(Second from right): Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe, the Member representing Umunneochi State Constituency at Abia State House of Assembly; Okpara (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Homeland Security); Prince Okey Igwe and Abia State Director of NOA, Dr. Ngozi Okechukwu
NOA honours Igwe, others, says ‘they are change agents’
[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]
Chief Executive Officer of Mainland Oil, Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe, was among prominent Nigerians honoured with the award of Patrons of the WAI Brigade in Abia State by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
(Second from right): Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe, the Member representing Umunneochi State Constituency at Abia State House of Assembly; Okpara (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Homeland Security); Prince Okey Igwe and Abia State Director of NOA, Dr. Ngozi Okechukwu
Others were the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, Secretary to Abia State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem, Senator Bright Nwanne, Engr. Enyinnaya Chima Nwafor, High Chief Mel Daimeon, Prof. Onyekachi Iheme and Sir Ide Ifeanyi Okechukwu.
They awards were conferred on them during a one-day National Security Sensitisation Campaign Against Political Thuggery, Kidnapping, Drug Addiction, Radicalization and Violent Extremism held at the Dr Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia Wednesday.
Presenting the award to Prince Odinaka, Abia State Director of NOA, Dr. Ngozi Okechukwu, said it was in recognition of his numerous contributions to society and human development.
Dr. Mrs. Okechukwu, who bestowed the awards on the recipients, explained that they were selected not only on account of their contributions to humanity and societal development but were being recruited ac change agents and were expected to contribute to the ongoing search for solutions to insecurity in the country.
“As the security situation becomes more complex and trickier, we all should develop the smartest security solutions to fight indiscipline, corruption and violence from our sectors.
“For me, I cannot be laissez faire. I go above the call of my duties to be creative and innovative. That is why today, we are enlisting the best of the best who have distinguished themselves in peace and human development for the WAI Brigade Grand Patron and Patron Awards,” the NOA Director said.
She called on the awardees to support NOA to restructure the Brigade to effectively fight social, political and economic decadence in Nigeria.
“We shall trust your wealth of experience in repositioning the architecture of security and peace to stop impending crises. Today, we are recruiting you as change agents who can tell us how China and even Ghana of yesterday changed,” she said.
Prince Igwe, while appreciating NOA for the honour done him, assured that he would not relent in assisting to build a progressive but peaceful society through his philanthropic gestures, adding that it was his desire that the youth have brighter, peaceful future.
Founder of Vision Africa, Bishop Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, the Keynote Speaker, spoke on the theme: “Building a People of Peace: Towards Enhancing National Security.”
During the event, a publication of Abia NOA christened Abia Mobiliser was unveiled.
