Idoma Community in United Kingdom Honours Dr Austin Entonu

The Idoma community in the United Kingdom has honoured Dr. Austin Entonu, MBE, in recognition of his achievements, leadership and service to society.

IDOMA VOICE reports that Dr Entonu received the Award of Excellence at the maiden convention of the Idoma Association, United Kingdom, held in London on Saturday.

The award was presented to him by the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Agaba-Idu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John.

According to a citation read at the event, Entonu was recognised for his exceptional achievements and leadership, as well as his contributions towards promoting the values, heritage and unity of the community in the United Kingdom.

Entonu, a Member of the Order of the British Empire, MBE, was described at the convention as a visionary leader and global change-maker whose work cuts across climate finance, international development and institutional transformation.

The citation stated that he currently serves as Director-General for Africa at the Global Institute of Sustainability, Global University Systems, where he leads public-private partnerships and blended-finance initiatives aimed at developing sustainable investment platforms across Africa.

It recalled that Entonu was awarded an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II in June 2021 in recognition of his public service and advocacy against racial inequality.

The citation also highlighted his previous role as Chair of the UK Cabinet Office Equality Group, where he was said to have championed diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed at addressing systemic barriers and supporting underrepresented communities.

Entonu was further recognised for his work in sustainability and public infrastructure, including his previous role as Head of Net Zero Energy for the Greater London Authority.

According to the citation, he was involved in developing London’s £34 billion net-zero investment pipeline and also contributed to the UK Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

He was also cited as having served as a strategic adviser to the leadership of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference.

Presenting the award, the Idoma community recognised Entonu’s contributions to leadership, community development and the promotion of Idoma values in the diaspora.

Entonu proposes security fund for Idoma land

Responding after receiving the award, Entonu dedicated the recognition to those who had supported his leadership and activities within the Idoma community in the United Kingdom.

He said leadership could not succeed without the support of the people, describing members of the association as the backbone of its achievements.

“No leadership can be complete without the people,” he said.

Entonu, however, used the occasion to draw attention to the security challenges confronting Idoma communities back home, expressing concern over the killings and suffering of the people.

He commended the gathering for observing a minute’s silence in honour of those who had lost their lives in attacks and proposed the establishment of a security fund for Idoma land.

“In my own humble way, I want to suggest that we should establish a security fund for the whole of Idoma land,” he said.

According to him, the proposed fund could be used to support and empower vigilante groups across the local government areas in Idoma land.

Entonu appealed to the Och’Idoma to consider providing leadership for the initiative, saying there were capable Idoma sons and daughters who could be approached to contribute financially to the fund.

He said the initiative could provide additional support for community security efforts amid the continuing attacks and loss of lives in parts of the Idoma Kingdom.

Entonu’s proposal came as insecurity dominated discussions at the maiden convention, with Idoma leaders expressing concern over killings and displacement back home.

The Och’Idoma had earlier declared that armed herdsmen would never conquer the Idoma Kingdom, while Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, described Idoma land as a “wounded traveller.”

The maiden convention brought together Idoma sons and daughters in the United Kingdom alongside traditional, political and community leaders to strengthen ties within the diaspora and discuss issues affecting the Idoma nation.