The third Emeka Anyaoku Lecture series on good governance holds tomorrow in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
According to Youths Affairs International Foundation, Prof Bart Nnaji would be the Chairman; Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio will be the Special Guest of Honour and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan the Chief Host.
The theme of the Lecture is “The Role of Youths in Nation Building” and would be delivered by Prof Anya O. Anya, Prof Dora Akunyili and Prof Pat Utomi.
The former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on Friday in Abuja expressed concern about what he described “the worrisome statements” being made about the 2015 elections by a number of high-profile citizens.
Anyaoku made the observation in Abuja at a lecture to commemorate the 2013 Nigeria Public Service Day.
“We hear declarations from notable nationals that the president in 2015 must come from a specific area of the country.
“We also hear at the same time from similarly notable nationals that a different area must have its full two terms of eight years.
“In our ethnically and religiously diverse country that is still to cohere fully into one nation, the potential consequences of the failure by either side to win the presidency in 2015 are the grounds for my worry, “ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the former Commonwealth chief as saying at the lecture.
He, therefore, called on politicians and opinion makers to stop and think of the implications for the country’s stability of the battle lines for the elections being drawn on sectional and ethnic basis.
Anyaoku, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said, in order to promote national solidarity and entrench democracy, “our politicians and leaders of thought must move away from section-based to policy-based politics.’’
He said that campaigns and advocacy of support for candidates should be based on the manifestos of political parties outlining policies and programmes for addressing the various challenges facing the country and its citizens.
Anyaoku added that competition among individual candidates for political office should be driven by specific pledges of how to serve the various concerns of the electorate rather than sheer quest for power.
President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Chief Chukwumeka Anyaoku who turned 80 years on Friday.
The president in a letter praised the elder statesman and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth for his tireless service to the nation.
The letter reads:
“On the occasion of your landmark 80th birthday anniversary which comes up on Friday the 18th of January 2013, I write to heartily felicitate with you and your family on behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“In the past four score years of a life of outstanding accomplishment and great personal fulfillment, you have not only served our nation at the highest levels with an uncommon sense of patriotism and unwavering dedication, you have also brought great pride to Nigeria through your notably successful service as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations. Till date, you continue to give of yourself in the service of the fatherland.
“I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for your life and to pray that He continues to bless you with robust health and imbue you with His continued guidance, protection, and enduring provision.”
He wished Chief Anyaoku “a very richly deserved Happy Birthday.”
Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Anambra State Governor Peter Obi were among 10 eminent Nigerians rewarded for their good character in public offices.
Frontline entertainment company, Silverbird Group, gave them the awards at the weekend.
The event was the third-year anniversary of the entertainment and communications giant in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
It took place at the prestigious Emmaus House.
Other recipients included the member representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofie Federal Constituency, Uche Ekwunife and the senator representing Anambra South, Dr Andy Uba.
Also, honoured were an oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze; former Minister of Health, Prof Ikechukwu Madubuike; businessman, Dr Obinna Uzor and Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Prof Madubuike, from Abia State, who doubled as the chairman of the event, urged Ndigbo to build a Hall of Fame for those who have distinguished themselves in the zone.
He noted that it is good for such people to be honoured while they are still alive than to give them posthumous awards.
The academic criticised wealthy indigenes in the area for not investing in print and electronic media as like their counterparts in the Southwest.
He described the award recipients as worthy ambassadors of Igbo land.
According to him, they are honoured in the month their leaders were born.
Those born in the month, the former minister said, include the first Nigerian President, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe; the late Dr Akanu Ibiam; the late Biafran war lord, Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and foremost politician, the late Dr Kingsley Ozumba Onyioha.
Ekwunife and Uba hailed the Silverbird Group for the honour.
They added: “This award will spur us the more to serve our people better.”