By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
The Chairman of Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Hon. Sir Chinedu Nwachukwu, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Public Service Excellence Award’ by the Federation of Mbaise Media Professionals (FMMP) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to development and service delivery in the council area.
Nwachukwu received the award on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during the Federation of Mbaise Media Professionals Lecture Series/Awards, held ahead of the annual Iri-ji Mbaise Festival at Chris VI Hotel, Ahiara, Mbaise.
The gathering attracted an array of dignitaries and stakeholders, including personalities from government establishments, traditional institutions, academic circles, the media industry and the business sector.
The event also featured a grand reception in honour of Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku, Vice President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), South-East Zone, who is also an indigene of Mbaise.
The reception was organised to celebrate his achievements, contributions to journalism and service to the media profession, further adding colour and significance to the gathering of media professionals and stakeholders from across Mbaise and beyond.
Presenting the award, the National President of FMMP, Comrade Patrick Mgbaja, said the honour was a recognition of Nwachukwu’s visible commitment to grassroots development, effective administration and service to the people of Ezinihitte Mbaise.
Mgbaja explained that the award was not given merely for occupying public office, but for the tangible projects and initiatives associated with Nwachukwu’s administration, noting that his activities had demonstrated a commitment to transforming the local government and improving the welfare of its people, as he encouraged the awardee not to relent.
Speaking after receiving the award, Nwachukwu expressed delight that media practitioners across the three LGAs of Mbaise had found his administration’s activities worthy of recognition.
“I am happy that media practitioners in the three LGAs of Mbaise were motivated because of my numerous achievements in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA.”
He said he believed the media organisation must have scrutinised his activities in the council area before arriving at the decision to honour him, adding that the award would serve as encouragement for him to do more for the people.
Nwachukwu used the occasion to highlight some of the more than 31 projects and achievements recorded by his administration, describing them as “verifiable and impactful.”
Among the projects, he listed the gigantic Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA Secretariat project, popularly referred to as the “Pentagon,” which he described as a “star project” of his administration.
He also mentioned the provision of high-powered boreholes in 11 autonomous communities across the local government, as well as two additional boreholes at the council headquarters. He further highlighted the ongoing modernization of Nkwo Mbaise Market, describing it as part of his administration’s efforts to improve commercial activities and create a more conducive environment for traders.
The council chairman disclosed that his administration had also concluded arrangements to energise Agbovu-Itu with a 750KVA transformer, noting that the capital-intensive project was conceived to improve electricity supply to households and businesses in the community.
“Today, I am happy to announce to you that the agreement for the project has been signed,” he stated.
According to him, the administration has also rehabilitated approximately 86 kilometres of roads across Ezinihitte Mbaise, stressing that the projects were designed to address critical infrastructure needs and enhance movement, economic activities and general living conditions in the area.
The council boss attributed his drive for development to the transformational leadership of the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, saying the governor’s achievements had inspired him to replicate and complement the administration’s development agenda at the grassroots.
Nwachukwu said his administration would continue to build on its achievements, promising to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of Ezinihitte Mbaise.
He solicited the continued support, cooperation and collaboration of the people, traditional institutions, stakeholders and other development partners, assuring that the recognition would further strengthen his resolve to serve the people.
The Public Service Excellence Award, meanwhile, underscored the important role of professional media organisations in recognising and encouraging public officials who distinguish themselves through responsible leadership, accountability and tangible service delivery.
