Valentine Ozigbo, the flagbearer of Peoples Democratic Party in the November 6 Anambra governorship election, has been conferred with the honourary citizenship of Awka by His Imperial Majesty, Igwe Obi Austin Ndigwe, Eze Uzu III of Awka.
The ceremony, which held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 was one of the activities marking this year’s edition of the annual Otite Awka Festival celebrated by Igwe Ndigwe at his palace to commemorate the New Yam Festival.
While conferring Mr Ozigbo with the honour, Igwe Ndigwe acknowledged the respected business leader’s ability in the public and private sectors and prayed that he would bring same to bear in transforming the governance of Anambra State and ultimately change the governmental experience of Ndi Anambra from bad to good.
“Only God can turn ordinary men like us into kings and governors. I will continue to pray for you, but what is sacrosanct is that APGA must go,” Igwe Ndigwe declared.
In his response,, Mr Valentine Ozigbo said the honour bestowed on him was symbolic and deeply appreciated as it sends the right signals about the aspiration of the overwhelming number of Ndi Anambra for better governance.
“This honour is symbolic because I have been touring the nooks and crannies of Anambra State for the past two years, visiting all the 21 local government areas seven times to explain our plans for Anambra State and preaching the Ka Anambra Chawapu gospel,” Ozigbo disclosed.
The leading gubernatorial candidate said his interest in being Governor was to improve the experience of Ndi Anambra and benchmark it among the best templates of good governance.
“All our efforts are geared towards entrenching excellence in governance at Agu Awka,” Ozigbo added.
“Now, Eze Uzu has made me a citizen. I agree with you that God is the ultimate kingmaker. God uses men like you to install leaders, which will be the case in this governorship election.
“My promise to the people of Awka is that they will enjoy my stay as their tenant. Awka is currently a glorified village, but all that is about to change because our state capital has a pivotal place in the transformational agenda in our Ka Anambra Chawapu plan, and I will make Ndi Awka proud,” Ozigbo assured.
Ozigbo, a multiple award-winning global CEO, who is the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, also appealed for the votes of the Ndi Awka in the November 6 Governorship election, which he acknowledged as currently the most consequential election in the Nigeria.
He was accompanied to the event by dignitaries who included Chief Okey Muo Aroh, a member of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC); Rt Hon Keluo Molokwu, a former Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Chief Cosmas Agagbo, a former Anambra State PDP Chairman; Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), and Lady Chibuogwu Benson-Oraelosi, among others.
Valentine Ozigbo is one of only few global Kaizen champions. His inspirational Ka Anambra Chawapu message has united the people of Anambra around his vision for the development of the southeastern state.
Ozigbo is a proud ambassador of the Igbo culture and introduced the annual New Yam Festival at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, when he served as its Managing Director and CEO.
