Bro. Felix Obuah Celebrates Birthday
In Grand Style
…Raises
Foundation In Memory Of Late Dad
The posh Obi Wali
International Conference Center, Port Harcourt was stretched beyond capacity as
people from all walks of life gathered on Saturday, December 16, 2017, to
celebrate with the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Bro. Felix Amechi Obuah on his birthday which was also used to unveil two
books.
The titles which
were authored by four academic doctors are: 'The Man Felix Amechi Obuah' and
'Life and Times of Elder Bethel Chukujindu Obuah 1931-2016'.
To underscore the
significance of the event, Bro. Obuah had the honour to receive as one of his
guests, the celebrated Imo State Commissioner for Happiness and Purpose
Fulfillment, Mrs. Ogechi Ololo albeit on representative capacity. Little wonder, it was no coincidence, as
Obuah's first name, Felix, means Happiness!
It was an
assemblage of the movers and shakers of the PDP in the State, friends,
relatives, well wishers and PDP Chairmen from the 36 State Chapters of the
Party including Abuja, the nation's capital.
From across the
country, the low, high and mighty emptied into the Conference Center to rejoice
with a man whose knack for philanthropy, has arguably been adjudged
unparalleled.
Chaired by Senator
Osinachukwu Ideozu, the occasion had Governor Nyesom Wike who was represented
by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo as Special Guest; former Governors
Peter Odili and Sir Celestine Omehia; with the Speaker of the Rivers State
House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Ibani and his deputy, Hon. Marshall Uwom
leading the State lawmakers.
Also present were
present and former Caretaker Committee Chairmen from all 23 Local Government
Areas of the State as well as former Local Government Chairmen.
Not left out of
the epochal event were federal lawmakers from the State. They include Hon. Betty Apiafi, Hon. Boma
Goodhead, Hon. Jerome Eke, Hon. Okechukwu Chinda and Hon. Uche Nnam-Obi.
The list of
dignitaries also include Secretary to the Government, Hon. Kenneth Kobani,
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Chinwe Aguma, SAN;
Information Commissioner, Emma Okah; Environment Commissioner, Professor
Roselyn Konya; Water Resources, Professor Kaniye Ebeku; Culture and Tourism,
Tonye Oniyide among others.
Sole Administrator
of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba
was also there even as a retinue of Governor Wike's Special Advisers and
traditional rulers led by the King of Opobo and Chairman, Rivers State Council
of Traditional Rulers, HRM, King Dandeson Jaja JP, Jeki V, also registered
their esteemed presence.
Others who graced
the occasion were Engr. (Dr) Chukwudi Dimkpa, Ag. Managing Director of the
Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency (RISAA); Professor Okey Onuchuku,
Chairman of the Board of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement; Rev.
Monsignor Pius Kii of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA); Rivers CAN
Chairman, Apostle David Zilley-Aggrey; Senator Lee Maeba; former Sports
Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo; former Transport Minister, Dr. Abiye Sekibo;
Senator Olaka Nwogu, Chief Ofili Enebeli and the President of Port Harcourt
Chamber of Commerce, Dr Emi Membere Otaji.
Speaking at the
event which was spiced with artistic performances by some of the finest names
in the entertainment industry, the celebrant, Bro. Obuah who is also the
President/Sole Sponsor of Go Round FC of Omoku, said the birthday party was a
commemoration of the goodness and mercies of the Lord towards him, pledging to
continue in celebration as long as he lived.
Bro. Obuah, who
spoke amid thunderous chant of 'Mbanabaragu' from the audience, said that
celebrating one's birthday is an expression of thanksgiving to God for His
guidance, protection and provisions.
With intermittent
shouts of 'Go Round' from the joyous crowd, Obuah told the packed audience that
dedicating birthday celebration unto God was like sowing a seed to Him, noting
that the resultant effect would be 'double, triple, quadruple and endless
celebrations from God'.
“I want to say
that as long as I live, and God grants me life, I must celebrate”, he declared.
Amid wild ovation from the crowd, he went on, “Whoever that is annoyed that I
am celebrating should continue to get annoyed because greater celebrations are
on the way”.
Bro. Obuah, who is
also the Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA),
said he was surprised at the large turnout of guests as according to him; the
occasion was intended to be a low-keyed event.
He expressed
gratitude to the authors of the books for a job well done, saying he had
earlier objected to suggestions from friends to celebrate his birthday for this
year, but that the respected academics who authored the biographies said they
would use the occasion of his birthday to unveil the books to the public.
“Even when I
appealed to the authors that the books should be given to me with a promise to
pay for their efforts, they argued that the books were not just for me alone
but for the benefit of the public.
“The four academic
doctors who authored the books chorused that they would want to eulogize me
when I am alive, hence the need to do an open unveiling ceremony”, Bro. Obuah
told the crowd.
In a brief
citation on the celebrant, the Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on
Political Matters, Chief (Barr) Shadrack Akolokwu described Obuah as a man of
great honour who combined the virtues of kindness and generosity.
“His name, Felix
means 'happiness' and that is why he takes pleasure in injecting happiness into
everyone who comes his way”, Akolokwu stated, adding that that apparently
explained the presence at the occasion of a representative of the celebrated
Imo State Commissioner for Happiness….
He noted that the
celebrant as a student at the then Rivers State College of Education in 1989,
emerged the best graduating student in Education, adding that that trait of
excellence had marked him as what he called unrepentant promoter of hard work
and excellence.
“He is a
pacesetter, a political navigator and the man who stabilized the Rivers PDP”,
he eulogized Bro. Obuah, adding that his records as ONELGA Chairman remained
unparalleled.
Earlier in his
address, Rivers State Governor, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike represented by
his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo applauded Bro. Obuah for living a life
worthy of emulation, adding that that attribute explained his dogged quest to
lead the State PDP to the path of rectitude.
“We are here
celebrating a man who is so humble and yet so great. He is zero tolerant when
it comes to performance and that is why RIWAMA under his watch has improved
sanitation in the State”, she declared, adding that Obuah had introduced many
innovations in waste management to return the State to its original Garden City
status.
The Deputy
Governor congratulated the celebrant on the book and also commended the authors
for what she described as a well researched work which has taken a step further
in promotion of the cultures of Ogba people.
She also promised
that government would institute a foundation in memory of the late Pa Bethel
Chukwujindu Obuah who excelled in commerce and industry during his life time.
Bro. Obuah was
during the event presented with a plaque and certificate by the Rivers State
branch of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). The award, according to the State Chairman of
the body, was for his emergence as Outstanding Sports Promoter of the Year
following the exploit of Go Round FC in the soccer scene which culminated to
its promotion into the elite professional league.
The event which
was laden with cultural and musical performances attracted the like of Sky B,
Lilly Tavez, Kessy Driz, Happiness Cultural Group, Aba Mass Choir, Body
Language, African Vocals, Enugu, Church of God (7th day) Choir, Omoku and the
host, Church of God (7th day) Choir, Port Harcourt.
Signed:
Jerry Needam
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity
To The State PDP Chairman,
Bro. Felix Obuah
