Chief Dr. Chris Onwudiwe
Ogidi Chieftain Lauds Ogidi Community On Memorial service Of Chinua Achebe
By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
A prominent Chieftain in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Dr. Chris Onwudiwe, has lauded the traditional ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Pharm. Alex Onyido and entire Ogidi Community for their initiatives to mark the Memorial service of a literary icon, Chinua Achebe.
He lauded the traditional ruler and the community shortly after the Memorial Service for the Nigeria's foremost Novelist, late Professor Chinua Albert Achebe which began at St. Philip's Anglican Church Ogidi.
The former staff of First Bank Plc specially eulogized Pharm. Onyido for sacrificing his time and resources to ensure that the recent Memorial service was marked in a grand style.
He described the Monarch as magnanimous, respected and highly influential Royal father who cares for his people.
Onwudiwe who is now a financial consultant based in Enugu who was the organizing Committee Chairman for the event also commended the Committee and those who contributed in one way or the other for the success of the event.
He equally poured encomium on the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, clergies, various community traditional rulers, Ndi-Ichie Ogidi, members of Anambra State House of Assembly amongst others who were at the occasion.
Dr.Onwudiwe said he was impressed with the success of the occasion, saying that it reflected the high calibre of late Achebe and people testified the superb nature of the ceremony.
He described late literary icon as a rare gem, noting that such a person is rare to come by.
” You cannot compare him with any person. I remembered that two successive governments in Nigeria gave him National Award which he turned down because of what was happening in the country and similar things are still happening today.
So, wherever Achebe is now, he will not be happy with the leadership of Nigeria. Achebe believed that the problem of Nigeria is not the people but the leadership. He was an international figure.We are proud of him” Onwudiwe posited.
Chief Ugwunna as he is fondly called urged Ogidi people to come together and contribute to the development of the Community, saying that government should not be left alone to do everything for the people.