LOKOJA/Nigeria: For what it described as his genuine love for the Igbos, the Igbo Cultural Association has honoured former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar with the prestigious award of Ochendo Ndigbo, a gesture that is a big boost for him politically ahead of the 2019 Presidential polls if he chooses to contest.
According to a statement signed by the Director Media and Publicity, Atiku Care Foundation North West, Jacob Onjewu Dickson, on behalf of its National Chairman, Ambassador Aliyu Ibn Abbas, the award was presented to Atiku on Saturday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital during the association’s 2017 cultural day celebration.
President General Igbo Cultural Association, Capt M.A Okochi (rtd), who made the presentation, said that it was in recognition of his humanitarian services to the Igbo at large.
He thanked the former Vice President for recognizing the Igbo by sending a representative and that he is also part and parcel of the Igbos as he married from their land.
Speaking further, he said that the Wazirin Adamawa has never relented in his support for the Igbo community.
Captain Okochi went ahead to make a request for the former Vice President in respect of their proposed town hall meeting.
Atiku who is the Wazirin Adamawa was represented by the Kogi State Chairman, Atiku Care Foundation, Honourable Audu Ibrahim.
In his brief remarks, he appreciated the award and pledged continuous support for the Igbo and the upliftment of Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking further, he pledged to support the town hall project.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after receiving the award, he commended the Igbo community for choosing him out of several others for the prestigious award.
“Wazirin Adamawa said he is grateful for this award and is dedicating it to the millions of ordinary Nigerians who have been supporting him and believe in his leadership.
“He said Nigeria is a unique country with several huge potentials that can be realized if we are all united,”
