By SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH
The CEO, Diamond Leeds Ltd, High Chief Kenneth Ifekudu (Agbalanze Onyekachukwu na Ozubulu), has made the list of 2023 special national awards recipients.
Recall that as parting gift, former President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the conferment of the national awards on 340 Nigerians and friends of the country in various categories.
While Chief Ifekudu is honoured with the award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), the country’s second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Niger (GCON) was conferred on former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
A letter dated May 25, 2023, addressed to Chief Kenneth Ifekudu and signed by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari was titled, “Instrument of Conferment of National Honour”.
It reads in part, “In exercise of the powers vested in me under section 1(4) of the National Honours Act, I, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in recognition of your outstanding virtues and in appreciation of your services to our country, Nigeria, HEREBY award to you to have, and enjoy title, dignity and all the privileges of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).”
Similarly, a former Governor of Osun State and first interim Chairman of the All Peoples Congress, Chief Bisi Akande is among 23 individuals bestowed with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Other individuals who bagged the award include the CEO of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, the now suspended Governor Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and former Secretary General OPEC, Mohammed Bakindo, who was honoured posthumously.
Reacting to the award, Chief Ifekudu said it will spur him to do more in public service to the nation.
He said, “I, Chief Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu has been conferred with the national merit award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the President of Nigeria.
“This award will spur me to do more in the area of philanthropy, selfless public service and Nation building.
“I am thankful to God who makes all things possible”
He has carried out several philanthropic activities within his Ozubulu community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state and beyond.
He recently flagged off four massive infrastructural developments in the community.
The four major projects include, construction of Obialigbo lock-up shops, erosion control in most affected parts of the community, road construction in Eziora Ozubulu and lighting up of Ozubulu villages with all-in-one solar-powered street lights.
This brought succour to the community that has been subjected to several infrastructural challenges despite its commercial viability.
These are in addition to several educational scholarships and free health care services he has undertaken.
