From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Edwin Clark, Ayo Adebanjo, Nnia Nwodo and other dignitaries across the country will be in Owerri, the Imo State capital to honour Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who would be celebrating his 80th birthday on September 4.
A press release from the Planning Committee and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Planning Committee Prince Lemmy Akakem and Ben Osuagwu respectively said that several activities have been lined up to mark this great occasion.
According to the release, the ceremonies will kick start on Sunday, August 28, with prayers by friends and well-wishers in all Churches within and outside Nigeria for peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria. This will be followed by a Christian religious worship and Choir CANTATA at Chief Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s residence at Chief & Mrs Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s Drive, New Owerri, Imo State on Thursday, September 1 at three in the afternoon.
On Friday, September 2, there will be prayers for the peace, unity and prosperity of our dear country Nigeria in all Mosques by two in the afternoon. At four in the evening, there will be a football match in honour of this great sports legend Proprietor and Promoter Chief Dr Emmanuel C. Iwuanyanwu, CFR at the Dan Anyim Stadium, Owerri. The football match will be between Ex-Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Players and Ex-Professionals. It will feature the legendary Nwankwo Kanu, Mobi Oparaku, Sunny Ikwuagwu, Sam Oparanozie, Bahama, Danjuma, Emmanuel Amunike, among others.
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The planning community disclosed that “there will be a public lecture titled “IGBO QUEST FOR NIGERIA’S UNITY”. The Lecture packaged by the Nigeria Union of Journalists Correspondents’ Chapel, Imo State Council will be delivered by an erudite Scholar Dr John Nnia Nwodo, Jnr Chief John Nnia Nwodo has served Nigeria in many capacities, he was a former Minister of Aviation, Former Minister of Information, former Special Adviser to President Shehu Shagari, President General Emeritus of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and presently Coordinator Southern/Middle Belt Forum.
This Lecture will be chaired by His Excellency Dr Goodluck Johanatha, GCFR, former President Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The release further reads: “It is expected that our great leaders namely the National Leaders of PANDEF Chief Edwin Clark, National Leader of Afenifere Chief Ayo Adebanjo, National Leader Chairman of PANDEF Sen. Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum Chief Audu Ogbe, Dr Bitrus Pogu of Middle Belt Forum, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Prof. George Obiozor and Prof. Ango Abdullahi National Chairman of Northern Elders Forum will be present to make their contributions on the way forward for Nigeria’s unity. The Venue of the Lecture is Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri, while the time is Ten in the morning. The highlight of the ceremonies will be on Sunday 4th September 2022 with a concelebrated Jubilee Church Service at the Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord CATOL, Owerri, Imo State at 10:00 in the morning. The Primate of the Church of Nigerian Anglican Communion His Grace The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba will officiate at the Church Service with other Bishops and Clergies. The Church Service will be followed by a Grand Reception immediately after at the Landmark Event Centre, beside PROTEA Hotel New Owerri.
“The Biography of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu written by some staff of the University of Nigeria for over Seven Years Titled ‘The Amazing Grace of God’ will be unveiled and presented during the Grand Reception.”