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From Magnus Eze, Enugu
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu has tasked the Igbo to ensure that only quality men and women with outstanding pedigree are elected to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, come January 10, next year.
Since the Igbo are one of the leading lights of Africa and for that trajectory to be sustained, he insisted that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo will be strengthened with officers with sterling and accomplished qualities.
For the purpose of the forthcoming election, Chukwu directed the states’ representatives in the NEC to nominate three persons each; and that the persons for the election committee must be men and women of integrity and character.
He added that other names will be sourced from the affiliate bodies of Ohanaeze and the civil society.
He, however, tasked the NEC to make more use of the town unions, market associations, and diaspora communities.
He spoke while presiding his inaugural meeting with the NEC noted that the effectiveness and viability of any organization or government was a function of the leadership recruitment process.
He expressed delight that the Imeobi Ohanaeze resolved that there should be a screening committee to ensure that the incoming NEC comprised men and women with sound education, integrity, vision, knowledge of the Igbo cultural and ethical values, innovativeness, collaborative corporate relations, among others.
Chukwu recalled with nostalgia, the enviable Igbo unity during the Dr. Michael Okpara regime as Premier of the defunct Eastern Region that propelled the Igbo to become one of the most educated ethnics in Africa.
During the Okpara regime, almost all the schools, Churches, markets, hospitals, and other social facilities were through the organized town unions. There were farm settlements that provided the required agricultural techniques for improved farming activities.
There was food sufficiency in Igbo land, but most regrettably, the subsequent Igbo leaders appeared to have abandoned their responsibilities.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, disclosed that the PG informed the NEC that it was the combination of Igbo internal peace, unity and food security on one hand and the credible accountable governance, on the other that registered the Eastern Nigeria as one of the fastest growing economies in the world under Okpara.
Chukwu lamented that at present, all forms of agricultural produce ranging from yam, beans, tomatoes, cows, goats, ram, carrot, garden egg, etc, all came from the North.
He could not withhold his concerns that a trip from Enugu to Onitsha, a distance of 100km, would take about four hours because of numerous money extorting checkpoints mounted by the Army, Police, Road Safety, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), and Community Vigilantes. He further lamented that while Harvard in the USA is curious about the Igbo successes through the Igba Boy, Igba oso ahia, etc, the present crop of Igbo are losing grip of that fascinating Igbo heritage. For instance, part of the restiveness, among the youths is traced to the dereliction of those vital values for which the Igbo are known. He therefore posited that youth empowerment should be uppermost in the Ohanaeze policy framework.
The Igbo leader appreciated the existential threat on the Igbo from diverse quarters but assured that with a good leadership, the Igbo will become the envy of Africa, citing the audaciousness, resilience, inventiveness, and capaciousness of places such as Bavaria, Scotland, California, Catalonia, amongst others who looked beyond their countries to achieve sustainable economic growth.
Chukwu added that one of the indices of backwardness is the indolent culture of subscribing to God the very endowments that God has already availed us.
He stressed that the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a moral burden on the federal government, adding that there is no sufficient reason for the prolonged detention of Kanu by the security agency of the State. Chukwu informed that he will collaborate with some Igbo leaders in government for a collective effort towards the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He assured the NEC that he will develop a blue print by which Ohanaeze will not only be complementing the good will of the state but in a position to discharge the diverse functions and overcome challenges as they arise.
Chukwu stated that though his days in office are numbered, he is determined to leave an impressive legacy behind.
The PG commended Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Okey Emuchay, for his carriage, diplomatic finesse, and administrative competence throughout the periods of catastrophe in Ohanaeze.
