Akokwa':s Day of Glory in Lagos

 Akokwa's Day of Glory In Lagos

By Ingram Osigwe 

The venue was exquisite. The ambience was cosy. And the event is gay and grand. Indeed,  Saturday,  February 17th,  2024 was a day to remember. It was a day the ancient kingdom of Akokwa was honoured and beamed live to the world, through the instrumentality of one of its illustrious sons,  Chief Celestine Ebubeogu ( Ide Akokwa),  Chairman, Tiger Foods Industries Limited,  makers of the finest brands of food spices.

Term it Akokwa's Day of Glory and you won't be wrong for that was indeed what it was at the Eko Hotels and Suites, the venue of the 21st Sun Newspaper Awards where Chief Ebubeogu was conferred with the Sun Newspaper Industrialist of the Year Award. The Award was in recognition of Chief Ebubeogu's contributions to industrialization and job creation in the country via Tiger Foods' massive backward integration policy and broadening of its marketing and production frontiers.

As Ide's citation was being read, heads bowed in awe, mouths murmured in appreciation and hands clapped in admiration: Right there at the Eko Hotel and Suites, amidst pomp and pageantry and in the full glee of live TV cameras beamed around the world, Akokwa was described as a land of patriotic industrialists and job creators who have done so much to provide employment to unemployed Nigerians. 

Chief Ebubeogu who was unavoidably absent and was represented by Tiger Foods Managing Director,  Don Ebubeogu,  shared the Award category with two industrialists namely former Minister for Industry and Master Energy boss, Dr Uche Samson Ogah and Chief James Uzuh(Omeiheukwu),  Chairman,  J - Jumac  International Company Ltd.

In his speech,  the elated Chief Ebubeogu thanked consumers ofe Tiger Foods brands for their loyalty and patronage over the years;  he also expressed immense gratitude to the Sun Newspapers for the Award,  noteing that the honour would go a long way to spur him to do more for humanity and Nigeria.

In a show of strength, conviviality and brotherhood hundreds of eminent sons and daughters of Akokwa across Nigeria emptied into the Eko Hotel and Suites to celebrate and rejoice with one of their own.

Some of them include  Principal Partner, Maple Partnership law firm, Barr Oke

y Muomalu, Chairman Panda Hotel & Suites Lagos , Chief Willie Obi, CEO Golden Destiny Hotel Chain Lagos , Chief Isreal Orjiekwe, Chairman, Koil Nig Ltd, Chief Luke Okeke,

Chairman, U Frank Nig Ltd, Chief Uche Offor, MD, Full page Comm Ltd, Chief Ingram Osigwe and CEO Mega Maritime Services Chief Ifeanyi Ikejiaku among numerous others. 

Similarly, friends of Ide Akokwa from neighouring towns came in solidarity. 

Such was Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti( Mighty Mighty), an Umuchu,  Anambra state born and Port harcourt based businessman &  philanthropist. 

Incorporated over two decades ago as Spices Manufacturing Company,  Tiger Foods,  with Ebubeogu's strategic managerial skill, has not only cemented its status as a driving force in the food industry but has also set an unparalleled standard of excellence and innovation in the industry.

Industry watchers opine that Tiger Foods has soared higher, even beyond the imagination of the founders. With strategic vision, Tiger Foods has successfully grown into a prominent and respected brand within the food industry and among consumers.

It's worth mentioning that Tiger Foods sources most of its raw materials locally thus proudly producing made-in-Nigeria brands.

The company has a robust backward Integration Program spanning the length and breadth of Nigeria which has ensured that it now boasts of a processing capacity of 10,000 Metric tons of raw material annually.

The darling of consumers, Tiger Foods' products, widely circulate in many African countries where they are exported. 

Beyond Africa, the company is now on the cusp of opening new frontiers in the USA and UK following hot demands.

A galaxy of other Awardees and guests who graced the colourful Sun Awards include the President/CEO of Pwan Group Dr Jayne Onwumere who received the Sun Investor Of The Year Award alongside other top dignitaries from sectors of the economy like Aliko Dangote (Dangote Group), Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson Motors), Tony Elumelu (UBA Bank).

Other awardees and guests include Peter Mbah (Governor of Enugu State), Dapo Abiodun (Governor of Ogun State), Mohammed Yahaya (Governor of Gombe State), Olufolake Abdulrazaq (First Lady of Kwara State), Peter Obi (LP Presidential Candidate), HRM Obama Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojájá II (Ooni of Ife), His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III (Olu of Warri), Uma Ukpai (founder/President) Uma Ukpai Evangelical Association), Femi Bakre (MD/CEO Parallex Bank), Moruf Oseni (MD/CEO Wema Bank), Gbenga Komofe (MD/CEO Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission), Adaora Umeoji (Deputy Managing Director Zenith Bank), Pharm Uche Nwana, CEO, Sylken Nig Ltd, Lady Adaeze Chukwudozie, Vice Chairman of the Dozzy Group, Ngozi Ezeonu (Nollywood Actress) and a host of others

Ingram Osigwe, The CEO, Full Page Comm Ltd.

Akokwa Hosts Nigeria as Eze Okoli Celebrates Odu Obi Festival

Akokwa Hosts Nigeria as Eze Okoli Celebrates Odu Obi Festival

The ancient kingdom of Akokwa in Ideato North local government area of Imo state will on December 28, 2021 host Nigerians from all walks of life as its monarch, His Royal Majesty Eze (Sir) Ikenna C Okoli (KSC) (MSI)  (Okoli V.) Agbakwuruibe III. The 11th. Obi of Akokwa will be celebrating the 2021 edition of the prestigious Odu Obi festival, his second since ascending the throne.
For the monarch, it will be a triple celebration as his second ODU Obi festival coincides with his 19th anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.
He also turned 50 on February 28th 2021..

The 2021 Odu Obi festival will be graced by prominent Nigerians including His Royal Highness, Aseme-Alabo Duma Jack-Brown, KONGO XVI, Royal  Head  of the Buoye -Omuso (Brown) Royal/Major House, the paramount ruler of Finima, in Bonny local government of Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Igwe (Amb.) Lawrence Agubuzo,
Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council among other monarchs and personalities across the country.

Deserving Nigerians will be conferred with chieftaincy titles by the Akokwa monarch during the festival.
Ijele & Ikenga Akokwa and Chairman, Orange Group, Chief (Sir)Tony Ezenna,OFR is the chief host of the festival.
A detribalised Nigerian,  Eze Ikenna Okoli has friends across Nigeria's religious and ethnic divide having had his early education in the North, higher education at the Abia state university, Uturu, lived briefly in Lagos and ran his businesses in Abuja.
Born as Prince Ikenna C Okoli on 28th February,1971 to HRH Eze (Sir) Osita C Okoli IV (Late) and late Lady Bibian E Okoli (Ezenwanyi), Eze Okoli, as a young Prince, was embedded with the zeal for entrepreneurship hence immediately after his graduation decided to be an employer of labour hence the birthing of Equipment Alliance limited where he is still the MD/CEO till date.
Equipment Alliance Limited specializes in leasing of equipments such as earth and marine equipments with its head office at FCT,Abuja.The company played an important role in the construction of Abuja National Stadium prior to the hosting of the All African games(COJA) and committed to the construction of several other projects both in the public and private sectors.

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Mr. Ingram Adichie Osigwe,arpa
MD/CEO Fullpage International Communications Limited.

Celebrating the Life and Time of Hon. Emma Osigwe

Celebrating the Life and Time of Hon. Emma Osigwe

- By Ingram Osigwe

According to Abraham Lincoln,"in the end, it is not the years in your life that counts, it is the life in your years" 

The above underpins the life trajectory of the late Hon. Emmanuel Osigwe.

Born 88 years ago in Umuopia, Akokwa, Ideato North local government area of Imo, the late Osigwe was an educationist who encouraged many young people to embrace education.

Not only did he preach the gospel of education through out Akokwa, as a headmaster, he was instrumental to the establishment of a primary school at his immediate community, Umuopia.

As a bridge-builder, he not only ensured that Akokwa kids got quality education, he also collaborated with his friend and traditional ruler of the neighbouring Umuchu in Aguata LGA Anambra State , HRH Igwe Ignatius Offorbuike( Ezeora)of blessed memory   to ensure that many got admitted to Umuchu High school.

In the same manner, it was through his instrumentality and friendship with the late Umuchu monarch that several Akokwa indigenes got employed as teachers in Anambra State.

A one-time councillor in Ideato North local government, the late Hon. Osigwe was a stickler for discipline and honesty, virtues he wore like a garb through out his 88 years on earth.

He was indeed an embodiment of the virtues of honesty and integrity.

As a political leader, he held tightly, stubbornly to these virtues and applied them to his everyday conduct.

For example, piqued by the corruption that oozed from the Ideato North local government then, Hon. Osigwe had petitioned the then Imo state Military Administrator over the frivolous spending of the council Chairman, a situation that was to cost him his position as councillor, salaries and comfort.

As a politician and community, Hon Osigwe was a sincerely altruistic person, never known with no attachment to material things. He served his people selflessly, attracting development to them.

He was contented with his pension and never longed for ostentatious, ill acquired wealth. Sadly, the country he served meritoriously denied his pension to the end.

As a loving husband and father,Hon.Osigwe greatly brought his virtues and philosophies of life to bear on his household. No wonder all his children turned out shining stars in their various areas of endavour.

Right from their young age, the late Hon. Osigwe had  ensured that all his children imbibed the value of education.

For example, they all grew up to see the massive library in the house which he got International Organisations to equip with books.

He would later strive to ensure that all the kids got quality education up to university level.

Emma was born when education had started to make meaning to Akokwa people. He was bracing up for the white man’s education when his father Osigwe, died in December 1940. Emma was just eight years old.

Together, his most senior brother Celestine, and their mother Nwanebe saw him through primary education. The young Emma obtained the then respected Standard Six Certificate and had a stint in teaching before proceeding to a Teachers Training.

Born in 1932, the late Hon. Osigwe was trained as a teacher at Azaraegbelu Teachers Training College where he obtained grade- three teacher's certificate  and then became a full fledged teacher.

He later did a required one year course in Education and became a grade- one teacher(an equivalent of today's NCE)

His last posting was to Community Secondary School, Osina in Ideato North, Imo State from where he meritoriously retired in 1997.

Hon. Emma Osigwe spent his retirement life farming (on a higher scale), reading and writing as well as in rendering some humanitarian services.

His zeal for selfless community service was unwavering. For example, on retirement in 1997, Emma Osigwe took it upon himself to continue to check the devastating erosion from central school (near his house) to Ama-Agba junction.

To crown it all, in 2011, Emma used both his Federal and State Pension  to construct deep gutters on both sides of the said road up to a point.

The news of this uncommon patriotic act got to the leadership of the Umuopia Development Union of the time. The President- General then, late Chief (Sir) Anthony C. Okpara (Aputaifeadi) approached the Opia of Umuopia, Eze (Dr) Don Opurozor who approved of a well-worded letter of commendation to this icon.

A consumate family man, In 1965, Emma met his heartthrob, a fashion- designer of all-time, late Mrs Ifeoma Osigwe (nee Munonye- Asiegbu) from Umuojii Umukegwu- Akokwa. The union was blessed with five surviving children- all with family.

A strong- willed personity, few heart rending occurances in his later life were to directly tugged at Emma's heart.

These were the death, almost in quick succession of  two of his children- both science graduates- and then that of his dear wife after a protracted illness few years later.

Emma succumbed to the vagaries of old age on February 26, 2021 and was immediately buried in accordance with his last wishes.

SGF Lauds Akokwa Christian Elite Forum's Comittment To Nation- Building

SGF Lauds Akokwa Christian Elite Forum's Comittment To Nation- Building

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha has commended the Akokwa Christian Elite Forum for its contribution to nation-building.

He described the Forum as an assemblage of patriots who have the progress and unity of Nigeria at heart saying the Akokwa nation was lucky to have them as sons and daughters.

The SGF was speaking at the annual Akokwa Eminent Persons Dinner powered by the Forum.

The Akokwa Christian Elite Forum hosted Mustapha to this years.

An apolitical and non-governmental Christian body, Akokwa Christian Elites is made up of businessmen and women, professionals, intellectuals and other categories of peace-loving and socially constructive men and women of Akokwa in Ideato North council area of Imo state who believe in the supremacy of God and who live a life guided by Him through the Christian faith.

The annual dinner attracts eminent personalities. Among highly placed Nigerians who had in the past been hosted to dinner by the body include captains of industry, political leaders, academics, professionals, religious leaders among others.

These include Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa of Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc., and former Chairman Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr Tony Ewelike, CEO, A. G Homes, Arc. Azike Diribe, a First-class Architect of the Integrated Consortium, Mr Marvel Akpoyibo, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Administration, Professor Pat Utomi of the Lagos Business School, His Excellency  Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (GCON), former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Bar. James Ocholi (SAN), the Pro-Chancellor of Salem University, Kogi State, Arc Ifeanyi Odedo, Managing Director, Sharon Ultimate and Sharon Regency Hotels, Abuja, Dr Uche Ogah(OON), Minister of State, Mines and Steel.

Various speakers at the event praised the dexterity of the brains behind the Forum and paid glowing tributes to them.

Earlier in his address, President of the Forum, Cliff Onyeje said, "we are partners in the socio-economic and spiritual growth of our people.

"Like past dinners, this year's dinner is geared towards this".