Former Anambra governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has felicitated with the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, as he clocked 89 on Tuesday.
In a congratulatory message released by his Media Office, signed by Mr. Valentine Obienyem, Obi described Anyaoku as an exemplary ambassador of Nigeria and Anambra State, on the global stage. Obi stated that Anyaoku has continued to contribute to the peace and development of Nigeria, and indeed Anambra, his home State.
Obi explained that while he lived in the United Kingdom, in the 90s, he always felt proud, as an Igbo man, with Anyaoku’s contributions to the Commonwealth of Nations.
He narrated, “I recall that it was in 1997, during Chief Emeka Anyaoku’s tenure, at Edinburgh Conference, that the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), of which I was an early member, was formed.
“As a body saddled with the responsibility of enhancing trades and mobilising investments among the member nations of the Commonwealth, the CBC played active role in the economic development of member nations. Being an early member of the Council, afforded me the opportunity of participating in their conferences in Malaysia, Mauritius, India, Australia, Malta, South Africa etc.” Obi also recalled that he has also been opportune to speak at different Commonwealth events, especially the ones held in Nigeria and United Kingdom.”
Continuing, Obi said “In 2013, as the then Governor of Anambra State, I recall being a special guest at his 80th birthday hosted by the then Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, at the Commonwealth Headquarters.
“Also as the then Chairman of South Eastern Governors, I co-hosted the 80th birthday celebration of Chief Emeka Anyaoku at Obosi, which had in attendance; all the then South Eastern Governors; Former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and many other dignitaries from across the country and beyond.”
He concluded, “I am therefore honoured to associate with and celebrate a man, whose greatness has rubbed off on us, both individually and collectively as a nation. It is my earnest prayers that God will grant him good health of mind and body now and always.”