ABUJA – The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri and others were on Saturday in Abuja conferred with Amuzi Community Merit Award by Imo indigenes living in Abuja.
Dr Chukwuemeka Chuks presented the award to the minister on behalf of former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who was the Chairman of the occasion.
The award was presented to Onwuliri at the launch of N500 million civic centre by Amuzi Progressive Union, Abuja chapter.
Ohakim said the award was in recognition of the minister’s contributions and commitment to the development of youths in Imo and the country at large.
Mr Haliday Nwachukwu, the President of Amuzi Progressive Union, said the award was
given to the minister for her humanitarian services and unrelenting efforts for the nation.
He said that the union, a socio-cultural organisation of all Amuzi sons and daughters from all parts of the world, was established in 1946.
Nwachukwu commended the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration for appointing some sons and daughters of the community into various positions in the country.
He also commended Onwuliri and other awardees for their patriotism and hard work toward the development of Amuzi community and the nation at large.
He said “there is no better time to appreciate those who have contributed to the transformation of the country than now.’’
The president of the union, however, called on Amuzi indigenes to contribute to the construction of the proposed civic centre in Abuja.
He added that the centre, when completed, would provide jobs for Amuzi citizens and other Nigerians.
Nwachukwu said the centre would have a hall with the capacity to accommodate 500 people and a meeting room for 300 people, among other facilities.
Responding on behalf of other recipients, Onwuliri thanked the community for the honour and pledged her continued commitment to ensure the development of the community and the country.
She said “I am very delighted and deeply touched that our people deemed it fit to honour my late husband and me, it is a great day for all of us the recipients.
“This is encouraging because it means that once you are doing your beat, trying to impact on people, people are watching.
“I thank God that our labour is not in vain and we will continue to work hard.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other awardees are Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, the Minister of Water Resources, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Others are Prof. Chinedu Nebo, the Minister of Power, and Mr John Kennedy-Opara, the Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Commission. (NAN)