It was a celebration of unity, peace and progress by the entire people of Uke in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State as the community conferred various traditional titles on its illustrious sons and daughters who had contributed towards the development and peaceful co-existence of the people of the area
The Uke-Day Celebration, organised by Uke Development Union, UDU, commenced with an inter-denominational service conducted by indigenous priests and pastors of the community as directed by the Onitsha chapter President of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International, Gibson Chukwujindu, also featured re-union activities and launching of Uke mini stadium complex among other activities. Altogether, 59 people received various awards on the occasion. Five persons received the Star Platinum award, while 12 received the Star Diamond Award and 23 received the Star Gold just as three others got the Star Progressive Award. Also, three persons received the Star Noble Friends Award, one person got the Star Prestigious Award while five other persons got the Star Posthumous Award. Among the five illustrious sons who received the Star Platinum award were Chukwuemeka Donatus Enendu, immediate past President-General of UDU and Dr. Edwin Emegoako, Medical Director of Crown Hospital, Nkpor, while Sir Victor Agubisi, the incumbent chairman of Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Onitsha Police Area Command and the former chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Idemili branch, Mr. S.N.S. Eze were among the 23 personalities who received the Star Gold Award.
Also five persons including the late Bishop Vincent Ezeonyia of Aba Catholic Diocese received posthumous awards because of their contributions to humanity. Speaking on the occasion, the President-General of UDU, Ikedi Obi, said that the essence of the ceremony was to recognise those who contributed to the growth and development of the community, adding that he was happy that peace and unity had finally returned in the area, after several years of traditional rulership (Igwe-ship) crisis. *Igwe Agbala, wife and his Ichies Obi therefore appealed to the people to remain peaceful and hardworking to ensure progress of the community. In their separate speeches, the Chairman of Uke Day Planning Committee, Anayochukwu Emmanuel; the Chairman of Uke Day Celebration, Dr. Okafor Ejike Echesiogu and immediate past President-General of UDU, Chief Chukwuemeka Donatus Enendu, noted that the award would spur all the awardees to assist in moving the community forward. Specifically, Enendu advised the people to remain peaceful as according to them, any form of rancour and disagreement would plunge the community back into an endless crisis as witnessed before the emergence of the incumbent traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Charles Agbala who had now restored peace and tranquility in the area. The traditional ruler of Uke, Igwe Agbala, in his brief remarks, insisted that peace has come to stay in the community, even as he warned that at no time would the people compromise the unity and development of the area throughout his reign. Highlight of the occasion included the display of cultural dances by various masquerades including the Ijele, Ugo (Eagle) and Odum (Tiger) masquerades.
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