The Traditional Ruler of Omor, Ayamelum Local Government Area, Igwe Chidume Oranu has urged governments in the South East to always celebrate Ndi Igbo who have impacted on humanity to preserve their legacies and encourage hard work.
Igwe Oranu made the call during the 2024 edition of remembrance programme for the late literary icon, Professor Chukwuemeka Ike held at Professor Kenneth Dike Library, Awka organised by the Nigerian Book Foundation in collaboration with the Anambra State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists and the state Ministry of Education.
addressing the gathering, Igwe Oranu commended the organisers of the programme for honouring late Ike whom he described as a creative writer who contributed so much in the area of education by writing many novels that shaped people’s vision.
In a paper presentation titled “Moulding Nigeria Back to Shape”, the Omor monarch called for the establishment of state police to address the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.
He maintained that for a country like Nigeria that is experiencing security challenges of many dimensions to thrive, it must have a reasonably secured environment which can be achieved through state police that will be proactive in policing the country.
In her remark, the co-president of Nigerian Book Foundation, Professor Stella Okunna disclosed that they remember late Professor Ike every twenty-eight of April who was the founder of the foundation to preserve his legacies and appreciated his contributions in the area of education.
Professor Okunna further stated that the late Professor Ike was the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu and a great son of Anambra who impacted the literary world on the basis of creative writing.
On his part, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council, Comrade Emeka-Odogwu described the late Ike as a man who rose above his mates by translating the mundane issues of African cultural values and vices into a moving vehicle of literary progress and urged the Anambra State government to immortalise him to keep his legacies alive.
In their separate speeches, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Bennett Emeka and his Abacha counterpart, Igwe Godwin Odimegwu also thanked the organisers of the programme for celebrating the literary icon whom they said distinguished himself through fiction writing and translation of reality into a movable art form.
The event also featured literary competition by students of selected secondary schools in Awka on “The Porter’s Wheel” written by the late Professor Ike which saw Igwebuike Grammar school Awka emerged winner of the competition.
Unveiling of a book named “Nka Na Oru Aka Ndigbo” which talks about the skills and crafts for which Ndigbo are known for reviewed by Mr Izunna Okafor formed the highlight of the occasion.
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