By Emmanuel Okonkwo
The Association of Past Presidents General of Anambra State (APPAS) says it will name its proposed secretariat in Awka after a notable Anambra philanthropist, Sir Emeka Okwuosa, in recognition of his humanitarian services.
The association made this known through its National President, Mazi Omife Omife during their 2024 General Assembly held recently in Awka.
The APPAS 2024 general assembly attracted members and friends of the association in their numbers and saw a lot of personalities including Sir Emeka Okwuosa, Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, Anambra, Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderemi Adeoye, Senator representing Anambra Central at the Senate, Senator Victor Umeh among others, recognized in various capacity for their contributions to community development, nation building, and humanitarian services.
The National President of APPAS, Mazi Omife who expressed happiness on the level of support the association is receiving from individuals, specially appreciated Sir Emeka Okwuosa for all his benevolence towards the group and selfless services to God and humanity, saying that such good works will continue to speak for him.
He noted that Sir Emeka has done a lot for humanity including building an international cardiology hospital, construction of a lot of roads in Oraifite and other parts of Ekwusigo Local Government Area, building of churches, giving scholarship to many, empowering many indigent persons, among others.
He said that the decision to name the proposed APPAS Secretariat after Sir Emeka Okwuosa is aimed at encouraging him to continue with the good works to God and humanity, and as well as to motivate other wealthy Ndi Anambra in the diaspora to bring their wealth home and contribute their quota in the development of their various communities and the state in general, in order to make the state more conducive for people and investors.
He said, “we decided to name our proposed secretariat after Sir Emeka Okwuosa because of his support to this association, APPAS, and his numerous contributions to the development of his home town Oraifite and Anambra state in general.
” Sir Emeka Okwuosa has put smiles on the faces of numerous downtrodden in the society, built churches, given scholarship to many, constructed many roads, built an international cardiac hospital in Oraifite to serve heart treatment needs of the people at very low cost, among other things.
“He has continued to prove his mettle as a true son of the state through his philanthropic disposition, and other wealthy people of the state both at home and in the diaspora should emulate him so as to bring development to every nooks and crannies of the state “.
Mazi Omife Omife explained that APPAS is a nongovernmental and non-political association whose sole objective is to ensure good governance, equitable distribution of democracy dividends and fasttrack development of communities in the state, in the interest of the poor mass.
“We are non-governmental and non-political association and our sole objective is to ensure good governance, equitable distribution of democracy dividends and all round development of communities in the state, in the interest of the poor mass”, he said.
He used the opportunity to call on Nigerian government to urgently device means to reduce the sufferings of Nigerians, as according to him the situation of the people in the country presently, is one that something must be done urgently to remedy.
In a remark shortly after being honoured at the event, Sir Emeka Okwuosa who was represented by a one time Managing Director of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Sir Oseloka Offor thanked members of the association for recognizing his service to humanity, promising to keep supporting the group which he described as an association to reckon with, following its impact in the society.
” I really appreciate you people for recognizing me in this capacity, and I want you to know that I value it a lot and I want to assure you that I will continue to support this association”, he said.
Speaking, the Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief Ogene who was also honoured during the event, expressed joy that an organization with a little beginning could boast of men of timber and caliber as a result of years of sacrifice by the founding fathers.
He encouraged members of the association to speak up whenever things are not going well in the government, but to do that constructively and with the interest of people at heart, reminding them that APPAS is a veritable tool to enthrone good governance since it is nonpolitical and nongovernmental.
He said, “I am happy with the way things are moving in this association and with level APPAS has attained. I must say that this group is capable of reshaping our society, considering the caliber of personalities it has as members.
I want to let you know that you people can bring change in governance through this association. Criticize the activities of government when necessary, but do it constructively and with the interest of people at heart “.
On his part, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeoye appreciated the body for finding him worthy for the recognition as an excellent performer in security architecture, pledging increased commitment to the state police command’s responsibility.
He said, “I felt humbled and the same time gratified and fulfilled that the past Presidents General of over 179 communities in Anambra State found me worthy for an award of excellence in security architecture.
It is a recognition I cherish because it validates and recognises the modest efforts the Anambra state Police command has put in towards serving the people.
This we’ve done in synergy with sister security agencies.
In essence, the award is not just for me or the police, but for all the entire security services operating in the state”.