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• To partner Umuada Igbo on ‘Aku Ruo Ulo’ agenda
From Magnus Eze, Enugu
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has declared its resolve to protect the interest of Igbo people anywhere in the world, saying that it was its core mandate.
This is as the group said it would collaborate with Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora on different programmes particularly the Aku Ruo Ulo (Think-home) philosophy of the Igbo.
President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, stated this when leader of women in the seven Igbo speaking states, under the auspices of Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora, Lolo Kate Ezeofor, with her delegation, paid him a courtesy visit at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze in Enugu.
Iwuanyanwu described the Igbo as creative, hardworking, industrious and enterprising people, noting that unfortunately, these qualities had brought them envy from various people.
Notwithstanding, the Igbo leader said his people would not relent, instead, they would redouble effort to excel in whatever they engaged in.
He restated Ohanaeze’s commitment to joining forces with other ethnic nationalities under the platform of the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) to ensure the restructuring of Nigeria was actualised.
“Let me tell you the truth, anybody who does better than his peers will attract envy and persecution. I can recall when amalgamation was done in 1914, Igbo did not have any college but by 1960, we were the best in education. This is because of the capacity of Ndigbo. That is why I am saying anybody who is born in Igbo land will be a member of Ohanaeze.
“You have been one of the best Ohanaeze women. You believe in the progress of Ndigbo. All the things you have shown here prove the efforts you are making for Igbo land. You are a good child, don’t stop the good you are doing.
“I have seen that Ohanaeze is what will save the Igbo. We keep talking about restructuring but Nigerians are not ready. They only know what they are gaining. So, we are restructuring ourselves. We are looking at how to use our resources. We have found out why our people don’t come home to invest and we are solving it. We are going to restructure Ohanaeze,” Iwuanyanwu said.
Speaking earlier, Ezeofor said Umuada Igbo was fundamentally put in place to mobilise and organise women and youths of Igbo speaking states to participate in the process of achieving unity, peace building efforts, good governance, family planning, reproductive health and promotion and protection of their rights.
She also mentioned the group’s involvement in women and youth empowerment, cultural change advocacy on issues such as girl-child and women inheritance, education and promotion of Igbo Language and culture.
Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora which has special consultative status with Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations, New York, USA and Geneva, Switzerland, said it is desirous of peace in the region and will stop at nothing to achieve that.
The women commended Iwuanyanwu’s effort in repositioning Ohanaeze, noting that his impetus for the ‘Think-home philosophy’ was legendary.
