President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, describing the revered traditional ruler as a towering figure of unity, integrity and nation-building whose influence has strengthened national cohesion.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President paid glowing tribute to the monarch’s decades-long contributions to both corporate leadership and traditional governance, noting that his life reflects excellence, service and commitment to national development.
Tinubu described Igwe Achebe as “a symbol of unity, grace, and integrity,” and commended him as one of the most respected traditional rulers in the South-East, with a distinguished background in corporate leadership and the oil and gas sector.
The President recalled that before ascending the throne, the monarch had an illustrious career with Shell Petroleum, where he served as a director in Nigeria and held senior leadership positions across several Shell subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Liberia and Angola.
He said Igwe Achebe’s transition from the corporate world to traditional leadership has been marked by continued service to humanity, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, youth empowerment and socio-economic development.
Tinubu further praised the monarch for his role in promoting national unity, describing him as a vital link between grassroots communities and government institutions through his consistent engagement and statesmanship.
According to the President, the Obi of Onitsha’s influence extends beyond Anambra State and the South-East, as his contributions
