It
was rather a full house on Saturday, February 21, 2009 when Prince, Prof. L.F.O
Obika organized an indoor birthday celebration at his residence, along Obi Ikechkwu Road
in Ime-Obi, Ika South Local Government Area. It was indeed a time when friends
and family members had the opportunity to wine and dine with the learned
professor as he added one year to his years precisely on Thursday, February 19,
2009.
According
to the Professor of Physiology at the University
of Benin, UNIBEN, Benin
City in EdoState, he decided to
celebrate this year’s birthday as a result of the numerous good things he has
witnessed in his life recently. He added that he had to invite very few of his
friends to felicitate with him saying that many of them have been very close to
him for a very long time, and that he has seen them to be honest people. Prince
Obika said that the secret behind his success in life is truthfulness and being
oneself at all times. “I like being myself at all times. And when you are
truthful, not only to yourself, but to others around you, you will be able to
carry everyone along. But when you are not honest and truthful, you will be
deceiving a lot of people, which will in effect have negative influence on you”
he said.
Also,
speaking on the rate of criminal activities prevalent in the society today, the
amiable professor said that in his youthful days in Agbor, criminal activities
has not as rampant as it is today. He gave reasons such as unemployment of
school leavers, lack of contentment and inordinate quest for wealth, as part of
the causes of youths restiveness and criminal tendencies in the society. “The
solution to these problems is for Government to create more jobs for the
youths, provide social amenities and to give the people an ennobling environment.
These will help foster peace and security in our society”, he posited. He gave
kudos to the present chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Hon. Hilary
Ibude, for the level of development in the area. Infrastructure development in
the area as being witnessed by the people as never before. Some dilapidating
roads in the area are being reconstructed by his administration and it is very
commendable”, he said.
Prince
F.O. Obika who is currently in charge of the scholarship scheme of Zenith Bank
Plc and a one-time Chairman, Board of Advisory Council in the Agbor royal
kingdom, said he feels very happy putting smiles on the faces of people. He
asserted that the scholarship he runs is based on merit, and not on the basis
of family sentiments. He therefore enjoined those students who are desirous of
benefiting from the scholarship, to read hard and make good grades, as these
are some of the criterias in winning the scholarship.
Mrs.
Charity Obika, the wife of the celebrant also felicitated with him, saying that
her relationship with the prince has been a very wonderful one all through, and
the husband has been very close to her, adding that she has never regretted any
moment with the man of her heart. Also speaking at the occasion, on behalf of
friends and colleagues, Chief Sunny Anumele, the Onye Dein Jamma of Agbor
kingdom said that Prof. Obika has always been seen as a very intelligent and
hard working man. “He is trustworthy. He has attained an enviable height in his
chosen career. His gentle disposition has endeared him to many both within and
outside Ika community,” he said, even as he advised the prince to keep up with
his good work.
Other
personalities present at the occasion include Chief C.O. Nwoko, the Ebi of
Agbor kingdom, and CEO Chrisglo Table Water; Chief Rear Admiral P.I. Elumah;
Mr. Osegi I.B, a Consultant Chemist; Prince F.E. Obika, a staff of College of
Education, Agbor; Prince Ndidi; elder brother to the celebrant; Princes Ebele
Nwonkeye; Princes Stella Ofume; Princes Agela Agbakpolor and other friends and
family members.
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