Igbodo community in Ika North East local government area of Delta State, South South Nigeria, was at the weekend agog with celebration as one of its illustrious sons, Chief (Dr) Obiajulu Sunday “Sunny“ Uzuh was installed a Patron of the People’s Club of Nigeria International, PCNI.
The event which took place at the palatial Country Home of Chief Uzuh at Ndobu quarters, Igbodo, was attended by dignitaries from across the continent, including serving and former political office holders, captains of industries, business moguls, traditional rulers and opinion leaders as well as representatives of some international organizations and clubs.
The Patronship installation, according to the Governing Council of PCNI, was in recognition of the immense contribution of Chief Sunday Uzuh, a USA based socialite, medical practitioner, philanthropist and all time jolly good fellow, to humanity and the development of the club.
Speaking before installing the new Patron, Chairman, Governing Council of PCNI and Patron Trustee, HRM, Igwe L. O. Arinze, said the installation was the climax of the astronomical rise of Chief Uzuh to the peak of the leadership cadre of PCNI.
Igwe Arinze, said Chief Sunny Uzuh had contributed greatly to the growth of PCNI, describing him as an able, dynamic, energetic and performing executive founder, PCNI Corpus Christi branch, Texas, USA.
He pointed out that Sunny Uzuh was also a Chairman Emeritus, National Committee Chairman on Headquarters Needs Assessment and Analysis; Co-Chairman, LCG Adhoc Committee on LCG Issues and Solutions and International Secretary, Diaspora Central Coordinating Committee.
Igwe Arinze who later presented a Staff of Office to Chief Uzuh, explained that the staff symbolized the high respect commanded by the Peoples’ Club of Nigeria International.
In his remarks on the occasion, the National/International President of the Club, Barr Fidelis Onyebueke, said the Patronship of PCNI had a very tall criteria going with it, which Chief Sunny Uzuh satisfactorily met.
He congratulated Chief Uzuh on his installation as a patron, stressing that his entrance into the college of Patrons in PCNI will further promote the core mandates of the club that has branches in several parts of the globe.
The elated Chief Uzuh, flanked by his wife, Chief (Mrs) Rosemary Akunnia Uzuh and children, expressed gratitude to God for grace upon grace and promised never to lose focus in services to God and humanity.
Chief Uzuh said being a Patron of such a club with a global connection meant a lot to him, assuring that he would continue to uphold the virtues that earned him the honour.
He said, “By the special grace of God, I joyfully and prayerfully accept the post of PCNI worldwide Patron with all the duties and responsibilities it entails. I also pledge to defend and uphold the ideals of our founding fathers.
“Today is a very special day to me and membership of our great club. This Patronship conferment in Uzuh compound, Ndobu quarters, Igbodo, is the first of such in recent years across the Niger bridge. This is huge.
“I must appreciate all that made it possible, including founding executive and entire membership of PCNI Corpus Christi Texas USA branch and my wife, our first lady emeritus, Chief Mrs Rosemary Akunnia Uzuh.
Traditional rulers of Obior, Umunede and Akumazi kingdoms in Aniocha North and Ika North East, and some amiable sons of Igbodo, including, Archbishop designate, Dr Isaac Obuseh; Apostle Herbert Richards and Barr Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN, described Chief Sunny Uzuh as a patriotic Nigerian and an illustrious son of Igbodo community, who had impacted significantly on the lives of many.
The respondents congratulated him on the patronship conferment, even as they commended PCNI for the recognition accorded Chief Uzuh whom they said has been tested and trusted, having held several sensitive positions in the organization in the past.
The renowned administrator and global personality, is the holds Isichitumugo 1 of Igbodo kingdom and Ugochitumem 1 of Obior kingdom, and has to his credit a good number of foundations geared towards uplifting standard of lives in the society, particularly the less privileged ones.