Emeka Ibemere
When Don
Ohakwe, a graduate of the popular Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, started the
University’s Alumni 10 years ago, at his residence at the Festac Town, Lagos
with few ex-students of the institution, he never knew that the organisation
would one day grow to an enviable one in Lagos State.
But that
it’s the situation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Alumni, with its
office at First Avenue, Festac Town.
However,
Ohakwe who sowed the seed of the Alumni, and with the help of other ex-students
of the University, watered it, was today the first of his Lagos State Chapter
of the University’s Alumni’s beneficiary of the prestigious Award for
Excellence in leadership and philanthropy.
So, when on Saturday
27, September 2014, at the corporate office of the Alumni, the whole
ex-students and friends of the university in Lagos State, emptied themselves in
the hollowed chamber office of the Association to give honour to a deserving
member of the Alumni, those who were presence, says Ohakwe deserved the Award,
having singlehandedly bankrolled the organisation to where it is today.
Unizik Alumni is one of the Universities Alumni that is doing
well in Nigeria. The Association rolled out drums and decorated Ohakwe who they
said has done well to merit the award.
Victor Obineme, the President of Unizik Alumni, Lagos State Chapter,
delivering his speech said the association reached consensus on 30th
of August in their well attended general meeting of the organization to
recognize the immense contribution of Mr Ohakwe to the Alumni.
“We adopted the resolution that today, we are going to honour Don Ohakwe
and support his ambition to represent Orlu for the Imo State House of Assembly
come 2015”, Obineme added.
“The Award is not any other thing but for what he has done for the
Alumni. It took ages for the Alumni to take off, but he started it in his
house, they rose to 50 members, some people sabotaged his religious effort but
he refused to back out and when we came back again, he made a move to get the
Association a new meeting venue”.
Speaking further the President of the Association said Ohakwe has
promised to fund the Alumina’s annual lecture.
“What else can we do to support him? And today, we decided to reward him
having neither gold nor silver.” Obineme stated.
According to the leader of the Association, the aspiring politician cum
philanthropist would succeed in his ambition. He prayed God to help Ohakwe to
realise his heart desires.
Obiora Ezenwa, Igwe Akwudoleze of Unizik and one of the executives of
the Association in moving motion for endorsement of Ohakwe as an aspiring
candidate for Orlu representative in Imo House of Assembly in 2015 election,
said it was done in recognition of Ohakwe’s growing political stature, in Imo
state House of Assembly. The alumnus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and
Lagos State Chapter however endorsed Ohakwe with the award of excellence
for leadership and philanthropy to him.
Anulika Obiakor and Austin Mbaekwe executive members of the Lagos chapter
said the chapter decided to support one of their own, Don Ohakwe in his
political aspirations to contest the Orlu state constituency seat to represent
his people at the Imo House.
They explained that they did that to appreciate his many leadership
qualities and benevolence both to the association and the general public.
While acknowledging his many
contributions to the growth of the association in Lagos,Obineme said that
the entire Unizik alumnus, Lagos State Chapter are convinced that Ohakwe has
what it takes to give Orlu quality representation at the Imo House, hence their
resolve to support him.
In his response, Ohakwe said that he was overwhelmed by the endorsement which
he said has further encouraged him in his aspirations, he also said that he would
even do more for the association to further improve their status. He said that
the award is special to him because it has proved that he is a man of the
people.
“I will never forget the Unizik
and I will never shut my doors for any Unizik students or ex-students. I will
be number one person to respond to any call from Unizik Alumina and I will help
in the building of the association,” Ohakwe said.
Speaking further he said that the adoption of President Goodluck
Jonathan by the hierarchy of his party was an indication that the man has
perfumed and deserves a second term.
He debunked the allegation by the opposition that the president had not
performed saying that the opposition was economical with the truth because it was
obvious that the president has fixed power and other things commendable to
greater number of Nigerians.
Ohakwe also said that President Jonathan remains the only Nigerian for
now who has genuine intentions to transform the country, claiming that his
transformation agenda has no comparison in the annals of the nation’s
development history.
He commended the President on his efforts in curbing the insurgents in
the North West, particularly in the reported killing of their leader.
On his chances at the polls next year if gets the nomination, Ohakwe
said that he was sure of victory, claiming that the All Progressive
Congress (APC ), wouldn’t win any state
in the South East. He said so because the party is not on the ground in any of
the south eastern states.
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