By Dr Alex Chiedozie Ogbonnia
At about 375 BC, Plato in The Republic, espoused the theory of Philosopher King. Plato explained that a philosopher king is a theoretical leader who combines knowledge, temperament, political skill; and commitment to the pursuit of truth and the common good, and many other positive attributes. For Plato, philosophers are free from the vices that tempt others to abuse power.
They are intellectually superior, and are uniquely able to apply their knowledge for the good of the state. The summary of the Plato thesis is that a leader should be well educated with a pedigree of moral rectitude and, exceptional accomplishments.
The Plato templates for leadership fit into the persona of Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Ozichukwu attended some of the most prestigious universities in the world; University of Bristol’s School for Advanced Urban Studies (SAUS), Templeton College, Galilee College, Tivon, Israel, Oxford University and Harvard University, amongst others. Above all, he has vast experience in politics, public office, and entrepreneurship, etc.
On assumption of Office as the President General, Chukwu vowed that “under his watch, Ohanaeze can no longer be business as usual. He stated that there must be some essential recruitment criteria for the new Ohanaeze leadership come 2025.
According to him, for one to be elected to lead the Igbo, the person must have “proven experience in leadership roles, particularly in cultural organizations, age grades, town unions, market associations or similar contexts’. Evidently, the person must be well educated with demonstrable leadership skills, including strategic thinking, communication, and problem-solving” Not only that, the person must have cultural competence; a deep understanding of Igbo culture, traditions, and values. Above all, such a person must have a profile of “strong moral character, transparency, and accountability”.
In one of his remarks, Chukwu interrogated the current state of Ohanaeze. He admonished that “the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide must purge herself of the entitlement mentality. We must step out boldly to identify with and assist the town unions, which ought to be the bedrock of Ohanaeze.”
Chukwu asked a rhetorical question: “Why is it that when we had Oha without Eze, Igboland flourished, and this period of Ohana-eze, Igboland has been weakened and floundered?”. He posited that “it’s a two-way traffic of segregation in aggregation and aggregation of segregation.”
The Igbo Leader asserted the need to collaborate with the Igbo Governors, the Lawmakers of the National and State Assemblies and other members of the political class. He stated that “we should be working towards achieving convergence and harmony of objectives for fruitful partnership, joint dynamic co-evolution, and peaceful coexistence”. He added that in order to tackle insecurity, unemployment, poverty, hunger, and youth restiveness in Igbo land, a collaboration with government authorities is inevitable.
The Chukwu passion for the youth is legendary. He expressed that the youth is the effervescence of any society and regretted the current social dissonance and disconnect between the Ohanaeze and the Igbo youths. According to him, “we need to properly integrate the youths, give them hope and assure them of a future worthwhile, for peace and progress to reign. Chukwu admitted that “due to our own mistakes, all around us, everything is on auction”.
Undeniably, some of the issues raised above are the causes of the current Igbo fragmentations.
The Chukwu pragmatism has attracted the comments of notable Nigerians. The former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR; the former Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, GCON, the former Governors of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa and Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Solomon Ewuga, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu of the Vatican; Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, the Metropolitan of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province and President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria; His Lordship, Archbishop Hassan Matthew Kukah; Archbishop David Onuoha, the Metropolitan of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion); Prof Pat Utomi, Chief Oliver Nwankwo, the President of the European Igbo Community; Chief Japh Nwosu, amongst others have called to congratulate the Igbo Leader.
Chief Goddy Uwazurike, in his congratulatory message adverted that “Chukwu is a worthy friend to many Nigerians of different shades of opinions and faith instincts and a respecter of the rule of law, best practices and fervent judgment”. And that his ascendancy to the Ohanaeze leadership, unequivocally “has his job well cut out for him: which is, to constitute, drive and execute a flawless election on January 10, 2025 that will lead to the transfer of the reins of Leadership and authority of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to Rivers State, that is constitutionally recognized as the next hosting State between 2025 to end of 2028”. Chukwu is fit and proper for the position he has emerged to serve and fully loaded to deliver the best ever election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide that will be free, fair, transparent, credible and acceptable to the stakeholders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Uwazurike remarked that there is hardly any person who can drive the process better than Chukwu.
Chief Japh Nwosu in his congratulatory message stated that “this is the dawn of Igbo salvation and freedom, that Ndị Igbo have been punished and suffered enough. Dr. Barr Pat Onukwuli could not withhold his joy at the emergence of Chukwu: “Your demonstrated commitment to the socio-economic and cultural development of the Igbo people over the years reaffirms that your leadership comes at a crucial time, calling for unity, strategic advocacy, and visionary leadership”
Many who had known Chukwu as a secondary school prefect in the 70s attested to his incredible leadership qualities at a very young age. Many others are of the belief that Chukwu is a verritable testament to the virtues of robust intellect, hard work, unassailable integrity, dispositional humility, marital exemplariness, resilience, and organizational acumen.
The Igbo Leader has enthused that “Rome,” they say, “was not built in a day.” That Igbo unity is a sine qua non, in spite of our diverse persuasions. He called on all the Igbo sons and daughters across the globe to join in the effort for a new beginning in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
- Rt. Hon. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, PhD. (Ozowaluona); the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
