By Chinedu Amede
Eighteen illustrious indigenes of Ossissa Clan in Ndokwa East Local Government Area have been honoured for their various contributions and commitment to the over all development of the clan.
Those hounoured include Chief Emmanuel Onyeuku (JP) , Dr. Kingsley Ashibogu (JP), Chief Ugo Nwokolo, High Chief Joseph Osakwe, High Chief Edward Oliseneku, High Chief J. E. Adibeli, Dr. Augustine Eziechine, Sir. Sylvester Okoh, DCP Nelson Nwamana and Her Lordship Hon. Justice Julia Dumebi Utulu. Others are Okwa Eustace Adinkeu, Chief Paul Igalawuye, Late Okpala Uku Patrick Osilonya, Late Pstr. Benson Ojoko, Engr. Iniokut Effiong, Mr. Henry Onyeukwu, Dr. Fergus Nwaedozie, and Hon. Vincent Osilonya.
Earlier during the ceremony of the 2nd edition of Ossissa Day celebration, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Emmanuel Onyeukwu in his opening remarks, acknowledged the the perfect arrangement of the ceremony by the planning committee and thanked God for keeping the people alive to witness it.
He noted further that those honoured merited the awards, calling on the indigenes, particularly the elite to always join hands in the struggle to develop the clan.
In a Welcome Address, the President General of Ossissa Improvement Union IPU Mr. Thomas Okocha said that the occasion was a celebration of Ossissa peoples Success, uniqueness, unity and Cultural Heritage, especially their origin and identity.
He recalled that before the recent times, Ossissa did not have the Calibre of proffessionals they have now in different fields of life endeavour, adding that a lot of modern infrastructural projects and human/capital development had also been attracted to the clan by the various indigenes honoured with awards.
Mr. Okocha disclosed that IPU has introduced several other improvement initiatives for the clan such as Mid-Year Conference, Sports Competitions, upkeep of widows and orphans, war against drugs trafficking and abuse, regular meetings with other Constituted authorities, paricularlly the Okpala-Ukus and Onotu-Ukus of the various communities, Market women and members of the vigilante groups in the clan. The high points of the ceremony were citations on the Awardees and displays by different cultural dance groups.
