Obi Of Nnewi, Igwe Orizu III Lauds C-River Govt, Tasks Ndigbo On Unity

• Speaks on PVCs’ collection, insists era of rhetorics on election matters over

BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – A traditional ruler in Nigeria’s South East region, the Obi of Nnewi, His Royal Majesty, Kenneth Orizu III, has praised the Cross River State Government (CRSG) for creating a favourable business environment in the state for private enterprises to thrive and grow

Igwe Orizu, who was in Calabar, the Cross River State capital to commission a Chapel built in his alma mater, Hope Waddel Training Institution (HOWAD), to honour him, expressed delight over the current competitive and friendly business climate in the state.

He said visiting the State, his entourage has noticed positive changes, especially the warmth and peaceful atmosphere that makes the business sector very competitive with the Igbo community excelling in their different sectors, which clearly is a sharp departure from events of the past.

Further addressing the people, Igwe Orizu commended the Eze Ndigbo in the state, Sir Emmanuel Ezewenyi for his fatherly and urged Igbos living in Cross River, irrespective of their states of origin, to ensure they continue to accord the Eze Ndigbo the respect and recognition the title deserves.

The Royal father also stressed the importance of Ndigbos living in the State to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), saying the era of rhetorics over election matters is gone and every adult Nigerian must participate in decision making of the choice of leaders by taking hold of the electoral process in the country.

Going down memory lane, Igwe Orizu disclosed that he came to Calabar in 1937 as a student of HOWAD and left in 1941, noting that he is among the oldest surviving student of this highly reputable secondary school in the country.

In his speech at the occasion, the Eze Ndigbo in Cross River, Sir Emmanuel Ezewenyi, thanked Igwe Orizu for sparing time to interact with his people, assuring him that the Igbo community in the state is united and always speaking with one voice in matters affecting their welfare and interest.

Highlights of the event included a cultural display by the Nnewi Women’s Association in Cross River State.

Founded by missionaries from the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland (UPCS) in 1895, the Hope Waddell Training Institution (HOWAD) was named after the Reverend Hope Masterton Waddell.

It is also on record that the legendary Scottish missionary, Mary Mitchell Slessor was a driving force behind the establishment of HOWAD. The school started in 1895 while Slessor landed in Calabar in 1876