Tinubu Celebrates Obi of Onitsha Achebe at 85, Hails Legacy of Leadership

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi), on the occasion of his 85th birthday, describing the revered monarch as a symbol of unity, integrity, and exemplary leadership.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu paid tribute to the foremost traditional ruler in the South-East for his contributions to nation-building, corporate leadership, and community development.

The President noted that before ascending the throne of his forebears, Igwe Achebe distinguished himself in the corporate world, serving as a director of Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria and holding leadership positions in several Shell subsidiaries across the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Liberia, and Angola.

Tinubu commended the monarch’s commitment to peace-building, youth empowerment, and socio-economic development initiatives within Onitsha and beyond, describing his reign as one marked by service and progress.

He particularly praised the traditional ruler for fostering national cohesion and acting as a vital link between grassroots communities and government institutions.

The President also acknowledged Igwe Achebe’s decades-long contributions to enterprise, governance, and public service, which he said have earned him widespread respect across the country.

Joining the royal family, the people of Onitsha, and residents of Anambra State in celebrating the monarch, Tinubu wished the Obi many more years of good health, strength, and wisdom as he continues to provide leadership to his community, state, and the nation.

Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential traditional rulers and a respected voice on national issues.