Senator Osita Bonaventure Izunaso has been honored by the Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria in Lagos for his tireless efforts to unite and shape the future of Nigeria, recognising his unwavering dedication and remarkable achievements.
Speaking at the Vintano Hotel in Lekki on Saturday, June 8, a grateful Senator Izunaso delivered a heartfelt address, thanking the gathering for the honour bestowed upon him. He emphasised the vital need for unity among Nigerians, eloquently illustrating his point with lyrics from the new national anthem.
He said,” Today an Igbo man is being honoured, and a Yoruba man is the Chairman of the occasion. What does this tell you? It tells you that we are all one. What other connection do you want?”
“Anywhere you find yourself in Nigeria, that place should be your home, whether you find yourself in Sokoto, Kano, Onitsha, or in Awka, that place should be your home, because, we are saying now that, ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand’. And that is the importance of the whole thing we are talking about today, that this country is one, and we want to beqeaut to our children a country that has no stain.”
Senator Izunaso, had earlier in Owerri where he flew into Lagos from, generously gave 200 tertiary scholarship to Orlu students, his senatorial zone stating that his people must be well educated.
Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, the Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and other Financial Institutions, who presided over the gathering of the distinguished Senators’ Club of Nigeria, a shining example in the country’s legislative landscape, in his remarks, described Sen. Izunaso as a colleague and friend who he respects his knowledge base.
He said, “Senator Izunaso is one colleague that I respect so much, based on his knowledge, his standing in the country, and his understanding of the culture, particularly when you look at the new national anthem that has been raised.
”I found in him somebody with sense of cohesion, sense of unity, and somebody who understands Nigeria very well and who is interested in the development of the country. He is someone I can describe as a patriotic Nigerian”.
He thanked the club members for honoring his friend and colleague while expressing his likeness for their togetherness. “I like their sense of purpose and also the sense of community that they are trying to put together”.
He appealed to the President of the club to put an hold to the seal in accommodating new members, so that some other people can also be on boarded.
The Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria’s chairman, Chief Amb. Dr. Monday NC Akunana, had earlier stated in his welcome speech that the club is welcoming to both new and returning members and that they are united in their commitment to excellence, reminding the club of their core value which is integrity, service and unity, “These principles guide our actions and decisions, ensuring that we remain true to the responsibilities of looking after one another and our communities at large.”
He disclosed that the Eminent Senators Club was founded on October 17, 2022, during the height of the national election campaign, signalling the start of an illustrious voyage.
He added that the Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria is not a political party, but a social club with deep awareness and consciousness about the political space.
In his speech he said, “Today, we have a club which was convened by Sen. Izunaso’s visit but which now looks at the larger picture of integrating high calibre and successful men from all sectors of the Nigerian economy and professions to forge a social club with a flare of political awareness”.
”Our visions are not just to make great social outings but also to connect with the political corridors of power in order to promote and protect our businesses, Careers and to seek for participation as key players in the harnessing, processing and distribution of both the natural resources and the common wealth”.
“Core in our vision equally is to look after the wellbeing of our members but we are also committed to positively affecting the communities around us through corporate social responsibilities and charities” he said.
Chief Akunna noted that the future of the club looks very bright and that with the support of their spouses the sky is just the beginning point.
He thereafter announce that the club is making plans to hold it’s AGM next year outside the shores of the country.
Chief Akunna however hinted that next year entrance into the club may be difficult, as the club will raise the entrance bar.
“As the club grows, entrance requirement into the club will become more difficult, so I urge any guest here who is successful in his field of endeavour, who is of good character and who will like to join the club to take advantage of being here today hearing my voice now to approach any member of the executive council of the club to obtain relevant information. Immediately after this programme, the entrance bar into the club will be raised” he concluded.
A core founder of the Club, HRM, Igwe Kingsley Chukwuma, Eze ndi Igbo of India, who spoke to Journalists said, the club is going to be a large one because they have a prospective future that will help the community and environs.
According to him, “Our motive is to give every support that will make our nation to be on equal stability and today men of different calibres have joined the club, with this our mission, it will be achieved.”
“We are on a mission to encourage everyone to understand that we are all one Nigeria and that we need to establish where we come from, to support our own corridor of politics, the Eastern part of Nigeria and I believe we will achieve this,” he added.
He appreciated the honour given to senator Izunaso, saying, it is a well deserve one.
Also, founding member of the club and member of trustees, Prince Nixon Okpara, said the club transcends beyond Igbos, noting that the club is trying to establish the fact that Igbos are united.
He added that it is not an Igbo club, emphasizing that two serving Senators are in on ground for the occasion and one former Senator in the person of senator Musliu Obanikoro.
Okpara also informed the press that the club is about to engage in a kind of Corporate Social Responsibility and Charities.
“This is a platform for all of us to collectively give back to the people, that is part of our vision.”
“We are leveraging on the platform to possibly empower in terms of education, skills acquisition and other forms,” he said.
Chief Afam Chukwuma the secretary of Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria and also a founding member while speaking to the press, said that the Club has been doing all it can to bring prominent people from all works of life with like minds together to see how it can sharpen especially the business aspects of Nigeria for the benefit of all.
He added that as just like the theme of the event, “Nigeria Business Opportunities and The Capital Market: Reality Of Factors Militating Against The Ideal Intention,” the socio-political club is interested in supporting the government because according to him, “There is no way one can be a successful business man at a high level without having a relationship with the government.
Chukwuma, advised all members to understand that after God it is the Government, as he urged them to create a closer relationship. “We need to be close to them in order to have access to information, and also, know people to call when things are not favouring our businesses,” he said.
Also in attendance was Chief. Engr. Joe Igbokwe, Musiliu Obanikoro, Mr. Emomotimi John Agama, amidst others who graced the occasion with their presence.
There were also a presentation of certificate of recognition to the Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria by Senator Abiru and the Induction of new members at the event.
