President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to the Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi), on the occasion of his 85th birthday. In a statement released by the State House, the President described the revered traditional ruler as a distinguished figure whose life exemplifies leadership across traditional, corporate, and national spheres.
Tinubu praised Igwe Achebe as the foremost traditional ruler in the South-East and a symbol of unity, grace, and integrity. He highlighted the monarch’s remarkable journey, noting his pre-ascension career as a corporate leader and oil and gas expert who served with distinction in the boardrooms of major international companies.
Before ascending the throne of his forebears, Igwe Achebe served as a director in Shell Petroleum Company in Nigeria. He also held directorship positions in Shell companies across the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ghana, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, Liberia, and Angola, bringing extensive global expertise to his traditional role.
The President commended the Obi for his unwavering commitment to peace-building efforts, youth empowerment initiatives, and socio-economic development programmes within his domain and beyond. These contributions, according to Tinubu, have significantly uplifted communities and fostered progress in Anambra State and the wider South-East region.
Tinubu particularly lauded Igwe Achebe’s role in deepening national cohesion, describing him as a critical bridge between grassroots communities and government institutions. The President acknowledged the traditional ruler’s decades of service to the nation through corporate leadership, enterprise, and governance.
President Tinubu joined the royal family, the people of Onitsha, and Anambra State in wishing His Majesty many more years of good health and strength. He expressed confidence that Igwe Achebe would continue to provide wise leadership for his community, state, and the nation at large.
