Chief Sam Onuigbo (left), receiving the award from the Board of Trustees Chairman of World Ignore Youth Assembly, Dr. Nneji Casmir
Onuigbo urges Igbo youths to work hard, be focused, as he bags award from WIYA
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Chief Sam Onuigbo (left), receiving the award from the Board of Trustees Chairman of World Ignore Youth Assembly, Dr. Nneji Casmir
The member representing South East on the board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Chief Sam Onuigbo, has charged youths from South East to imbibe the virtues of hard work and honesty to be able to build a brighter future for themselves and a better Igbo nation.
Chief Onuigbo who gave the charge after receiving an award as a True Patriot from the World Igbo Youth Assembly (WIYA) in Umuahia, Abia State capital, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, also said that he would not relent in contributing his quota at all times to community development.
“I want to encourage you,” he told the WIYA members, “to keep your hands clean. I am advising the youths to learn, work hard and remain focused,” adding that time will come when only character and integrity will decide their fate.
The two-term former federal lawmaker who represented Ikwuano/Umuamiahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, said he was overwhelmed by the award and thanked the organization for choosing him alongside one of his mentors and elder statesman, Dr Sam Ohuabunwa, for the honour.
According to him, the award is a validation of the mentorships he has been received from Chief Ohuabunwa, and a renowned banker, Chief Onyemuwa Chionuma, for over 24 years now, which has remained his guided and enabled him to record the various achievements for which he was being honoured.
He therefore vowed to continue to involve himself in community development, as well as mentoring of the Nigerian Youth.
The former Diplomat who was flanked by his wife, Pastor Dame Chinyere Ngozi Onuigbo, further advised the World Igbo Youth Assembly to avoid the quest for money and maintain its high standard of screening their awardees.
Presenting the award earlier, the Board of Trustee (BoT) of WIYA, Dr. Nneji Casmir, explained that Chief Onuigbo was chosen because of his simple life style and particularly in recognition of his honesty and transparency in leadership as well as commitment to the welfare of the people.
The WIYA BoT Chairman commended the NEDC Board member for his youth development programmes and enjoined him to let other politicians develop interest in grooming the youth as their future successors.
In his address, President WIYA, Dr James Chibuike Ajuzie, disclosed that the body resolved to honur two outstanding Igbo leaders from each of the seven states that make up their sphere of operation.
He described Onuigbo as a good leader and father of Igbo youths because of his interest in developing and empowering the youths.
“We have come here today to give honour to whom honour is due; to evidently associate ourselves and the teeming population of Igbo youths all over the world with a man of the people; the man whose principles are decency of life.
“An astute administrator, a leader per excellence, well standing in our time and even far beyond, one who believes so much in the genuine productivity of the younger generations for good; a man who has continued all his lifetime to bank on human capital development by empowering the youths at different levels,” Dr Ajuzie said.
The event attracted members of WIYA from different states and was witnessed by associates Chief Onuigbo, also known as Odozi Obodo Gburugburu for his numerous community development efforts.
