The publisher of Champions Newspapers and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has appointed Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu as the Acting National Youth Leader of the socio-cultural body.
The appointment is contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Alex Ogbonnia, on Friday in Enugu.
According to the statement, the resolution was reached during a crucial meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing with Iwuanyanwu in Owerri on Aug. 30.
It said youths explained that Mr Okpalaezeukwu had over the years demonstrated an uncommon capacity, vision, friendly finesse, intellectual prowess, selflessness, and other sterling leadership qualities.
It added that Okpalaezeukwu had the necessary skills and dynamism to manage the various diverse interests amongst the youths with prudence, equanimity, and transparency. The statement further said that Okpalaezeukwu would hold the Office pending the due process for a substantive National Youth Leader from Ebonyi State.
It also quoted Mazi Chika Adiele, the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, as assuring the general public that the era of frivolous statements using the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo had gone.
“We frown at the activities of some mischief makers, usurpers, impostors, job seekers and meddlesome interlopers who parade themselves and make unfounded and unruly statements in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“We admonish such perpetrators, charlatans and media navigators who leech on the invaluable footprints of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to issue press releases for narrow, perverse and illicit pecuniary interests to desist forthwith
“Any attempt by any individual or group in this regard shall henceforth be appropriately sanctioned by the Youth Wing,” the statement warned.
The statement said the youth reaffirmed their resolve and commitment to end the notorious “Sit at Home” order in the South-East of Nigeria. According to it, the youth expressed concern over the instigated insecurity and socio-economic disruptions in Igbo land.
It stated that, while commending the Southeast Governors, led by the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, for all their efforts towards overcoming these challenges, Okpalaezeukwu said they would not rest on their oars “till peace and security is restored in South East and Nigeria at large”.
“The Youth Wing appreciated the Iwuanyanwu disruptive innovations on Security, Economic growth, Education, Culture, and other sectors of developments in Ala-Igbo within the short period of his assumption of Office as the President General.
“We recalled with immense admiration the fatherly demands he has made to the Presidency for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; the unprecedented relationship with the Ohanaeze Governors and the Igbo Captains of Industries.
“His has had reconciliatory meetings with the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Uk and Ireland; the renewed relationship with the Anya Ndigbo, Igbo Archbishops and Bishops; admitting the African Americans with authentic Igbo ancestry into the Igbo cosmology; creating a strategic organizational structure for global administration of Ohanaeze and others.
“Based on the foregoing, the Youth Wing passed a vote of confidence on Chief Iwuanyanwu and prayed God to give him more wisdom and strength,” the statement said.
Source: NAN
