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From John Adams, Minna
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Niger State Chapter, has inaugurated its new executive that will pilot the affairs of the organisation in the state, with a firm resolve to promote peace, unity and well-being of its members in the state and beyond.
The 21-member executive has Chief Orji Martin as the president. The inauguration in Minna, was witnessed by sons and daughters of Igbo from across the 25 local government areas of the state.
Inaugurating the new executive, Special Adviser to Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago on Inter-Tribal Matters, Oba George Dike said the unity of Igbo in wherever they found themselves remains sacrosanct.
He told the people that only peaceful co-existence among themselves and their host communities can guarantee the growth of the organisation towards realising the political goal of Igbo extraction, adding that, “whatever your ambitions are, you can only realise it when you peacefully coexist with others.”
Dike, who was represented by Professor Casmir Obialom, reminded the new leadership that there cannot be peace in an atmosphere, where injustice thrives, stressing, “if we want peace, we must stay away from injustice.”
He, however, stirred some controversy when he said that tribal politics cannot make an Igboman the President of Nigeria, warning that, “The Igbo must learn to play universal politics if we want to be President of this country. If we must get what we want, we must stop playing tribal politics because one region alone cannot make you a President of Nigeria. There must be political harmonisation with other regions.”
Earlier, the outgoing president of the organisation, Chief Ezeugo Emmanuel, in his valedictory speech, chronicled the history of the formation of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Niger State chapter in 2013, describing the experience as very challenging.
He pointed out that the bomb blast at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Suleja Local Government Area of the state in 2013, where many Igbo sons and daughters lost their lives, others seriously wounded, business chattered and families displaced, informed the need for the formation of the organisation in the state.
“The Igbo leadership structure that existed then lacked the capacity to respond to the magnitude of such a crisis. Our people needed a voice that is strong, organised, recognised and respected, a voice that could engage the government authorities and advocate effectively for relief and justice.”
He disclosed further that after deep deliberations, it was resolved that there was the need to establish the Niger State chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex umbrella body uniting the Igbo worldwide.
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Regrettably, however, he disclosed that soon after the announcement of the establishment of the organisation in the state, resistance came swiftly, pointing out that, “the then existing Igbo association perceived it as a threat. Instruments of the opposition were deployed, propaganda, the police, the Department of State Service (DSS) and local government pressures, yet the truth stood firm.”
According to him, in the last 13 years of his leadership (2013-2026), Ohanaeze Ndigbo structures have been established in all the 25 local government areas of the state, adding that, “we championed the formation of the 19 northern states and Abuja coordination framework, thereby strengthening Igbo unity across Northern Nigeria.”
He, therefore, reminded the new executive that Ohanaeze Ndigbo was not borne out of ambition but rather out of responsibility and admonished them not to see leadership as title but as sacrifice and urged them to stand firm when the storms rage.
The new president, Dr. Orji Martin, described the inauguration of the new executive as a historic moment in the lives of all the new members, saying that their first priority was to strengthen unity among Ndigbo in the state, to protect and promote their welfare.
“We will work tirelessly to unite all Igbo associations under the umbrella of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, ensuring that every voice is heard and every group is carried along,” he stated.
He acknowledged the fact that leadership is not only a privilege but a call to service, “consequently we will foster peaceful coexistence with our host communities in the state and create opportunities for economic and social development.”
The highlight was the presentation of certificates to all the new executives.
Members of the new executive are Chief James Obisike, Deputy State President (Abia); Chief Alex Aronu, Deputy State President (Anambra); Mrs Juliet Nwabuzor, Deputy State President (Delta); Elder John Ogbonna, Deputy State President (Ebonyi); Elder Ojike Jonas, Deputy State President (Enugu) and Dr. Valentine Oparaocha, Deputy State President (Imo).
Others include Sabastien Ugbogu (State Secretary), Kenneth Okoro Nwoga (Assistant State Secretary), Pst. Daniel Okoro (State Treasurer), Moses Iwuoha (State Financial Secretary), Mazi Innocent Okeke (State Welfare Officer), Demian Egeonu (Public Relations Officer) and Dr Chika E Odo (State Woman Leader).
Also elected to serve in the new executive are Lady Uche Morin Mokwa (State Assistant Woman Leader), Stanley Onyeaguche (State Youth Leader), Dr Obinna Okereke (Legal Adviser), Chinwendu Nnadozie (Media Adviser), Mr Chigbo Ojiakor (State Provost), Mr Ikechukwu Agbo (State Auditor) and Mrs Ifeoma Okeke (Mobilisation Officer).
