National Honour: I’m encouraged to do more for my country, humanity – Igwe , Chrisnak  Group CEO

*Umunneochi people organizes reception for him

From Boniface Okoro

A recipient of Nigeria’s Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), Prince  (Dr Chris Odinak Igwe, says the national recognition would spur him to do more for the country and humanity.

Dr. Odinake who is the Chief Executive Officer of Chrisnak Group, said during a reception organized in his honour by Umunneochi stakeholders, that he was elated to be so recognized by his country.

Igwe, popularly known as Chrisnak, was one of the  450 Nigerians and non-Nigerians, who were conferred with honours, last Tuesday , by President Muhammadu Buhari,  for distinguishing  themselves in the service of the nation and humanity. He was among  the 77 who were  conferred with Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) on the occasion of the 2022 National Honours Award Investiture in Abuja.

 In an interview with The Oracle Today during a reception by his people at his Amuda Isuochi country home in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Igwe, attired in an all-white outfit and flanked by his wife, Princess Peace Ogechukwu Igwe,  said the reception has proved to him that he was deeply loved by his people, adding that the honour would spur him to do more for the country and society.

“I feel honoured, I feel loved and I feel encouraged for my country and to serve himanity,” he said.

The expansive compound of the business mogul was filled with a jubilant crowd on Sunday, October 16, 2022 as the people of Umunneochi trooped out to receive one of her illustrious sons and philanthropist of note as he recently bagged the national honour of PFR.

The reception was graced by traditional rulers, religious leaders, political bigwigs of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) extraction, other stakeholders, as well as support and pro-groups of all hues  which colourful uniforms and scintillating dance steps turned the event to a carnival of sorts.

The jubilant crowd expressed gratitude to God for placing Umunneochi on Nigeria’s National Honours’ map and thanked President Buhari for spotting and honouring their son who have touched lives positively in the Abia  gateway local government and beyond, with the national honour of OFR.

Chairman of the Occasion, Sir Ndidi Okereke, said the event was organised for the people to rejoice with and celebrate their great son.

“We are celebrating our brother who God has blessed. The Bible tells us to rejoice with those who are celebrating so that you will receive your own blessings,” said Chief Okereke, a former State Chairman of Abia PDP.

He told the crowd that he was one of the happiest persons because of the honour done Prince Igwe, expressing hope that greater things would still come the way of Umunneochi people.

“Let me tell you people, in the hierachy of the PDP, after the Governor, the next person is the Deputy Governor, the next person is the Chairman of the party.

“I have been the Chairman of the party. God has given us the Chairman of the party, and given us the Deputy Governor of the State (a reference to the Deputy Governorship Candidate of Abia PDP, Hon. Barr. Phillip Okey Igwe, who incidentally is the younger brother of the celebrant, Prince Igwe), and believe you me, may be with time, depending on what God wants, He will give us the governor of the state, and even more.

“The only way it will come to pass is for us to celebrate what he has given us; to acknowledge and be happy about what He has given us.

“We are very happy today, we are very grateful. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, let Him take all the glory,” he said, adding: “All of you who graced this occasion, God will put smile on all your faces so that as we celebrate with him (Igwe), God will make things to happen to us.”

Earlier, the Coordinator of Uche NdiAbia Campaign Organisation, the campaign outfit of the PDP Governorship Candidate, Prof. Uche Ikonne, Dr Ken Madubuike, who presented the celebrant to the gathering, explained that the reception was organised to make those who were unable to make it to Abuja when President Buhari conferred the honour on Prince Igwe, to have a feel of and share in the joy of the national honour. “We are here for celebration,” Madubuike said.

Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, Hon. Ifeanyi Madu, expressed happiness that good things were happening at a time he is at the helm of affairs.

“I will say that I am the luckiest Chairman of Umunnechi because it’s during my tenure that have the Deputy Governorship Candidate emerged from Umunneochi and our brother was conferred with one of the highest national  honours of the country,” Ifeanyi said.

Others speakers at the event, including Prof. Jasper Uche (for former Chairmen and Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the Council), Hon Dr. Matthew Ibe (for former lawmakers from the area) Prince Dan Okoli ( for former Commissioners),  Lady Joy Dimanochie (for Retired Permanent Secretaries, Public and Civil Servants), Ichie Gburugburu (for Presidents-General, traditionalists and villagers) as well as spokespersons of  Chris Odinaka Friends Club (CFC), Okosisi Ladies, Umunwanyi Okenwa, Okenwa Youth Movement, all praised God for the honour done their patriotic son and a leading light in Umunneochi.

They expressed hope that greater things would come their way next year when Hon. Okey Igwe would be elected Deputy Governor of the State.

The event was spiced with a sermon by Pastor Alich Ogbu Alichi of the Assemblies of God Church who spoke on the theme: “The Good Way.”

Alichi admonished Nigerians to live a just life, show mercy to others by forgiving them when the transgressed against them and be humble for the evolution of a peaceful society.