Traditional rulers in Igbere town under the aegis of Igbere Traditional Council, have conferred the ‘Nwanne Di Na Mba(a friend in Diaspora) 1 of Igbere Kingdom’ title on President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan.
The event was also to commemorate the 10th year Remembrance Anniversary/Memorial Service of late Chief Johnson Uzor Kalu, father of Senator Orji Kalu, at Igbere, Bende local government of Abia State.
The conferment on the Senate President is in honour to recognize and appreciate Lawan for always standing with their son, Kalu.
Accepting the recognition and honour, the Senate President said he was happy to always identify with Senator Kalu, whom he described as childhood friend and former roommate at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).
He commended the political leaders in attendance for putting party difference aside and honouring Kalu’s late father, adding, “we can achieve more when united” as “Nigeria needs each and everyone to be better.”
With the latest title as a ‘friend from Diaspora’ in Igbere Kingdom, Senator Ahmad Lawan openly declared that he is now a son of the soil with a promise to always associate with Igbere, and the Abia North senatorial district.
Dignitaries at the well-attended event included the Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Governors Hope Uzodinma, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, David Umahi and Willie Obiano of Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra States respectively.
Others were former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd.); Minister of Technology, Chief Ogbonanya Onu, Senators T. A Orji and Enyinnanya Abaribe of Abia Central and South senatorial districts respectively.
A former Managing Director of the defunct Diamond Bank, Dr Alex Otti; former President of the Senate, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Prophet Chukwuemeka Odumeje were also in attendance.
Also present were former Abia chief of staff, Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu; Philanthropist, Alex Ikwechegh; PDP chieftain, Dr. Chima Anyaso; House of Reps deputy whip, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Reps spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and several other political leaders, businessmen, captains of industries, and renowned academicians.
Igbere TV reports that the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development and APC candidate in the 2019 Abia governorship election, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, represented the President, Muhammadu Buhari at the event.
Earlier during a sermon to mark the memorial service, the prelate of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Nzie Nsi Eke described late Pa Johnson Uzor Kalu as an accomplished man who lived an impeccable lifestyle while alive.