Igbo Day: Shops, Offices To Be Closed In Honour Of Sanwo-Olu On December 12

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The Igbo in Lagos State have concluded plans to close their shops and offices as a mark of honour to the Executive Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who will be given one of the highest awards during the Igbo Day celebration coming up on 12th December, 2021.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the epoch event, which is slated to hold at the Police College in Ikeja, will attract several dignitaries both within and outside Lagos State.

Gov Sanwo-Olu was nominated for the award because of his outstanding performance and identifying with the Igbo people in Lagos within his inclusive government policy.

This was disclosed by the Igbo leader and President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, who has demonstrated his leadership quality by mobilizing and organizing this year’s Igbo Day Celebration.

Apart from Governor Sanwo-Olu, who will be given one of the highest Igbo titles for his kindness to Igbo and other ethnic groups living in the State, other important personalities will also be honoured on that day. 

Among them is Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the Grand Patron of Ohanaeze, Lagos State, Chief Ifeanyi Odii, and late Adekunle Fajuyi, to be honoured posthumously, having demonstrated his love for Igbo man, former Military Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi.

Others include former governors of Lagos and Anambra States, Chief Ebute Ukiwe and Chukwuemeka Ezeife,  Super Eagles Captains, Austine J.J. Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, including their former coach, Mr. Bonfre Jo and popular socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu, a.k.a Obi Cubana. Also to be honoured are Chief Chidi Anyaegbu (Chisco), Allen Onyema (Air Peace).

The Chief Host is the President General of Ohanaeze worldwide, Ambassador George Obiozor, while the host is the President of Ohanaeze (Lagos State), Chief Solomon Ogbonna and his executives including the Vice President, Chief Vitus Uzor, the General Secretary Chief Everest Ozonweke, Treasurer, Chief Damian Okoye and Women Leader, Violent Obiora, while the Mother of the Day is Hon. Rita Daniel, President of Ohanaeze Women Wing worldwide.

 Chief Aguene stated that the event will be unique because it will be the first time such is organized in Lagos State. 

He explained that those to be honoured were carefully nominated for their contributions and for making Nigeria proud and great.

On late Fajuyi, Ogbonna stated the Igbo wants to demonstrate that they have not forgotten the love he showed on an Igbo illustrious son, late Aguiyi Ironsi, by paying the supreme price and to show there has been a good relationship between the Igbo and Yoruba and the relationship still continues.

Chief Ogbonna stated that the event will witness the presence of Igbo from the 20 Local Governments and 37 LCDAs, the  council of traditional rulers in Lagos State led by their Chairman, Ezendigbo in Ibeju Lekki, Eze Chris Offia.

Top Igbo citizens and captains of Industry across the globe will attend the event including the Grand Patron of Ohanaeze worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Chief Ogbonna further stated there will be display of various Igbo cultural heritage including masquerades, dance groups, drama and Nollywood actors will also be present to add glamour to the event.

On the award to Governor Lagos State, Aguene explained that Governor Sanwo-Olu has demonstrated that he loves the Igbo since he took over as Governor of the State by empowering the Igbo in various ways. Hence the Igbo found him worthy to be given the award as mark of honour and to demonstrate that the Igbo appreciate what he has been doing through various palliatives, which many Igbo have benefited from.