Wike, Lulu-Briggs Bag Peoples Club’s Awards of Excellence

By Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
 

Peoples Club of Nigeria International has honoured Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and business mogul, High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs with awards of excellence.

Presenting the awards in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 40th anniversary of Port Harcourt branch of Peoples Club of Nigeria International, Chairman of the club, Ebere Owhonda, said stated that the club was a non-political association and that its awards were not for any political reasons but to promote diligence.

His words: “Peoples Club is an exclusive, elite social club of the most distinguished and eminent Nigerians who appreciate the good things of life.

“Port Harcourt branch is a very innovative, unique and reformed branch of Peoples Club. We are non-profit, non-political and non-partisan. Our mission is to offer our members comfortable environment where they will grow and prosper socially. Our affairs are devoid of occultism, politics, personal acrimony or animosity, ethnicity and racism.”

He said Wike was honoured with the Award of Excellence in Good Leadership because of the numerous people-oriented projects he has executed in the state.

“For the three years Governor Nyesom Wike has been in office as governor of Rivers State, we have seen an unprecedented number and quality of projects that we have not seen in any past administration in Rivers State. It is more remarkable that these projects are coming despite the harsh economic situation in the country.

“The award is to encourage the governor to do more for the people of Rivers State for that is the legacy we expect from any leader at this point of our development,” Owhonda said.

He also stated that Lulu-Briggs was honoured for his humanitarian services to the people through the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation especially the free eye care/medical outreach; Centre for Cardio/Parkinson Diseases and health facility he built at the University of Port Harcourt.

In his address, chairman of the occasion and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Hon. Onueze Okocha (SAN), said the Peoples Club had over the years maintained a dignity that most elite clubs in the country would find difficult to match.

 

He expressed satisfaction with the growth of the club and thanked the members for recognising and rewarding hard work in the persons of Wike, Lulu-Briggs and other pioneer members of the club.

 

In his response, Wike, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Chief Sylvanus Nwankwo, said he was motivated do more for the people because they deserved the best.

 

He assured that he remained focused and would deliver more people-oriented projects in the life of his administration.

 

He also congratulated Lulu-Briggs for the humanitarian services he had been rendering to the people.

 

“If all political and captains of industry will protect and work for the interest of the people instead of seeking who to pull down or destroy, this state will be a better place,” he said.

 

The club also honoured pioneer members of the club who had sustained their membership for the past 40 years. These included the Paramount Ruler of Elekahia, Eze Anthony Akarolo (Amangada of Rebisi XI) and Chief Sam Iwuchukwu (Aku Udo Nnewi).