Okorocha charges Nigerians to embrace National spirit .... Receives NUJ ICON of Service and Philanthropy Award

The Former Governor of Imo state and Senator representing Imo West at the National Assembly, Owelle Rochas Okorochas has said Nigerians needed to adopt the spirit of Nationalism and patriotism for the country to move forward amidst the killings and other heinous crimes ravaging the nation.

Okorocha stated this on Monday at an event titled “Conversation with Owelle @59,organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalism, NUJ FCT Council in commemoration of his 59th birthday.

Sen.Okorocha said, until Nigerians imbibe the spirit of patriotism nothing can work in the country. He added that National Spirit is lacking in Nigeria. He therefore advised that the earlier Nigerians take the country first the better for every citizen.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council honoured Senator Rochas Okorocha with NUJ ICON of Service and Philanthropy Award at the event held in Abuja

Senator Okorocha however dedicated the award to the indigent children in Nigeria.

While engaging journalists in a conversation, the Chairman Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said despite his humble background he was able to acquired quality education ,which made him to become what he is today.He added that Nigerian children who are of school age deserved quality and accessible education regardless of their backgrounds.

Talking on his administration as Governor of Imo state,Okorocha said he is the kind of person that was mostly misunderstood by many, perhaps because he is blunt and that he does not celebrate himself.

“As the governor of Imo state, I had over 1000 projects but in my nature, I don’t believe in commissioning projects because the money you will spend in commissioning projects can be used to develop other areas in the state”.He said.

Earlier, the chairman of FCT NUJ, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche in his opening remarks eulogized the former governor of Imo state for giving life to indigent Nigerians through his foundation scholarship, saying that ordinarily most of those children wouldn’t have had the privilege to be educated if not for him.

Ogbeche noted that the union is glad to associate with people like him who do not only care for themselves and their families but others.

“You are giving life to so many children in Nigeria, those children who ordinarily would have been on the street causing havoc here and there. We decided to honour you with ICON of Service and Philanthropy and we hope after today Nigerians will get to understand the person of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, “he said.