World Igbo Congress 2019 Communique

September 1

WIC HOUSTON 2019 DECLARATION

THE COMMUNIUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 25^TH ANNUAL CONVENTION AND

ANNIVERSARY OF THE WORLD IGBO CONGRESS AUGUST 30 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2019

The World Igbo Congress 2019 Convention held in Houston, Texas came to a close on Sunday,

September 1, 2019. It was chaired by Dr. J.O.S. Okeke and co-Chaired by Dr. (Mrs.) Ify Dike

The Convention dwelt on several of the myriads of current Igbo issues top of which were:

1. Security of life and property in Igbo land in order to stem the dangerous killer Fulani herdsmen and stop Islamization of Igbo land
2. Promotion of sustainable economic development of Igbo land in order to promote stay-in-theregion movement for Igbo youth and businesses
3. The future of Igbo land and the terms of Association of with her neighbors
4. Support of WIC to fully play the leadership role that will be beneficial to Ndi Igbo and the promotion of synergy among all Diaspora Igbo organizations
5. WIC support for diverse Igbo organizations working for the emancipation of our people.

The convention was organized as general and plenary sessions one of which culminated in the part two of the Global Igbo National Summit II. The part one of the summit was held August 22, 2019 in Owerri and was the platform for promoting synergy as an effective way of tackling the security of Igbo land. It was noteworthy that several of the past Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, Secretaries-General and adherents were in attendance, and indication that the World Igbo Congress has recaptured its pride of place as a vehicle for Igbo preservation. A major highlight of the convention was the “Distinguished Service Award bestowed on Distinguished Senator Enyinnanya Abaribe for his sterling and uncompromising defense of Igbo cause. The award was the first in that category by World Igbo Congress.

Among those who attended the convention are:

WIC Board and House of Delegates Executives, namely Prof. Anthony Ejiofor, Sir/Dr. Festus Okere, Dr.

Richard Nwachukwu, Dr. Celine Piri, Dr. Humphrey Ihejirika, Dr. Louis Okonkwo, Chief Chinonye Madu, Dr. Ken Igwe, Chief Godwin Ndukwe, Atty. Uzoma Ofodu, Atty. Okwy Maduforo,  and Chief Sampson Udeh.

The World Igbo Congress Council of Elders, namely Dr. Lucius Akuchie, Prof. Nick Muoneke, Prof. Alex Acholonu, Chief Emeka Nnadi, Chief Chike Momah, and Hon. Chike Odunukwe, were present.

The WIC Affiliates, namely, Igbo Community Association of Nigeria, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, Igbo Organization of New York, Igbo Association of Nashville, Tennessee, Igbo USA, New Jersey, Igbo Organization of Tampa, Florida, Umunna Association of Chicago, Igbo People’s Congress, Houston, Igbo People’s Congress, Austin, Texas, Igbo Progressive Union, Atlanta, Igbo Organization of Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, Igbo Organization of Northern Louisiana, and Ndi Igbo Foundation of New Orleans.

Three Emeritus Chairmen of WIC, namely Dr. J. O. S. Okeke (Founding Chairman), Dr. Kalu Kalu Diogu (Third Chairman) and Engr. Joe Nze Eto (The immediate past) were present, as well as Dr. Chuka Obiesie, former Vice Chairman, Atty. Ken Okorie, founding Secretary General and Dr. (Mrs.) Agatha Anosike, immediate past Secretary General.

Other Igbo organizations which participated at the Convention were Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Lower Niger Congress (LNC), Nzuko Umunna, Association of South East Town Unions, Council of Igbo States in America and Coalition of Pro-Biafra Organization.

Among personalities present at the convention included Distinguished Sen. Enyinnanya Abaribe who received the most prestigious award from the World Igbo Congress, Distinguished Sen. Ifeanyi Uba, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, Mr. Oluchi Ibe, Dr. Innocent Ukabam, Prof.  and Mrs. Landon Onyebueke, Sir  and Lady Chris Anyiam, Atty./Chief Edwin and Atty./Chief Cordelia Nwokocha, Chief and Mrs. Gabe Okoye, Dr. Ekelekamchukwu  Ngwadom, Mr. Ugo Amobi, Chief Emeka Diwe, Atty. Bobby Aniekwu, Chief Joe Okpegbue, Engr. Osondu Odo, Engr. and Mrs. Paul Iwuchukwu, Chief Paul Mbachu, Mr. Fred Ojiyi, Madam Tessy Duru, Mrs. Susan Egwuagu, Nze and Mrs. Chinasa Madumere, Engr. Nnaerika Okonkwo, Chief Richard Uche, Dr. Etofolam Osuji, Mr. Ngozi Odumuko, Mr. Mbama

Amadiebube, Prof. Chidi Onyenekwu, Ezeji Tobias Ogu, Ezeji Alozie Aguwa, Mrs. Ifeatu Onubogu, Mr.

Ikenna Uba, Sir John Ngerem, Prof. and Dr. Mrs. Jeff Ohanaja, Mrs. Angela Obasi, Bert Emeruwa

Nwakamma, Chief Sabi Nweke, Hardy Ogele, Nick Oduh, George Nwahizu, Ibe Anyanwu, Pastor Ifey Agukoronye, Dr. Roseleen Mba-Kalu, Mazi Agwu A. Agwu, Cal Nwabudu, Engr. Nnamdi Akamnonu, Dr. and Mrs. CY Osuoha, Mr. & Mrs. Obed Ariri, Mr. Onyewuchi Nkwocha, Engr. Bart Nwagbuo, Prof. & Mrs. Samuel Eweni, Dr. Okechukwu Ukekwe, Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Oramasionwu, Sir and Lady Ben Ndukwe, Charles Ikenata, Ms. Chioma Ogueri, Mrs. Elizabeth Awa, Hon. Chris Ukachukwu, among others too numerous to mention.

After the two-day convention, the following resolutions were reached:

• NdiIgbo and all government functionaries must immediately embark the relocation of Igbo businesses headquarters to Ala-Igbo in order to protect them from frequent and unwarranted attacks.
• That all Igbo support the World Igbo Congress which in turn is mandated to provide leadership in galvanizing Diaspora Igbo and pursue a plan of action leading to the information acquisition and dissemination necessary to promote investment in Igbo land.
• That World Igbo Congress works with Ndi-Igbo and progressive government functionaries to promote and support technology transfer through mobilization and active engagement of wellconnected young Igbo entrepreneurs in the Diaspora to Ala Igbo.
• That World Igbo Congress pursues the establishment of Diaspora Igbo database to assist in strategic planning for the security and economic improvement of Igbo land.
• That due to the fact that the 1999 constitution currently in effect in Nigeria, does not have referendum in any of the schedules, World Igbo Congress resolved to supplement the pursuit of Igbo emancipation through diplomacy and engagement of foreign powers, the United Nations and Regional powers in matters involving our region politically, economically, militarization, suppression, and persecution of Ndi-Igbo in Nigeria.
• Over the years, people in diaspora of different nations of the world, have been the key players and drivers of nation building and economic emancipation of their homelands. It is resolved that WIC should take leadership, and like other diaspora groups like Jewish Congress, apply pressure and lobbying mechanism to achieve Igbo emancipation.
• It is resolved that WIC should, through Association of Southeast Town Unions, establish formidable intelligence units in Ala-Igbo, as well as reinforce vigilante groups in Ala-Igbo to ensure that Igbo land is protected.
• WIC calls on Nigeria to actively support religious freedom by signing the Roundtable on Ministerial Inter-Religious Freedom which other countries have signed.
• The World Igbo Congress is empowered to fast-track the development of the six-institute worldclass Regional Medical Center of Excellence in Ogbaku, Imo State ensuring that it will be operated on a sound business model.
• The World Igbo Congress should without discrimination support all pro-Igbo groups in Nigeria and all over the world and coordinate their activities to ensure that the preservation and development of Igbo land remains their overarching objective.
• That WIC pursues the active participation of all WIC affiliates and all Igbo people to ensure the generation of Igbo transformational funds to provide the resources needed for the Igbo project
• It is resolved that every adult Igbo in the Diaspora should donate a minimum of $20 annually to the World Igbo Congress special account to serve as a token of commitment by every Diaspora Igbo and bolster the achievement of the mandates outlined..

Adopted at the World Igbo Congress Convention in Houston, Texas, August 30-Sept. 1, 2019.

Dr. Richard O. Nwachukwu

Secretary-General