Senator Mbata Emerges New Ohanaeze President General As Governor Mbah, Uzodinma, Others Advocate Igbo Unity

By Tony Adibe

A legal practitioner and former Senator, who represented Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator John Azuta-Mbata has emerged the new President-General of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, with Okoye Nwadinobi becoming the Deputy President-General and former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Emeka Sibeudu, emerging the new Secretary-General.

Also victorious were Dr. Chidera Aneke, National Treasurer, Dr. EzeChukwu Ezechi, National Publicity Secretary, Dr Okeagu Ogadu, Legal Adviser; Deputy Secretary General, Dan Okenyi. Vice President General, Omeife Omeife Jideofor, Vice President General:,  Chief John Duru, Vice President General,  Dr. Ngozi Oleiime , Vice President General,  Dr. Peter Mbam, Vice President General,  Prof. Fred Eze.

Others were Assistant National Treasurer, Nnanna Nwakwo National Financial Secretary, Charles Kalu Nkata, Assistant National Financial Secretary, Jane Nwanga, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Bismarck Orji, and Assistant National Legal Adviser, Barr Chizoba Iheka.

NewsBitsng.com reports that all the national officers emerged as consensus candidates during the Ohanaeze General Assembly Meeting, held Friday, at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu. At the meeting, the Ohanaeze Constitution was “kept aside” to enable participants hold the election. The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, addressed the Ohanaeze General Assembly meeting alongside his Imo State counterpart, Senator Hope Uzodinma, advocating Igbo Unity and common interests.

Governor Mbah noted that the socio-political circumstances that gave birth to the pan-Igbo body remained relevant in present-day Nigeria as they were in the 1970s. He lauded  the  leadership  of  past Igbo leaders such as Dr. Michael Okpara, whom, he said, demonstrated how so much could be achieved when patriotism, altruism, and sense of brotherhood are at the core of leadership.

According to him, “We may be gathered here for the crucial task of electing members into the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, but this epic event yet offers a room for introspection, regarding the noble vision that inspired our forebears towards its founding.

“The ties that bind us run deep and transcend geographical boundaries, for we are bound by a common history and cultural heritage. Our forebears clearly understood this. They understood, as well, that unity is a formidable force.

“From the Igbo Federal Union to the Igbo State Union and the Igbo Forum that would later become Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1979, the motivation had always been the desire to forge unity and deep brotherhood amongst the Igbo.

“For them, the collective interest was all that mattered; not narrow interest shaped by party affiliation and boundary lines. Ohanaeze Ndigbo represents the soul of our people, and is firmly anchored on the conviction that we are stronger together. That soul of the people is our unifying force.

“The socio-political circumstances that gave birth to Ohanaeze Ndigbo are as relevant today as they were in the 1970s. So, we’d never needed this group more than we do today. Our founders and forebears were great men and women ahead of their time. They left for us a glimpse of how much that can be achieved when fostering brotherhood is the defining essence of leadership.

“The Premiers of the old Eastern Region, who governed from here, left indelible imprints visible in Enugu as much as in towns like Port Harcourt, Abakaliki, Owerri, Aba, Onitsha, Umuahia, etc. That is the definition of statesmanship. Our forebears were statesmen, who appreciated the expediency of rising above partisan politics when the call of unity beckoned.

“We will certainly achieve far more when we fully embrace the value of speaking as a collective voice – not as lone, discordant voices.” He further said:  “One of the simplest – but most profound – lessons that best convey the importance of unity is the quiver of arrows metaphor. A single arrow can be broken with much ease. But a stack of arrows stays firm even under an intense squeeze.

“The summary is that failing to unite leaves us prone as a single arrow. Standing as a unit imbues us with the resilience of the entire stack. Let us be like a stack of arrows. It is in our collective interest to work towards that goal – not by mere wish but through our actions.”

Also, in his remarks, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma said that the five Southeast Governors had resolved to strengthen Ohanaeze to enable it be what its founders had in mind when they founded it.

He said that the governors had decided to, henceforth discourage the “rascality among the leadership of Ohanaeze,” while encouraging those things that”hold us together.”

Uzodinma said that “Ohanaeze needs to be funded” because of the”current situation in the country, and because of the strangulation of the economy, the governors have decided to fund Ohanaeze Ndigbo World-wide”, adding: “We don’t want Ohanaeze people who will take night bus to represent us in Abuja.”

Earlier, the immediate past President- General, Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu called for “a better, unified, vibrant, proactive, and resilient Ohanaeze,” which he said, will commence with a credible leadership recruitment process. 

He stressed the need to properly integrate the youth, give them hope, and assure them of a worthwhile future with skills and competences, knowledge, and know-how for sustainable peace and progress in the land. Chukwu said that within the past 27 days he was in office, he initiated the registration of every Igbo in Nigeria who is 18 years and above.

He added that they also established a Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) for strategic guidance, policy development, decision-making support, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach. In his acceptance speech shortly after their inauguration, the newly elected President General, Senator John Azutal Mbata, expressed gratitude to the Igbo people for their support .

The new PG pledged to advance the interests of the Igbo nation, emphasising the importance of unity, economic empowerment, and political inclusion.

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