Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State on Media, Uche Anichukwu, has been conferred with an award of honour by the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, for what the church described as his outstanding service to his community, Nomeh Unataeze in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state.
The honour was bestowed on him at an Award Service on Sunday where the church also recognised a few other persons, including Elder Joseph Orji (Joebest), Elder Sunday Orji, Elder Nkemdirim Orji, and Pastor Chinedu Onovo, for contributions to community development and support for the gospel.
Bestowing the award on Anichukwu and others, the ECWA Bishop and Chairman of Enugu District Church Council, Rev. Chinedu Okechukwu, said the award service, which he said had both physical and spiritual meanings, was based on verifiable impact on the community and the church.
“It is set aside to recognise and celebrate some of our outstanding members, who have faithfully supported the church all these years. It is also a time to recognise those who have contributed greatly to the development of Nomeh community.
“This award ceremony has both physical and spiritual meanings. Physically, the award is to appreciate those who have been making outstanding contributions to the community and to the church of Jesus Christ. Spiritually, the award is to remind everyone that a day of reward is coming as we noted today in our bible reading,” he explained.
Speaking also, the resident priest of ECWA Church Nomeh, Pastor Friday Onole, commended the recipients for serving their community, urging others to emulate them. He extolled Anichukwu and other recipients for always prioritising their people, community, and the gospel.
In his acceptance speech, Anichukwu, who thanked ECWA Church for the honour, also paid glowing tributes to his late parents, Governor Peter Mbah, and former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, among others. Harping on the theme of grace, he described them as God’s instruments, as the award was made possible through their mentorship and intervention projects in Nomeh community.
“I commend ECWA Church for encouraging us to do more for our communities. I dedicate this award to my late father, Rabbi Gabriel Anichukwu, and my mother, the late Senior Mother-in-Israel, Josephine Anichukwu. As teachers, they helped to mentor me in service to the community. It is also dedicated to my immediate family, who always stands in the gap for me.
“I dedicate it to the performing governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah. He is doing the Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road, the Nomeh-Oduma Road. He is building a Smart Green School, Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centre, among others that are in the making. He has turned not just Nomeh but also the entire Enugu State into a huge construction site in line with his inclusive development model.
“I must also pay tribute to my former principal, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who heard my cry and the cry of my people and initiated the Nenwe-Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road with a spur to Oduma. That road got to Nomeh. Before his intervention, a journey to Nomeh was a thorough agony. Today, it is history.
“I needed to put these things in perspective because they all combined to magnify my modest personal contributions.
“Again, I can only urge Ndi Enugu to continue to fervently pray for our dear governor, and support him as he continues to translate his humongous vision for Enugu State into reality,” he stated.