Marcel Duru receives Umuaka Times Man of the Year Award as Umuezikoha hosts the new silk in Owerri.
3 min read
High profile chief and legal luminary Sir Marcel Duru (SAN) who was announced as the Umuaka Times Man of the Year 2024 by Umuaka Times newspapers in December 2024, yesterday (4 January 2025) received his Umuaka Times Man of the Year Award in Owerri. The event was the reception organized in his honour by Umuezikoha Development Union in view of his elevation as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) of Nigeria.
The event which was held in the Owerri private residence of Chief Chris Nwachukwu, a US based legal pundit and positive change advocate, was like a gathering of who is who in the legal profession both in Nigeria and overseas. Umuaka born American based legal practitioners and other attorneys were present and observing the events with calmness and rapt attention.
The roll call of personalities at the event especially from Umuaka was endless; Chief Solo Obioha, Dr Victor Dike, Dr Chris Nwachukwu, Dr Ken Nnaka, Dr Lion Agwumezie, Mr Chris Okpara, Chief Ike Okpara, High Chief Eddy Ikwubuo, Dr Bernard Nwaiwu, Dr Nganwuchu, Mr Sonex Oguike, Mazi Goddy Nwadibie, Dr Sanctus Orgazi, HRH Eze Caesar Duruegbusuo, Chief Davidson Agams, Mr Emma Duruigbo, DSP Ifeany Azike, Sergius Ojikeya and many more others.
At the beginning, it was as if people were not going to attend the occasion due to several functions taking place in many parts of Imo State. It was suprising to many that at last the chairs were no longer enough for the guests. Presentation of kola nuts and the accompanying prayers were the first things that took place. Another segment of the event was the introduction of personalities.
Due to some certain reasons, the Master of the Ceremony, Mr Basil Onyewueke announced that it was time for Umuezikoha to present their gift to the new silk. The president of Umuezikoha Development Union, Mr Sergius Ojikeya was given an opportunity to make a speech. After his speech, he presented a frame which had an inspiring inscription and the picture of Chief Marcel Duru, the Akajiugo 1 of Umuaka.
Then came another and perhaps the main event; the presentation of Umuaka Times Man of the Year Award to Chief Duru. The only royal father in the audience Eze Caesar Ugochukwu Duruegbusuo was given an opportunity to present the award. Trust the Umuele monarch, he blazed the presentation with wisdom, motivational speech, proverbs and eventually presented the award to Akajiugo.
Several personalities at the event were given the opportunity to speak before it was the turn of the new silk. He first thanked everyone present at the occasion for finding time to make it to the occasion despite their busy schedules. The theme of his message which was like what Dr Chris Nwachukwu said in his speech was that people should work harder and take their works more seriously than expected.
The Akajiugo 1 of Umuaka was indeed engulfed with happiness as his people, friends and colleagues gathered around him to celebrate his “SANship” with him. He remains the first man from Umuaka to attain such a prestigious position in law.
