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Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide honours Metchie with ‘Best PG’ award
Photo caption:
Amb John Metchie (On black robe and red cap), his wife, Lolo Princess Linda Metchie and others at a recent traditional event
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, has honoured the African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), Ambassador John Metchie, with a prestigious award as the ‘Best President General’ (PG) for the year, 2023.
Metchie who is currently away in Germany with his wife Lolo Princess Linda Metchie attending a United Nations Programme on world peace, was elected the PG of Umueri Community in Anambra State in 2022 is also the Prime Minister, Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) as well as the Deputy Commander General (DCG) of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) in charge of Technical Service.
Presenting the award on Friday, the Chairman, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Anambra East Local Government Area chapter, Dr. Marcel Molokwu, said that Ambassador Metchie was chosen for the prestigious honour in recognition of his exceptional performance as PG of Umueri community, barely one year and few months in the office.
The award ceremony took place during the inauguration of new executive of the body at the secretariat of Anambra East Local Government Area,
Dr. Molokwu listed what he said were a few of the numerous achievements of the Umueri PG to include attracting state, national and international attention to the once sleeping community, provision of modern security architecture in Umueri and environs, construction of markets, roads, culverts and many other developmental strides in the area.
He stated that Metchie’s tenure as Umueri PG has recorded the most peaceful period in terms of relationship between the community and its neighnours including Aguleri and others, adding that he has used his wide contacts to attract a lot of projects from the administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the state Governor, especially the upgrading, renovation and equipping of Umueri General Hospital as well as the presence of international agencies including UNESCO and the Red Cross, particularly during the national flood disaster.
The Anambra East LGA Ohaneze chairman said the fact that traditional rulers from many towns across Anambra East and some from other parts of the State, were present to witness the award ceremony speaks volume of the respect Metchie attracts from far and near, adding that the Umueri PG has become a shining example and worthy of emulation.
Dr. Molokwu who sent a goodwill message to the President- General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, praised Chief Metchie for empowering women, youths, widows, orphans and other members of Umueri community, providing solar power to over 150 households through his Light-Up Umueri project as well as running an all-inclusive administration in the community.
Apart from Chief Metchie, other personalities that were honoured at the ceremony include Barrister C.J chinwuba who received Community Service Excellence Award and Lolo Mrs. Teresa Nkeonye Ahumaraeze awarded Exemplary Administrator of the year award.
Among the traditional rulers that attended the event which was chaired by Chief Obi Chukuemekalum are H.R.M Igwe Sir Benneth Emeka, the Oke -Ebo II of Umueri, HRM. Dr. Mike Indigo, Igwe Aguleri, Eze Udo 1, HRM, Igwe Lawrence Nwofia (Ochiagha) Igwe Eziagulu Otu Aguleri and HRM Igwe Sir GO Ekwealor Oba –Agu 11 of Umuoba Anam.
Although Ambassador John Metchie was not personally present to receive the award, his personal Secretary was on hand to do that.
Reacting to the gesture, Chief Metchie, in a statement Friday thanked Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide for honouring him, saying it was a challenge and motivation to work harder and do more for the people of Umueri, Anambra State and humanity at large.
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Breaking: NHRC, LEDAP begin consultative forum on eliminating harmful traditional, religious practices
By Bonaventure Phillips Melah
A consultative forum to seek ways of eliminating harmful traditional religious practices that impact rights of women and gender equality in Nigeria is set to begin in Abuja.
Organized by the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and the Legal Defence and Advocacy Project, LEDAP, the gathering is themed- “Empowering Traditional Rulers in Nigeria to Adopt and Implement Community Guidelines for Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination Against Women.”
Among dignitaries to speak at the event are Dr. Tony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Chino Obiagwu, SAN, National Coordinator, LEDAP and Prof. Joy Ezeilo, SAN, Executive Director, Women Aid Collective.
Details later…..
The Director General of AGRHYMET, Dr. Issoufou Baoua, led a high-level delegation to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as part of the Joint Mission on the operationalization of the Regional Climate Centre for West Africa and the Sahel (RCC-WAS).
He was accompanied by the WMO Representative for West, Central & North Africa, Dr. Bernard Gomez, and the ECOWAS Representative, Prof. Mansur Matazu.
The mission focused on advancing regional collaboration required to fully operationalize RCC-WAS — a key initiative designed to enhance climate services, strengthen resilience, and support informed decision-making across West Africa and the Sahel.
During the engagement, the AGRHYMET DG outlined the core objectives of the mission, which include strengthening institutional partnerships, aligning regional priorities, identifying capacity-building needs, and setting actionable milestones for the effective take-off of RCC-WAS.
Receiving the delegation, the Director General/CEO of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, reaffirmed NiMet’s commitment to the successful establishment of RCC-WAS. He emphasized that NiMet will provide technical expertise and tools — including MeteoWiz — participate in joint research efforts, and contribute to the development of advanced climate monitoring and forecasting capabilities for the region.
The visit marked a significant step forward in consolidating regional cooperation. Both institutions reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening climate services, and the meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the operationalization of the Regional Climate Centre for West Africa and the Sahel.
President Bola Tinubu has set up a high level committee to resolve issues on N4 trillion owed to federal contractors in the country.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the President also expressed displeasure over the huge debt.
He made the disclosure while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by the President at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the President was enraged after learning that about 2,000 contractors are owed.
Onanuga, who stood in for the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said: “He made it very, very clear he is not happy and wants a one-stop solution.
“An important highlight in the course of the FEC meeting is that the President expressed very, very grave displeasure about the fact that contractors are being owed money.
“The DG (Director-General) of the Bureau of Public Procurement actually told the President that about 2000 contractors are being owed money and this made the President very, very upset.
“So the ministers are going to look into the problem to really find a solution, to find the money to be used in paying the contractors.”
The presidential aide explained that the committee has as members, the Ministers of Finance (and Coordinating Minister of the Economy), Wale Edun; Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Works, Dave Umahi; Education, Olatunji Alausa; Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa; and Marine & Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, along with the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Kurfi; and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji.
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