By Tony Adibe
The Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has assured that his administration will continue to tap from the experience, wisdom, and counsel of traditional rulers to sustain the peace and progress of Enugu State.
“Experience and wisdom of traditional rulers are imperative to sustain the much-desired economic growth and progress of Enugu State,” Mbah said on Sunday evening in Enugu at the launch of a book – “In The Line of Duty”.
The book launch was attended by dignitaries such as Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha; Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (rtd), former Military Governor of Old Anambra and Old Imo States as-well-as former Chief of Naval Staff and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo represented by Chief Gary Igariwey, former President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Chief Loretta Aniagolu, Chairman of Fitconsult.
Others were Chief Eric Nwobi, Oke-Ide Igbo-Ukwu; Chief Festus Oshiaba, MD Ferotex; Chief Everest Nnaji, CEO of Odengene Air Shuttle Services Limited; Ide Ikeje Asogwa, CEO of Intasog Limited and Chief Dr Vitalis Ozo Nweke, CEO of Andy Young Aluminum Company Limited.
The rest included Prof Umaru Pate, Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State; Prof. Alloysius Okolie, Vice-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); Prof Innocent Chidobem, Former Vice-Chancellor of ESUT and members of the Knight of St. Mulumba.
Addressing the gathering, the governor, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Okey Ogbodo, said that the government always draws inspiration from intellectual work done by revered traditional rulers who are vast in life.
“It is a great book that I strongly recommend for our children to learn the act of leadership and diplomacy that bring people together and galvanize people to progress.
“As a government, we will continue to accord the traditional institution respect and a pride of place even as they contribute in no small measure to the attainment of Enugu State of our dreams,” he said.
Governor Mbah lauded the Chairman, South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and author of the book – “In The Line Of Duty” – Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, for his wisdom and courage to put something down for posterity.
Earlier, Gen. Chris Garuba (retired), former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, called on Nigerians to sustain the existing peace and relationship that holds the country together.
“We should teach and impress on our children and subjects that unity and peace built on good relationships are all we need to build a progressive nation that works for everybody,” Garuba said. The book reviewer, the former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said that the book was a 13-Chapter thought-provoking and knowledge enriching masterpiece.
According to Nebo, this book is a compendium of various thought provoking and solution-driven speeches and addresses presented by Igwe Agubuzu in various fora of national, regional, and state discourse on challenging and emerging nationhood and societal issues.
He also recommended the book for all ages and a must read for those in leadership positions and those aspiring to be one as it is rich in practical experiences, wisdom, and positive mindset for action to solve challenging leadership issues.
Speaking on what motivated him to author the book, Igwe Agubuzu, who is also the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, said that he desired to keep records for posterity and share inestimable experiences.
“I have been working as a traditional ruler in various capacities since I retired from the Foreign Service and in the course of these works, I have made some speeches and addresses.
“And I thought some of them contain some views of mine, recommendations of mine that I think will be useful to the government and up-coming generation,” Agubuzu, who is the Eze Ogbunechendo and traditional ruler of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Enugu State, said.
