By Chuks Eke
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization has called for unity of purpose, oneness with promotion of Igbo language, cultural values among Ndigbo and above all to synergize with community leaders in various communities.
The call was contained in a charge made by Anambra State chapter President of the apex Igbo organization, Obi Prince Chukwuemekalum Udodeme (Odegba), yesterday while inaugurating the Idemili North Local Government chapter of the organization at the local government Secretariat hall, Ogidi.
According to Udodeme, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo cannot make progress without oneness and unity of purpose in anything we chose to achieve whether politically, economically, socially or security wise”.
“You cannot work without involving the Local Government Chairman, Traditional Rulers, towns union Presidents, Community Women and Youth leaders”.
“Infact, to ensure this synergy, at the state level, the office of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Vice President is Constitutionally reserved for the personality occupying the post of the ‘Anambra State Association of Towns Union, ASATU National President’.
“Let us work towards near perfection by bringing the communities together. Organize Idemili cultural day, Idemili New yam festival and all the rest to promote the Igbo culture and oneness,” said Udodeme.
Also, the ASATU National President cum Ohanaeze Ndigbo State Vice President, Chief Barr. Titus Akpudo (Ugwunyilionyeoso) said: “Igbo language should be spoken without inferiority complex, our children should be taught how to speak and promote Igbo language, practice and live according to our cultural values”.
Akpudo further assured to use his office to ensure co-operation of the towns Unions towards promoting the Ohaneze Ndigbo goals and agenda urging illustrious sons of Idemili to finance and support the organization.
The INLGA Transition Chairman, Chief Chuks Igboanua who was a former Ohaneze Ndigbo LG Vice Chairman after tasking the new executives to join the Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s pursuit for a more secured Anambra State solicited for Ndigbo to think and invest at home.
Earlier in his welcome address, the INLGA Ohaneze Ndigbo Chairman, Chief Augustine Udo (Osoma-Ugochinyereze) called for all sons and daughters to belong to the organization,strategize together, proffer solutions to challenges facing Ndigbo, unite as an entity for the salvation, peace, love and emancipation of Igbo people.
“Our gratitude goes to the Transition Chairman and all State officers for their support. Our administration will rob minds for the progress, security, mobilization of our people at the grassroots to have people oriented Ohanaeze including youths for a better Idemili North. We shall collaborate with all authorities necessary to keep the flag of Ohanaeze flying,” said Udo.
The Ohaneze Ndigbo INLGA chapter executives include Chairman- Chief Augustine Udo, Vice Chairman- Chief Charles Obadike, Secretary- Chief Nnaemeka Orjiakor, Assistant Sec- Mrs Chinyere Ibezim, Treasurer- Mr. Edmund Ndukwe, Financial Sec- Chief Chris Ngwudike, PRO- Mr Churchill Okafor, Youth leader- Hon Emeka Amaefuna, Asst Youth Leader- Hon. Vincent Madu.
Others are Organizing Sec- Amb. Emma Okpala, Woman Leader- Mrs Ethel Atuokwu, Asst Woman Leader- Mrs Uju Omire, Legal Advisers-Barr. Agbata P.G. and Barr. Obojiofor A.U., Welfare Officer- Chief Maurice Omeludike, Ex-Officios-Nze-Ukwu Ewudo, Ichie Chris Onyekwelu and Mrs Rita Ibeakuzie
Moreover, the occasion chairman, President General Nkpor, Chief Innocent Ibeagha (OsomaNkpor) charged the new executives to do better than their predecessors in humility adding that inclusive and impactful leadership attracts higher positions of responsibility in the future.
The APC aspirant for Idemili North, Anambra House of Assembly, Chief Chibuzor Okeke(Onataludikemma) who said that he intends to sponsor a bill to regulate amount of school fees for both private and public schools pledged to support the Ohanaeze in promoting Igbo unity, values and purposeful governance.
However, the PDP aspirant for Idemili North Anambra House of Assembly, Chief Vincent Obi(Ezeudo) who averred that neither politics nor his ambition was a do or die affair after pledging his support appealed to Ohanaeze to avoid partisan politics but rather play a fatherly role to all contestants in the upcoming 2023 elections.
