Covid-19: Council Honors Obi of Onitsha, ACP

For their contributions in the fight against coronavirus in Onitsha, Anambra state, the Onitsha Local Government Area of Anambra State has honoured the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, and Onitsha Police Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vincent John Obuagbaka.

Igwe Achebe was honoured for his proactive efforts in mobilising ambassadors for sensitization of residents about the disease in Onitsha, while ACP Obuagbaka was given an award as Ambassador for manning the River Niger Bridge, the border between Anambra and Delta states.

While Obuagbaka got his award at the council headquarters, the Igwe’s award plaque was presented to him at his palace along Awka Road, Onitsha.

Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government Area, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, said awards to Igwe Achebe and Obuagbaka were in recognition of their contributions in the fight against the COVID-19 in the area.

He said Igwe Achebe initiated sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns in Onitsha community through which information on the virus and education about its adverse effect and method of spread was given to the people of the community.

Agha Mba said the tradition ruler also organised palliatives and relief items and drew beneficiaries from the comprehensive database of indigenes and non-indigenes.

“Igwe Achebe engaged a team of doctors working in collaboration with the State government to train volunteers as well being ambassadors, who moved from house to house to create awareness of the dangers of Coronavirus, sensitise the people and appeal to them to observe all prescribed protocols,” he said.

“Also, ACP Obuagbaka applies rapid response to all issues of security in Onitsha. And in this COVID-19 era, he displays diligence, commitment and dedication in handling COVID-19 related issues, presenting himself as an outstanding senior security officer of repute.

“He deploys a personal, passionate, responsive approach in his duty at the Onitsha Niger Bridgehead state border, which has greatly helped in checking abuses against the disease. Also criminal activities by hoodlums and miscreants have been drastically reduced in Onitsha metropolis,” Agha Mba said.

He commended Governor Willie Obiano in his fight against COVID-19, saying the governor had set up an emergency sensitisation and response teams in all the wards in the state to reach the grassroots.

In his remarks after receiving the award, Igwe Achebe warned residents of the commercial city against non-compliance to coronavirus preventive measures to curtail the spread of the disease in the area.