Arochukwu Youth Forum on Saturday 12th January, 2019 honoured the Chairman of Classic International Magazine, Dr. Iyke Kanu with a merit award as Onwa (Moon) of Arochukwu Youths for his developmental strides in the community on the occasion of Grand Civic Reception for Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa.
Iyke Kanu is an author, community leader, philanthropist and accomplished business mogul sitting atop a number of blue chip conglomerates.
Etokebe as Dr. Iyke Kanu is fondly referred to shone like a million star as he was visibly the cynosure of all eyes at the event, stealing the show by every single step he took.
Presenting the award to him, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa eulogized Etokebe for being a true son of Arochukwu and for his unquantifiable contributions towards developmental projects in the community and youth empowerments.
The astute industrialist encouraged other sons and daughters of Arochukwu to emulate Etokebe’s philanthropic disposition to the youths in one hand and the community at large.
While delivering his speech earlier, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa extoled Dr. Kanu’s virtues, as a true friend and progressive son of Arochukwu whose lifestyle is worth emulating by other sons and daughters of Aro.
It will be recalled that Etokebe led the entire people of Arochukwu to work accidously for Sen. Ohuabunwa during the last general elections where he defeated Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu to represent the good people of Abia North in the hallowed chambers of National Assembly.
In his acceptance speech, Etokebe thanked the Arochukwu Youth Forum for the honour while encouraging them to look inwards for embedded strength and use them positively for their careers and growth of the society.
He further admonished mammoth Aro youths who thronged the Aggrey Memorial Primary School, Ibom, venue of the occasion to eschew destructive tendencies and vices that will become a menace to the society.
Highly elated Eze Dr. Kanu Nwa Kanu, the Eze Ibom Isii of Arochukwu in a warm embrace with Etokebe resented him to guests and well-wishers alike, as a noble son of Arochukwu.
Speaking with the media at Dr. Iyke Kanu’s country home shortly after the occasion, one of the leaders of Aro youths, Papa Uwa said Etokebe is a man of the people, a man of integrity who is willing to do anything within his reach to see that Aro youths survive. “He knows our problem and always there to help assuage them, that’s why we follow him. Politically, whoever he wants us to follow is who we will vote for. For instance during the last election he urged us to vote en mass for Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa and he won so we are here today to ask him his stand politically for 2019”.
Other recipients of the merit award include Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Hon. Chinedu Orji (Ikuku Abia), Majority Leader, Abia State House of Assembly and Hon. Kalu Kames Kalu, Executive Chairman Arochukwu Local Government Area.