Ohanaeze felicitates Okonjo-Iweala, Obiozor, Oramah, Elumelu, Irabor, other Igbo National Honours Award recipients  

The National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has hailed Igbo recipients of various National Awards conferred on them by President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at the International Conference Center, Abuja.

Those honoured include the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who received the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON) and the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide who got the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) award.

A statement by Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, while expressing gratitude to the Presidency for the National Honours to the deserving Igbo sons and daughters, said “it is our hope that the above honours will find profound expression in the service of humanity.”

Full text of the statement reads:

The National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and indeed all the sons and daughters of the Igbo nation felicitate His Excellency, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, as he is conferred with the prestigious national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Obiozor is an erudite scholar, seasoned diplomat, bureaucrat, author and silent achiever. The renowned scholar has served Nigeria meritoriously as the director-general, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos; High Commissioner to Cyprus; Nigerian ambassador to the State of Israel and the Nigerian ambassador to the United States of America. He was elected as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on Sunday January 9, 2021.
Since his assumption of Office as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Obiozor has deployed his prowess in the advocacy for a Nigerian President from the South East of Nigeria come 2023. We are therefore very excited that the national honour to our elder statesman is coming at the most defining period of the Igbo history and also at the most intriguing chapter in his life as the Leader of Ndigbo. Professor Obiozor in his reflections, dedicates the national honour to the present and future generations of Ndigbo.
We wish to use this opportunity to congratulate our daughter with sterling qualities; a global icon and astute administrator, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the Director General, World Trade Organisation for a rare feat; clinching one of the most coveted honours the Federal Republic of Nigeria can bestow, the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON). Others illustrious recipients that made the enviable list as the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) include a brave soldier Gen. Lucky E.O. Irabor; HRM Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, HRM Eze (Dr) E.C. Okeke, HRM Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke, HRM Eze Charles N. Nkpuma and Chief Tony O. Elumelu. Other deserving Igbo sons and daughters that clinched the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) include; Engr. David Nweze Umahi, Rt. Hon. Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Sen. Chukwuka Godfrey Utazi, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, Prof. Benedict Okechukwu Oramah, Dr. Allen Onyema, HRM Dr. Benjamin Ikechuku Dein; HRH Prof Laz Edward Nnanyelu Ekwueme and Engr (Dr) Chukwuemeka Okwuosa.

Other worthy sons and daughters that earned the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) include Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, Justice Pascal Nnadi, (CJ Rtd), Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Prof Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, Maj. Gen. Obi Abel Umahi, Dr. Christian Odinaka Igwe, Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu, SAN, Chief Nnaemeka Ngige, SAN, HRH King Amb. Dr. Apollos Chu, Dr. Alexander Chika Okafor, Sen. Osita Bonaventure Izunaso, Sen. Dr. Eze Darlington Ajoku, Sen. Julius Ucha, Onueze C. Joe Okocha, SAN, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,, Prof. Gabriel O.C. Okenwa.

Similarly, we extend our felicitations to our sons and daughters who are treasured with the honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), they include; Prof Ihechukwu Chiedozie Madubuike, Chief Charles Odunukwe, Chief Sir James Uzochukwu Uduji, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, Chief Hon. Godwin O. Ogbaga,  Venerable Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Engr. Christopher Chigbo, Prof. Hilary O. Edeoga, Mr. Anumudu Theodore Akujobi, Chief Gabriel Ogbechie, Prof Emmanuel Nwaeze, Comfort Chukumuebobo Ekaro, Hon. Barr. Nkeiruka C. Onyejeocha, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, His Grace Most Rev. Prof Daddy Hezekiah, Dr. Chikwe Andreas Ihekweazu, HRH Igwe Jude Chijioke Obidiegwu, HRH Igwe Prof Onuora Nwuneli, Dr. Chinedu Eze, Sir Daniel Nwanneka Chukwudozie, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, Dr. Chinedu Nwankwo and Ichie Nnaeto Orazulike.

Those favoured with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) include; Mrs. Comfort Nwobu, DIG Joseph O. Egbunike (Posthumous), Anthonia Ifeoma Opara, Comrade Christopher Ikechukwu Isiguzo, Chief Dr. Ngozi Okafor, High Chief Emeka Chukwuma Agbanari, Mr. Linus Okorie, Prof Ferdinand A. Ofodile, Sir Dr. Billy O. Okoye, HRM Eze Sir Uzo Nwosu and Hon. Barr. Ernest Nnamdi Ezike. The eminent Igbo sons and daughters that are preferred for the award of the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) include; HRM Eze Isaac Ikonne, Victor Nkemjika Nwokeji, Dr. Uzoma Elizabeth Emenike, Ejezie Emeka Rollas, Victor Etuokwu, Mr. Dike James Chigbue, HRH Igwe Dr. Oranu Chris Chidume, Princess Onyinye Omachukwu Uwaechia, Elder Raymond Aliga, Prof Bonn Obikwe Godwin Nwanolue. Our exceptional daughter Ms. Josephine Agu, the Airport Cleaner who returned $12,200 found in the toilet at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, (MMA), Lagos was also appreciated with the award of Federal Republic Medal 11.

While expressing gratitude to the Presidency for the National Honours to our deserving sons and daughters, it is our hope that the above honours will find profound expression in the service of humanity.

Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.