Nigeria’s Unity Reverberates As Eminent Senators Club,Honour Senator Izunaso

Nigeria’s Unity Reverberates As Eminent Senators Club,Honour Senator Izunaso
….. democracy has brought leaders to the people – Senator Abiru
………there is no disconnect between the rulers and the ruled- Senator Izunaso

L-R Senator Mukail Adetokunbo Abiru, chairman House committee on Banking,Insurance and other financial Institutions, chairman,Eminent Senators Club,Chief Monday Akunna,and the celebrant,Senator Osita Izunaso, Banquet in Honour of Senator Izunaso by Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria,on Saturday,8 June,2024

By Frank Odinukaeze

It was a gathering of great men and women who have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavour .
The setting was the towering Vintano Hotels,located in Lekki phase 1,and the event was a banquet organised by Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria in honour of a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,Senator Dr. Osita Bonaventure Izunaso,(papando) of Igbo land.

The massively decorated hall was filled to its capacity,with eminent personalities: business men and women,technocrats, captains of industry,and politicians .It was a lovely collection of creme de la creme of Nigeria business space,yet an eloquent testimony of Nigeria ‘s unity and togetherness.

Speaking at the auspicious occasion,Senator Izunaso who flew into Lagos from Abuja after attending ceremonies in Owerri ,where he generously gave 200 tertiary scholarship to Orlu students,his senatorial zone , espoused the unity of the country,and noted that there is need to uphold the unity of the country.
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.”

Senator Izunaso opined that there is no disconnection between the ruler and the ruled, stressing that Nigeria’s unity and oneness is pivotal to the growth and sustainability of the nation
His words,”Anywhere you find yourself in Nigeria,that place should be your home .Whether you find yourself on Sokoto,Kano,in Onitsha ,or in Awka ,that should be your home,because we are saying now that ,” Though tribe and tongue may differ ,in brotherhood we stand”.That is what we are saying now .And that is the import 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.”

In an interview with the media,a humble and amiable Senate Committee Chairman on Banking, Insurance,and other Financial Institutions,Senator,and Chairman of the event,Mukail Adetokunbo Abiru,representing Lagos East Senatorial Zone ,sad he came to honour his friend and colleague at the National Assembly, Senator Osita Izunaso,who is being celebrated today by Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria.
He said Senator Izunaso is one of his colleagues he respects 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.Someone who is patriotic I describe him as a patriotic Nigerian,someone I have high respect for”.Senator Abiru said.

He expressed gratitude to the Club for honouring his friend and colleague.
Speaking on unity in the Club , Senator Abiru who is impressed with what he had seen of the club remarked,” I like their sense of togetherness,,I like their sense of purpose,I lile the sense of community that they are trying to bring together” .

He said democracy has actually tried to bring leadership to the people.He said he disagrees that there is a yawning gap between the leaders and the people , adding that ,” We should not forget where we are coming from”he said.
On whether democracy has been rewarding to Nigeria and

Nigerians,Senator Abiru said,” Yes ,we have spent 25 years on democracy,but I think that what it has done ,whether we like it or not just like the way this gathering has brought us back to our constituency ,one way or the other,.So what you are seeing here is a reflection of what democracy is trying to do- bringing the government closer to the people.You have to understand their needs and value, because you represent them ,and you can’t represent when you don’t have a good understanding of their value and needs” he said.
Earlier,the chairman of the Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria,Chief Amb.Dr.Monday NC Akunana,in his welcome address affirmed that the club stand united in purpose and shared commitment to excellence,adding that both new and old members are welcome to the event.

He informed that the Eminent Senators Club was established on the 17th of October, 2022 at the peak of the national election campaign and thus marking the beginning of a noble journey.
“It was on this day that distinguished Senator Osita Bonaventure Izunaso, visited my residence in Greenfield Estate to seek support in various capacities. I invited many of my friends to come welcome him. His visions and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the ethos of this country as evidenced in his subsequent victory. He has fostered a community of leaders committed to public service, collaboration, and excellence.

“Today, we have a club which was convened by his 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. ” he said
He said the Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria is not a political party,but a social club but with deep awareness and consciousness about the political space.

” 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 with the support of their wives the sky is just the beginning point.He said the club is making plans to hold it’s AGM next year outside the shores of the country.
Chief Akunna however hinted that by next year entrance into the club may be difficult ,asth 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 stated.

Also speaking in an interview ,the Secretary of the club ,chief Afam Chukwuma,said the club was established not purely as a social club but as a socio political club that not only ensures the protection of their businesses , but also contributes to the political process of the country
Chief Afam Chukwuma,who is also one of the founding members of the club, stated that the club is doing its best to bring prominent people from all walks of life to see how we can further shape the and expand the business aspect of Nigeria,and how it can benefit us.
He said the themes of the program: “Nigeria Business opportunities And the Capital Market;Reality of Factors Militating Against the Ideal Intentions” was specifically to look into the capital Market ,and ways we can benefit from the market.
” We are not just a social club but a socio-political club ,not necessarily contesting for elections ,but influencing policies to better our businesses “chief Afam said.

Also speaking,a founding member of the club and member of trustees of the club Chief Nixon Okpara,said what is happening here today is that,”We want to establish one fact:That the Igbos are united.We are trying to establish the fact that against all odds ,and negative impressions out there,about our relationship with the APC in Lagos State,we want to say that we are not at logger heads with the state government.
His words,”The people you are seeing here are all employers of labour,with a strong financial background.Every member you see here is having an average of two hundred employees. We stay united to chart a common goal and vision.”

He said the club transcends beyond Igbos, adding 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.

High point of the event was the induction of. new members
Other speakers include ,His Royal Majesty ,Igwe Kingsley Chukwuma( Eze Ndigbo ,India.

Others include Former publicity Secretary,AppC ,Lagos Engr.Joe Igbokwe, the DG of Security and Exchange commission, Mr.Emomotimi John Agama, and,Senator Musliu Obanikoro, amongst other eminent dignitaries that graced the occasion