and beauty of character. She is reputed to have been used extensively by God to accomplish great feat.
A merchant of progress, light and of development, Ifejika’s personality and aura are outstanding and amazing, so are her wits, abilities and vision.
Nigeria owes her a depth of gratitude, and the Pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization, Anambra Central People’s Forum is indeed, proud to provide the platform to give honour to who it is due at the forthcoming Grand finale of Prof. Engr. Philip Nwabueze Atanmo Annual Igbo Essay Competition for Secondary School Students in Anambra State.
The State-wide Igbo Essay Competition is organized to specifically improve the speaking, writing, reading and study of Igbo Language in the 21st Century. The Year noble event is envisaged to hold on Friday, 22nd November, 2024 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
