Chief Emeka Anyaoku’s 91st Birthday: A Celebration of Legacy and Learning
The 91st birthday anniversary of esteemed leader, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, was recently celebrated in Obosi, Anambra State. This event marked a significant milestone as it was the third time this writer had the privilege to attend Chief Anyaoku’s birthday celebrations, with fond memories of his 80th birthday at the Commonwealth Headquarters in London. The day was further embellished by the commissioning of the Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku Foundation Centre, a beacon for educational development and a gateway to knowledge for the community.
Prominent Figures Honor Chief Anyaoku
Adding gravitas to the event were notable figures such as Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and a presidential candidate. Obi lauded Chief Anyaoku as a quintessential diplomat and a shining representative of Nigeria on the global stage. He underscored the importance of education and learning, qualities that Chief Anyaoku has consistently championed in his advocacy for peace, unity, and good governance.
Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku Foundation Centre: A Vision Realized
The Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku Foundation Centre, housing a library, museum, and other facilities, is the embodiment of Chief Anyaoku and his wife’s dream to nurture education, culture, and philanthropy. The establishment of this center in Obosi, Anambra State, signifies their enduring commitment to fostering a love for reading and learning within the community. The center’s offerings, designed to promote literacy and environmental awareness, include a museum, library, archives, cultural displays, and exhibitions.
Appreciating Heroes and Building Human Capital
Speaking as the special guest, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State emphasized the importance of celebrating heroes whilst they are still with us. He lauded Chief Anyaoku’s impactful life, dedicated to public service and humanity, and highlighted the need for more appreciation of intellect in the region. Applauding the creation of the center as a hub for learning and cultural preservation, he underscored his administration’s focus on improving human capital through initiatives like free education, healthcare, and support for the less privileged.
The Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku Foundation Centre not only preserves Chief Anyaoku’s legacy but also contributes to the educational and cultural progression of Anambra State. The center promises to inspire intellectual curiosity and community engagement in future generations. Governor Soludo pledged to support the sustainability of the center through an endowment fund, calling upon affluent individuals in the state to invest in community development.
Chief Anyaoku expressed gratitude for his 91 years and acknowledged the center’s role in fulfilling a shared dream with his wife to promote education and learning within the community. He underscored the importance of managing diversity in a pluralistic country like Nigeria and expressed hope that the center would serve as a hub of collaboration with universities, schools, and institutes to foster studies in various areas.
The event was not short of dignitaries, including former Governor Peter Obi, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Chief of Protocol, and traditional rulers. The celebration also received recognition and praise from notable figures, including the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Kingsley Moghalu, and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, who felicitated Chief Anyaoku on his 91st birthday and acknowledged his remarkable contributions.
