By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
On a note of nostalgia, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, took a perspective look at his life, praising God for the favours bestowed on him, on his 91st birthday.
Looking back on his sojourn on the planet Earth, he spoke on the challenges of waiting to launch a foundation with his wife, Olubunmi, which was the platform of activities yesterday.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku Foundation Centre, as part of activities to mark his 91st birthday held at Obosi, in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, the retired world-class diplomat said’, “At 80 years, you are considered to have entered the departure lounge. Your relatives can only pray that your flight is delayed well enough, but I’m fortunate to have made 90 and today 91 years.”
He added, “At 91, I have been able to retain all my faculties. They say it is as sharp as a sword, but I’m not so sure.”
READ ALSO:Supreme Council for Sharia to Tinubu: Expedite action to cushion effects of your hard economic decisions
*Nigeria should manage its diversity for peaceful coexistence
Speaking on the state of the nation, Anyaoku maintained that Nigeria’s unity depends solely on her ability to effectively manage the various ethnic nationalities that make up her diversity.
According to him, “The commissioning of this centre is the fulfilment of a dream which I and my wife have had for a long time.
“We have always wanted to support education, and by opening this library and museum, we hope that it will help both the old and young to acquire reading culture. The attributes of Nigerians that worry me is the absence of reading culture.”
“My wife and I have also wished to have a museum, a place where visitors can come and learn about the memorabilia that we have collected from across the Commonwealth of Nations of 54 countries located in the major continents of the world.
“Also, to parade artefacts from our country, Nigeria; a pluralistic country that only became one as recently as 1914. Before then, the place called Nigeria existed in different tribal groups that lived their own lives in different parts of the country.’’
He added, “I believe that one of the major issues that this centre will be promoting the study of, is the management of diversity in a pluralistic country.’’
On international affairs, Anyaoku went down memory lane, stressing, “Some countries have succeeded in managing their pluralistic nature.
‘’Switzerland, for example, is a country of four major ethnic groups, Canada, with two major ethnic groups, and India, with seven ethnic groups.
‘’These countries have succeeded because they have deliberately addressed the challenges of how to manage diversity in their country.”
“But some pluralistic countries that were not able to manage their diversity have failed. Like Yugoslavia, which ended up breaking into eight states. Take Chekoslovakia, a country of two major ethnic groups, the Slovaks and the Czechs, but they could not manage their diversity, so they peacefully decided to part.’’
On the activities of the centre, the ex-Commonwealth chief stated, “I hope that this centre will be a hub of collaboration with universities, schools, and institutes to promote studies in various areas, and it has enough materials to help leaders address the challenges posed by our diversity,”
As to the reason for siting the centre in Obosi, and how it was funded, Anyaoku said, “If you say why Obosi? My answer is that it is my attachment to my birthplace.
‘’I have seen Obosi in the last 90 years develop from a place of main farmers to a place that produced successful civil servants, executives, and many others.
He further explained that *All my savings and gratuity of 34 years at the Commonwealth were ploughed into this foundation. We are hoping that in the future, the foundation will have funds to sustain this foundation and also the activities of the foundation.”
In his speech, state Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, who was also at the event, praised Anyaoku for giving back to society, saying that he remains a man who is worthy of emulation.
Also, former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, who presented a birthday gift to the celebrant on behalf of Obosi titled chiefs, said the people are proud of Anyaoku, adding that he is everything Obosi looks forward to.
Other dignitaries at the event former governor of Anambra State, and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, and several eminent personalities who thronged the area.
*Ohanaeze pours encomiums
Meanwhile, Igbo apex organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has Anyaoku as he clocks 91 years.
It said that Anyaoku has remained a veritable source of inspiration to the younger generation.
National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, in a congratulatory message yesterday, noted that the celebrant has displayed an exceptional inter-ethnic wizardry, marital exemplariness, prudent negotiator, global renowned, oratorical skills, and unassailable friendly finesse.
He said Ohanaeze, “felicitates a remarkable Igbo quintessence, moral edifice, global icon, an extraordinary diplomat and prudent negotiator, astute harmonizer of diverse cultural and political interests, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Member, Presidential Advisory Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; former Secretary –General of the Commonwealth and Nigerian Permanent Representative in the United Nations, His Excellency Chief Emeka Anyaoku.”
