CORNUCOPIA :Anambra ICONS by Engr Uchechukwu Elugu: A must buy by Nigerians by Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

But for the 2017 political jingoism Governor Willie Obiano fell for, he was expectedly to be happy and supportive of a young man, Engr. Uchechukwu Elugu, Publisher of Anambra ICONS but he failed and even his aides went overboard to kill the fly with sledgehammer. The Governor did not attend the presentation of the over 320 pages heritage book for Ndi-Anambra, even when he was briefed extensively at least the night before as witnessed by Cornucopia.
Obiano sent no representatives, no words of encouragement, no apologies even when his so called ‘’Willie is Working’’ in Anambra state took two pages proclaiming the activities of working Willie. On a further probe, the state paid no dim for the adverts even when it agreed on the advert rates. The government went ahead to announce allegedly that government has no hands on the ICONS presentation discouraging thousands of people from attending. With C. Don Adinuba and Prof Azike in the mediation one anticipated, Obiano will show but alas, he snubbed the eminent Anambra people at the presentation.
That was a sad reminder to Cornucopia that Obiano’s government is still owing The Authority over N3 Million naira advert done on good faith but now in the company’s agony thinking Authority would take them to the cleaners but Authority is patiently waiting for its advert money. They have refused to do any business with Authority, owned by an Anambra man, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah simply because he showed interest to contest 2017 Governorship election forgetting millions the same man spent on the projects of CAFÉ owned by Obiano’s wife etc. The irony is that the government yet expects the best of publications even when they entered into business deals with other newspapers.
Anambra ICONS by Elugu which was in the oven for two and half years (2 ½ ) years before it was finally presented at Prof Dora Akunyili Women’s Development center is a must read and a must buy keeps even if the cover prize is N20,000 by every Anambra man if not by every Igbo man because the book indeed celebrated Excellence.
Anambra ICONS did not stop at celebrating extra ordinary Anambra people who have achieved greatness through resilience, hard work, character, endurance, honesty and accountability but it stimulated , challenged and encouraged so many youths to aspire to be ICONS positively in the next editions of the book.
Obiano wasn’t there but an iconic man and Nigeria’s foremost economist, Pat Utomi was there life expecting to see Obiano but was disappointed. Pat sued for Promotion of African Heritage and urged Nigerians to live a life of creativity, commending Elugu for packaging iconic citizens of Anambra even as he encouraged iconic lifestyle among Nigerians.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Simon Okeke , former Police Service Commission Boss said the drive behind the Anambra Icon Initiative is not borne out of the need to showcase some ill-gotten wealth and was not motivated by money but for historical purposes and hunting of talents which abound in the state.
He lamented the degeneration of core values of Ndigbo and called on true lovers of Ndigbo to rise to the occasion, encouraging back to ancestral code of conduct and shunning of primitive acquisition, ostentatious life style among other atrocious acts found in Igbo land now.
Dame Virgy Etiaba was happy the book was a historical material good for Secondary and Tertiary Institutions while Legal practitioners, Ben Nwafor SAN, Emeka Ngige SAN, applauded the positive move though not exhaustive of ICONS in Anambra.
Governor Obiano should ask for 1,000 copies of the Anambra ICONS as a remedy to share to state schools as Library materials since he did not present it to the public. Again all those shortlisted as ICONS should buy copies for schools in the state and Libraries around the nation. It will be a cherished book to present to people as gifts and souvenirs.
The editorial advisers of the publication Igwe Gibson Nwosu, Prof. Pita Ejiofor, Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, Prof. C.C. Anene, Chief S.N. Okeke, C. Don Adinuba and Mrs Ifeyinwa Anazonwu should add their voice to get more Anambra people partner Elugu and his Business Development strategist and consultant, Mr Onyinye Umejiburu actualize making more ICONS in Anambra by availing the book to every family. Should need be Uchechukwu Elugu, an entrepreneur and researcher could be called for further verification on Anambra ICONS on 07031657921.
Anambra, which prides itself as “The Light of the Nation” currently has no fewer than 1,500 billionaires. It has the lowest poverty rate in Nigeria with a Gross Domestic Product of $11.83 billion. The state’s per capita income currently stands at $1,615, according to official records. The publication, known as “Icons of Anambra State,” lists living and dead legends like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, cited as the most famous pan-Africanist of the 20th century and Dr Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s second republic vice-president.
The iconic compendium traces the engaging life and times of some great Nigerians of Anambra extraction, who showed the light so that Africa could find its way.

Odogwu Emeka Odogwu is a writer, journalist, Editor, social crusader and commentator. He could be reached on 08060750240 and  e mail [email protected]