By Chuks Eke
The Forum of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria, FCSON has bestowed a prestigious honouray award on the traditional ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra state, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Sir Ralph Obumneme Ekpe (Igwe No Na Mkpume Agu Aro, Eze Enugwu-Ukwu Na Igwe Umunri) for his outstanding excellent leadership qualities.
Presenting the award to Igwe Ekpe in his palace on Monday, leader of FCSON, Madam Hope Chinyere Iwezor explained that members of the forum started considering the royal father worthy of the award as a result of a warm embrace he accorded them during their first contact with him in his palace on a courtesy call on the day of the just concluded November 8 Anambra Governorship election when they, as election observers paid him a courtesy visit.
Iwezor further explained that based on the warm embrace they received from the monarch in his palace, they went round the town, made inquiries about Igwe’s style of leadership and came to a conclusion that he really deserved such an exalted award from the CSOs due to the fact that majority of the entire community are holding him to a high esteem as a result of his quality style of leadership.
Describing Igwe Ekpe as the most respected icon in the society, CSOs said they were duly authorized by the CSO headquarters in Abuja to confer him with the merit award, after sharing the testimonies with them about the Igwe’s warm embrace and abundant praises from his subjects in the community.
According to their speech read shortly before the presentation of the award, the CSOs disclosed that
the award presentation which they described as a traditional event that takes place on an annual basis, with their core value of excellence, innovation, collaboration and accountability are the foundation of their commitment towards helping futuristic icons in the society to grow intellectually, personally, professionally and culturally.
“Our mission is to promote outstanding performance that is accessible and transparent. We are committed to serving you in a manner that challenges your enthusiasm to continue with the good work you have been doing before and now as Eze Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra state”.
“Your Royal Majesty Sir, it might interest you to note that leadership is the ability to command the obedience of others and the capacity to serve through leading. Leaders are problem solvers. One who is selected, elected or born to solve many problems on our families, schools, clubs and communities are indeed those type of role models that every one of us is proud of”.
“Being a father, a pastor, a professional, a politician, a clergy or a monarch does not necessarily make one a leader. All leaders occupy a position but not all position holders are leaders. (Some are opportunists). Your Royal Majesty Sir, in your own case, it is really exceptional”.
“We would officially admit the hard and honest of your professional and experienced contibutions that have practically helped to make the best of the best due to your painstaking efforts, most especially in the area of human capital development at the grasdroot level, touching lives positively with your leadership capacity and your most outstanding professional input which have successfully promoted individual complex to bring development, innovation and unity in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra state and Nigeria in general”.
“Sir, your support, strength, ability, wisdom, vision, vast knowledge and capacity to contribute extraordinarily to societal successes have successfully elicited the deep seated humanity in us to honour and appreciate your esteemed personality with our todsy’s award of excellent leadership”.
Responding, Igwe Ekpe commended the CSOs for recognizing the humble contributions his humble self and his cabinet members are making to Enugwu-Ukwu community and assured that they would continue to do so in the best interest of societal development.
Flanked by his Cabinet chiefs, including Chief C.N.C Nwafor,(Odu) the Deputy Traditional Prime Minister, Chief Frank Nwokike (Ugogbuzuo), Chief A.I Okoye (Obudulu), Chief Pat Nwume (Oramadike) & Chief Sam Ekpe (Ezenwa di gbo), Igwe Ekpe disclosed that his vision and mission for developing Enugwu-Ukwu would remain sactosanct throughout his period of reign as the custodian of traditional culture in the area.
The monarch thereafter directed Chief Nwafor (Odu) to receive the award on his behalf.
