By Chinelo Obogo and Chimezie Brown
The Igbo community in Lagos will on Sunday, May 28, 2017, hold an award ceremony in commemoration of the ongoing ‘Lagos at 50’ festivities.
Highlight of the event will be a showcase of achievements and contributions of Igbo in the development of Lagos state.
Revealing this yesterday, during a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of The Sun, Eze Ndigbo, Lagos State, Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, said the event is organised in conjunction with Hon. Jude Emeka Idimogu, member, Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency11.
He said the Igbo community in the state will use the opportunity to showcase the achievements of the Igbo since the creation of the state.
Eze Nwachukwu said awards for excellence would be given to Igbo indigenes who have made their marks and contributed to the development of the state.
“We are going to honour those who have achieved greatly, both dead and living. There are many Igbo indigenes, who, without their achievements, Lagos would not be what it is today. So, we are going to honour such people,” he said.
Eze Nwachukwu congratulated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Lagos State, saying the Igbo were happy to identify with him.
He said: “The relationship built by our forefathers, over 50 years, is worth celebration. We are, thus, showcasing our sons and daughters who have contributed immensely, in their various fields of specialisation, in the past five decades. We thank Governor Ambode whom under his administration, the state is celebrating its golden jubilee. We also call on Ndigbo at home and abroad to turn out en masse to support the celebration.
He said a book entitled, Ndigbo: A factor in Lagos State development, authored by an illustrious Igbo son, Chief Geoffrey Umeh, would be unveiled and launched on May 28.
Eze Nwachukwu said the book chronicles the existing cordial relationship between the Igbo and Yoruba as well as the contributions of Igbo sons and daughters to the development of the state in the last 50 years.
Adding his voice, Hon. Idimogu said since the 50 years existence of Lagos State, the Igbo have been critical stakeholders in its development. He emphasised the need to celebrate those who had contributed in moving the state to where it is today.
He said: “The festivities would give us the opportunity to showcase the activities of Igbo in Lagos. We are stakeholders; so it is better for us to show our support and we also want the support of the media.
