Chief Osita Chidoka, former minister of aviation, has extended heartfelt wishes to Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations on the occasion of his 93rd birthday.
Chidoka in a congratulatory message said Anyaoku who is the Adazie Obosi and the most senior “Ndichie of Obosi,” his hometown, is a man he had admired as inspiration and role model for a long time.
Anyaoku, the third Commonwealth Secretary-General, clocked 93 on Jan. 18.
The renowned diplomat hails from Obosi, Idemili North Local Government of Anambra, had his early education at Merchants of Light School, Oba, and the University College, now University of Ibadan.
He described the nonagenarian as a quiet but powerful individual who created bridges across societies, dissolved old animosities, renewed strained relationships, and healed historical grievances.
Chidoka recalled that his earliest contact with Anyaoku was in 1982 when he was crowned Adazie Obosi and he was a bell boy to the late Odu Obosi, Chief Amobi as an 11-year-old boy.
He said that he was glad to join the Obosi Traditional Council as Ike Obosi in 2009 when he took his seat in the same council chamber as Adazie Obosi.
“On the day of Adazie’s capping, I rang the bell and watched with eyes wide open as Obosi culture unfolded in full splendour. What struck me most was Chief Emeka Anyaoku who was urbane, well-spoken, impeccably dressed in his traditional attire, and carrying himself with effortless dignity. A role model was formed that day. I was inspired,” he said.
Chidoka said Anyaoku had contributed to culture and learning in Obosi with the establishment of the Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku Centre, a museum and library.
He said the Centre was dedicated to the study and practice of democracy, management of diversity, human rights, and climate change in Nigeria and Africa.
“As Corps Marshal, I initiated the FRSC Annual Lecture Series and there was no better person to deliver the inaugural lecture than Chief Anyaoku. It was largely because of the tone he set that global figures such as President John Mahama of Ghana, Neil Schuster of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and other distinguished international leaders readily accepted our invitations in subsequent years. Happy 93rd birthday, Adazie Ndichie, nwa ogba ntu, nwa Udezuga ji agala, nwa Obosi ji eje mba, nnukwu mmadu Igbo nwelu, onye Nigeria ji ama atu,” he said.
(NAN)
