Ishiagu Community To Honour Outstanding Sons, Daughters At Maiden Triennial Celebration

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎By Wilson Ogbonnaya Okereke, Abakaliki ‎

‎The people of Ishiagu Autonomous Community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have concluded plans to honour distinguished sons and daughters of the community who have made exceptional contributions to society and the development of their homeland. ‎ ‎Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Hon. Barr. Uchenna Orji, disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday ahead of the maiden Triennial Ishiagu Day Celebration. ‎ ‎Orji said the event, which will feature the inauguration of the Ishiagu Hall of Fame and the conferment of iconic Doyen Awards, is designed to celebrate individuals whose outstanding achievements and selfless service have brought honour and pride to the community. ‎ ‎According to him, the initiative seeks to recognise excellence across various sectors, including public service, business, academia, sports, the arts and humanitarian service. ‎ ‎"It is meant to recognise those who have brought honour, integrity and glory to Ishiagu through their contributions and exemplary service," he said. ‎ ‎He noted that the programme is intended to promote the community's core values of hard work, integrity, truth, responsibility and selfless service while inspiring younger generations to emulate the legacies of their predecessors. ‎ ‎Describing the celebration as more than a cultural gathering, Orji said it is a social intervention aimed at promoting ethical values, strengthening unity, preserving the community's heritage and encouraging sustainable development. ‎ ‎The event, themed "The Place of Hall of Fame in Societal Ethical and Moral Revolution: Ishiagu Community as a Case Study," is scheduled to hold between August 26 and 28, 2026. ‎ ‎Activities lined up for the celebration include keynote lectures by motivational speakers, an exhibition on the history of Ishiagu, cultural displays, the conferment of various Doyen Awards and the unveiling of the blueprint for the proposed Ishiagu Hall of Fame. ‎ ‎The awards to be presented include the Grand Generational Doyen Award of Community Development (GGDCD), Outstanding Doyen of Community Development (ODCD), Millennium Doyen of Community Development (MDCD), and Doyen of Community Development (DCD), among others. ‎ ‎Orji, a former Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, said the initiative is aimed at celebrating verified excellence, preserving the community's cherished values and inspiring future generations. ‎ ‎He lamented what he described as the erosion of societal values, arguing that modern society increasingly places wealth above integrity and service. ‎ ‎"We have a resilient and innovative people with enormous natural and human resources. However, our greatest challenge remains the erosion of values, where wealth is often placed above service, hard work is no longer adequately rewarded, and principles and discipline are gradually being neglected," he said. ‎ ‎He expressed confidence that the Hall of Fame project would demonstrate that communities can embrace development without sacrificing their cultural identity and moral values, while calling on stakeholders and development partners to support the initiative.