By Ononye VC
As His Royal Majesty,Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe,the Obi of Onitsha,celebrated his 82nd birthday,the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,most Rev Valerian Okeke has congratulated him and prayed for his continued good health and many happy returns of his birthday.
The Archbishop described Igwe Achebe as a peaceful and exemplary monarch who has deep faith in God and acomodates all and sundry.
According to the Archbishop,Igwe Achebe’s reign guarantees freedom and accomodation for non indigenes such that trade and commerce go without let or hindrance.
Achebe he said,has a good Catholic background and has worked closely with the church impressively.
In his message,the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, congratulated the 21st Obi of Onitsha and Chairman of South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, who clocked 82 years.
Achebe, popularly called “Agbogidi” is chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University since 2015, and was earlier chancellor of Kogi State University.
Before his emergence as the Obi of Onitsha, in 2002, Achebe had a long and distinguished career in the Royal Dutch Shell Group serving as Director in various companies in the group.
He also served as the chairman of the board of Directors of Unilever Nigeria, and the chairman of International Breweries Nigeria.
In his congratulatory message, Soludo described Agbogidi as a first-class traditional ruler, who has redefined the traditional institution in Nigeria, particularly in Anambra State.
Soludo said, “Agbogidi is a distinguished royalty and gentleman who has given meaning, honour and dignity to the traditional institution in the South Eastern part of the country.
