Nwifuru, Ex SGF, Others, Bag Highest Honours for Ebonyi Community Devt
Onyeka Nnabu
Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru and the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim have been conferred with the highest and most hallowed titles in Ishiagu Hall of Fame celebration in the state.
The both leaders received the Grand Generational Doyen of Community Development (GGDCD) award at Ishiagu in Ivo council area of the state during the 2026 Iconic Doyen award, for their outstanding contributions towards community development.
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The Ishiagu community also honoured other personalities from the community into various categories which included Outstanding Doyen of Community Development (ODCD); Millennium Doyen of Community Development (MDCD); Doyen of Community Development (DCD) and Distinguished Ambassador of Community Development (DACD).
The second category ODCD awardees were: HRH Eze Basil O. Onu (Posthumous); Chief James Aroh Nwele; Hon. Fabian Jackson Nwachukwu (posthumous); Rev Msgr. Prof. Christopher Okoro; Amb. Mathias Okafor; Rev Fr.Prof Cornelius Chukwu Okochi and Engr. Livinus Make.
The third category MDCD awardees were: High Chief Ifeanyi Clement Okorie; Dr Gideon Osi Chidiebere; Dr Peter Afunanya; Dr Eric Eugene Makwe; Hon. Kama Nkemkanma; Pharm Chinedu Makwe, Barr. Uchenna Orji; Prince Ajah Nwabueze and Arc Moses Nnanna Ajah.
The fourth category of DCD awardees: Prof. Ifeanyi Iroha; Mr Cosmos Eze (posthumous); Sir Eugene Ude Anyata (posthumous); Madam Rebecca Orakposim; Chief Ike Cletus Ngah; Chief Ukpai Udeh Napoleon; High Chief Earnest Olu Ndukwe; Chief Barrister Bartholomew Chukwu; Hon. Emmanuel Ajah; Hon Stephen Osi (posthumous); Mrs Ugo Ezenta; Prince Chinedu Okoro; Engr Bartholomew Onu and Donatus Okorie.
The fifth Category DACD were: Chief Emeka Ogbonnaya; Mrs Victoria Ndubuisi Oji; Aka Samuel; Ajah Blessing; Mrs Happiness Lebechi Oti and Mr Leonard O. Chukwud.
The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Patricia Obila commended the community for the award, and further reiterated the deep commitment of his administration to ensuring total peace and unity and even distribution of infrastructural projects across all the communities in the state.
Nwifuru noted that the award would further spur him to greater actions towards rapid developments, appealing them to vote for the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.
In his address, the President General Ishiagu Community Development Union (ICDU), Mr Moses N.Ajah disclosed that the event was conceived about seven years ago to celebrate great sons, daughters and other personalities who have contributed in the the development and growth of the community.
The President General noted that though Governor Nwifuru is not from Ishiagu community, he was honoured with the highest title because of his love and support for Ishiagu community.
Ajah added: “we honour His Excellency, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, the man whose name is synonymous to Ishiagu, the man who at the young age of 39 became Nigeria’s 3rd citizen. The man who has put Ishiagu in the world map. Sen. Anyim has remained the symbol of the Ishiagu with no one to compare with him”.
In an interview, the chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Barrister Uchenna Orji said that the vision behind Ishiagu Hall of Fame was to honour achievers, preserve Ishiagu values and inspire the next generation through verifiable excellence and to make it a triennial events.
He added that the initiative was to also identify and honour Ishiagu people as well as outstanding supportive non-indigenes of inspiring history and accomplishments with at least 10 years of proven impacts in Ishiagu community.
“Regrettably, we face value erosion which is the bane of our progress. Today, we prefer a value system that places money above service; where service to community is no longer honoured; where hard work is not rewarded; where there’s little emphasis on principle and discipline required to live a modest life”.
“Our idea is that if we can get it right in Ishiagu, we will be showing Nigeria a template that can work. A small community solving bug problems becomes a laboratory for national solutions. Ishiagu Hall of Fame concept is not just about giving plagues, it is a deliberate social engineering project. It is our answer to the moral crisis and social voices, Orji said.
He further called on all sons and daughters of Ishiagu both at home and in the diaspora, friends, corporate organisation and government at all levels to partner with the community, as they would continue to celebrate excellence and reward exceptionality in service delivery.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 4th, 2026
