By JOY MBACHI

The Speaker, Anambra House of Assembly, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, has called on the Federal Government to immortalise the country’s oldest and longest serving traditional ruler, Igwe Kenneth Orizu (III), of Nnewi as he marks his 101st birthday.

Udeze’s call is contained in his congratulatory message to Orizu, issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rev. Emma Madu, and made available to newsmen in Awka, on Friday.

He described the foremost traditional ruler of Nnewi in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra as “the most revered traditional ruler across the globe”.

According to him, Orizu’s memories are still intact, even at over 100 years of age.

The lawmaker described such a natural endowment as “exceptional grace of God”.

He stated that Orizu’s kinship “has brought honour, development, good life, peace as well as good tidings to his Anambra, Igbo and Nigeria at large”.

He recalled the centenarian’s landmark records during the Christian pilgrimage to Israel in 2009, when he climbed Mount Sinai, then at 84, “to the amazement of the pilgrims from all over the world”.

Udeze said that Orizu was affirmed outside the shores of Nigeria by those who witnessed the feat as “a pride of Anambra and true custodian of the people’s culture and tradition”.

He, therefore, called on the Federal Government “to immortalise Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi by naming an outstanding public institution after him as a mark of honour”.

He opined that the traditional ruler “remains the symbol of the traditional institution in the country, being the oldest living traditional ruler all over the world today”.

The speaker further urged the Igbo people to accord “profound reverence” to him.

He prayed God to continue to bless him with good health to enable him to continue to discharge his traditional responsibility to his people and humanity. (NAN)