Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Hon.( Mrs)Cecilia Ezeilo,on Tuesday , February 1, recieved a Fellowship award of the Nigeria Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) and dedicated the award to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the people of Enugu state.
Speaking after receiving the award at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, Hon. Ezeilo thanked the Institute for honouring her with the award.
She said ,”I am compelled to gasp for the appropriate words to fully express and register my gratitude and profound appreciation because, I have come to know that the Honorary Fellowship Award which I am getting today is the highest honour in the state house the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators , which is expressly reserved for confident on distinguished national leaders in Nigeria and International icons in Africa and the West African sub-region .”
She said her achievements which fetched her the award was made possible by the peaceful atmosphere in Enugu state.
“I must confess that I am highly elated when I was contacted by the institution and informed that I was being honoured in recognition of my modest commitment to promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms at the legislature and peaceful coorporation among the arms of government of Enugu state.
“I know that the awards of your institute do not come cheap, hence my deepest gratitude to you for considering me worthy for the conferment of this honorary fellowship award.
“I wish to crave your indulgence to point out that the personality of our Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his political experience and selfless approach to issues have been the driving factors responsible for palpable existence of peaceful coorporation, and unbroken understanding among the arms of government in Enugu state.
“I think it should be expected because both the Governor and his Deputy were opportuned to have years of experience in the legislature as members of parliament before being fortuitously entrusted with their present respective responsibilities and roles in the executive branch.
“So, with the Governor providing the leadership and the much desired example, the spirit of peaceful co-existence and cooperation among the arms of government in our state became a fait accomplished to which your award recipient( my humble self) became an active fellow travelers.
“This high level of inter-governmental cooperation has benefitted us so immensely in Enugu state, since it has led to a situation whereby precious resources or time are not dissipated in needlesss competition for supremacy or relevance. Our people are the ultimate beneficiaries”,she said.
Ezeilo commended NICArb for the wonderful role it has been playing in building the professional capacities of ADR mechanism administrators in Nigeria.
“I wish to conclude by thanking you for this award which I hereby dedicate to my principal, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the good people of Enugu State.
In her address, the chairman of the NICArb Enugu branch, Justina Offiah(SAN), said that the Deputy Governor, Ezeilo was honoured due to the virtue of her person in the society.
“We are here to honour one that richely deserved to be honoured, our deputy governor is someone that is given to peace making.
“Peace making is what Arbitration and ADR is all about. This award is not just by virtue of her job or office as deputy governor but her person in the society.
“The institute have to recognise and bring her into the fold of fellows of the institute and to be a fellow is a big position,”Offiah said.
Giving a history of the Institute, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer , Chief Shola Oshodi-John said the institute was founded in 1979, under the leadership of former Attorney-General of Nigeria and Judge of the World Court at the Hague, Judge Bola Ajibola.
The institute was duely incorporated in 1988 under the companies act as legal entity limited by Guarantee.
She said the mission of the institute is to promote and development of Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practice in Nigeria.
Oshodi-John said the institute has six categories of membership which includes, Qualified Mediator, Young Arbitrator/Student Member, Associates, Members and Fellows.
She noted that the institution trains and develops Arbitrators as well as promotes the use of Arbitration for dispute resolution.
Patron of NICArb and former chairman, Justice Mike Ajogwu,
Members of the state Executive Council, legislators and top government officials graced the occasion.
Others included the Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University Enugu ,Rev. Fr. Prof.Christian Aniekie, Dr. Ifeoma Nwafor ,Fellow of the Institute, among others.
Bibian Anekwe News added; ” As a leader it is your major responsibilities on your shoulder to practice the behavior you want others to follow”
CONGRATULATIONS TO HER EXCELLENCY THE FIRST FEMALE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF ENUGU STATE
HON. MRS . CECILIA. EZEILO
ENUGU STATE IS IN THE HANDS OF GOD .
