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Tag: Ohanaeze Ndigbo

  • Ohanaeze applauds FG on agric initiatives

    The President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has applauded the agricultural initiatives of the Federal Government saying they are yielding positive results in Igbo speaking states.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the apex socio-cultural organisation of Igbo speaking states in Nigeria.

    Addressing newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday, Nwodo contended that with the implementation of the initiatives, the federal government had taken the best move to take the people out of recession.

    He said that the various agricultural schemes embarked by the government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were a huge success.

    The Ohanaeze chieftain said that the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, should be commended for the intervention of the apex bank in various empowerment programmes aimed at stimulating the economy.

    Nwodo said: “we want to use this opportunity to salute the governor of the Central Bank.

    “This gentleman has had one of the most difficult challenges that have faced any governor of the CBN.

    “What he has done lately in terms of fighting the value of the naira is most commendable.

    “His programmes at assisting agriculture have impacted positively on the sector.

    “It is working in Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra and it is beginning to work in Enugu state and we are immensely grateful to him.

    “We encourage him to continue to work in this way to ensure that the ordinary people in Nigeria can bounce back as this recession continues to recede in its calamitously effect on our standard of living.”

    Nwodo said that the achievements of the government in the petroleum sector should not be overlooked as the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had been reinvigorated.

    He said that the achievements recorded in the NNPC during the tenure of Dr Ibe Kachikwu as Minister of State for Petroleum and Managing Director were outstanding.

    “Since the NNPC was incorporated, no minister or managing director has ever put the corporation on public portal.

    “But by the click of the mouse, when our son was there, you could tell how much came into NNPC every day and how much was spent.

    “For the first time, petroleum subsidy was removed without the economy collapsing,” he said.

    The Ohaneze president appealed to the Federal Government to intervene and rehabilitate the Enugu/Port Harcourt expressway which he described as “death trap.’’

    “While we commend the minister of Power, Works and Housing for the work that has started on the Enugu/Onitsha road, we want to draw his attention to the road between Enugu and Port Harcourt.

    “The road is a death trap. It is tortuous and God knows how long it will take to rehabilitate the road especially with all the stops by security men,” he said.

    Nwodo expressed concern that the entire South-East seemed to be under security siege by officers of the armed forces, who he alleged, extort money openly from innocent citizens and road users.

    He said that complaints by the organisation against the brazen impunity of the security agencies on the roads across the zone had remained unattended to.

  • Jonathan congratulates Nwodo over election as Ohanaeze chief

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Chief John Nwodo Jnr over his emergence as the new President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, describing his election as a popular choice.

    The ex-President made this known in a goodwill message and urged Nwodo to use his new position to work for the good of Ndigbo and also seek to promote national development.

    In a statement issued by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said: “I wish to convey my best wishes and congratulate you on your election victory as the new President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    “Your victory is well deserved and I am convinced that Ndigbo and the entire nation will be better for it.

    “Given your record of accomplishments and outstanding service to our dear country in the various public offices you had held, I have no doubt that you will succeed in this assignment and justify the huge confidence reposed in you by a people whose love you always profess.

    “I believe that in leading Ohaneze Ndigbo, you will deploy your integrity, exceptional eloquence and abiding goodwill across the nation to not only promote cohesion and national development, but also provide Ndigbo with a strong voice that will command national and international acclaim. May God lead you to accomplish your mandate.”

     

  • No faction in Ohanaeze Ndigbo – Nwodo

    The newly elected President-General of Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, has dismissed stories of factions existing in the organization.

    Nwodo stated this during the inauguration of the Enugu State executive of the organization.

    “There is no faction among Ndigbo. We are united for a common cause. We cannot afford to fail and we shall support you in carrying out your agenda for the Igbo nation,” he said.

    “For the first time we had a peaceful national election that went viral like never before. President Muhammadu Buhari, Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum, past heads of states, governors, church leaders and other groups called to congratulate me and lend a hand of support and partnership to work with us. The increased national attention will increase national expectation from us.”

    The outgoing Chairman of Ohaneze in Enugu, Mr. Eric Ebeh, expressed appreciation for the support he received while serving his tenure and promised to support the new state executive to move the organization forward.

    In his acceptance speech, the organization’s new chairman in the state, Chief Alex Ogbonna, acknowledged that the task ahead of him is daunting, promising to have a good working relationship with the President-General to move the organization forward.

    “The position is very tough but I am happy that we have a capable leader who will chart the course for us and show us direction in implementing the Igbo agenda. We shall work together and ensure transparency in our positions,” he said.

     

  • Ohanaeze: Community wants Nwodo to rally Igbos

    Ohanaeze: Community wants Nwodo to rally Igbos

    The head of the Ishiagu Autonomous Community in South-East has called on Chief John Nwodo, the new President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to  galvanise and reposition Igbos for political and socioeconomic greatness.

    The traditional ruler of the Community, HRM Moses Ngele made this known when he reacted in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Thursday.

    Ngele expressed confidence in the ability of Nwodo to lead the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.

    He urged the new President to use the position to enhance the unity, political and economic progress as well as overall development of the Igbo nation.

    The monarch said that Nwodo assumed the leadership of the pan-Igbo group at an auspicious time, and urged him to re-invent the Igbo spirit of brotherhood, unity and peace that was the hallmark of Igbo greatness.

    “His election is a clear indication that the entire Igbo speaking people of Nigeria are now ready to make progress and to move forward as one people with a common destiny in the Nigerian project.

    “I am particularly happy and overjoyed at the development. The only piece of advise I have for the renowned politician is to use the new position to bring Igbos both at home and in diaspora together and galvanise them for the development of the region.

    “Let him use the office to reach out and ensure that Igboman regained his pride of place in the Nigerian project.

    “He must leave above board and ensure that his leadership is all embracing and cutting across different political, social and economic leanings.

    “We will ensure that we sustain him with our support and prayers for him to succeed in his new assignment,” Ngele said.

    Similarly, Mr Mark Onuh, President of the Ekubaraoha Youth Assembly, an Ebonyi-based socio-political pressure group, told NAN that Nwodo’s victory was a reflection of the will of the Igbos.

    Onuh urged Nwodo to shun clannishness and to work toward the promotion of the Igbo identity, culture and socioeconomic interest.

    “We as a sociopolitical pressure group is happy with the emergence of Nwodo as the president of the apex Igbo organisation and wish to pledge our  unalloyed support and solidarity.

    “We urge him to use his wealth of experience in galvanising the south-east and indeed all Igbo speaking people of Nigeria for economic, social and political greatness.

    “We urge him to use his exalted office to explore the reach Igbo culture, customs and traditions to build bridges of unity among Igbo political and economic elite to launch the region back to relevance, ” Onuh said.

  • Nwodo is new Ohanaeze president

    Former Information minister, John Nnia Nwodo (jnr), has been elected the new president general for Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    Nwodo beat his only rival, a former Vice-Chancellor of the former Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH), Prof. Chinweta Ejike, by a wide margin of 242 votes to 13.

    Two other contestants had stepped down for Nwodo, while former governor of old Anambra and Imo States, Commodore Allison Madueke (rtd) earlier withdrew from the contest.

    Uche Okwukwu from Rivers State was elected the secretary general.

    A retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hilary Opara, from Imo state was elected Deputy president general,  ‎while Solomon Ogunji from Delta was elected the deputy secretary general.

    Former Ebonyi State deputy governor, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, was elected vice president, Ebonyi State.

    The election was conducted under peaceful and conducive atmosphere.

  • Biafra: Ohanaeze Ndigbo holds talks with presidency over Kanu

    Biafra: Ohanaeze Ndigbo holds talks with presidency over Kanu

    • Group meets Sultan, Ooni, other monarchs

    Pan Igbo social cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, yesterday said that it has began talks with the Presidency to ensure the release of the founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu from detention.

    The body also said that its leadership will commence discussions with notable traditional ruler for the same purpose.

    Although the group did not disclose details of its discussions and the Presidency officials it met “for security reasons”, it noted that those consulted assured its representatives that something positive would come out of the consultations very soon.

    The apex Igbo body told journalists in Abuja yesterday that discussions were already at advanced stage between its leaders and key personalities in the presidency.

    The modus operandi, it said was on how to employ political solution to secure the release of Kanu.

    National President of the Ohaneze Ndigbo youth wing, Mazi Okechukwu Iziguzoro, who spoke at a news briefing, explained that notable traditional rulers, like the Sultan of Sokoto, Ooni of Ife, Emir of Kano and the monarch of the Bornu Kingdom, had been consulted on the issue.

    Iziguzoro noted that the Igbo leaders assured the Presidency and the royal fathers that they were prepared to prevail on Kanu to discontinue the operation of Radio Biafra if he is released.

    The Ohaneze Ndigbo, he said, decided to initiate the ‘free Nnamdi Kanu’ campaign, as part of its peace in the Nigeria project.

    He noted that it is their conviction that dialogue, instead of protests, remained the best option to resolve contending issues.

    The group leader added that the peace move initiated by the body yielded some fruits recently when the leadership of the Ohaneze Ndigbo addressed a joint news conference with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum and demanded the unconditional release of Kanu, in the interest of peace and harmony.

    He said, “For the past two months now, we have started to mediate with the Federal Government and other stakeholders in this country, with regards to what is happening to our zone. Ohaneze Ndigbo have also meet with the family of Nnamdi Kanu, his younger brother, Emma, his sisters and other members of the family and, we know their mindset.

    “We are now convincing Kanu personally on the need to soften the stand of his movement. Before now, we had no access to him, but we can now have access to him through the Directorate of State Service and explain issues he needed to understand.

    “If you are talking about Biafra, it is not only about one person. It is about the entire Igbo nation who have multi trillion dollars investment across the country. So everything has to be taken into consideration.

    “The talks are still on and we met high profile personalities in government who would not want their names mentioned in the media without clearance. Two weeks ago, we were with the Sultan of Sokoto on the same issue. From there to the Shehu of Bornu, and then the Ooni of Ife.

    “We as youth leaders of Ndigbo will be shirking in our responsibility and duty if we fail to state our position, opinion and suggestion on the way forward to this burning issue.

    “In the first place we believe in a United Nigeria anchored on justice, equity and fairness. We believe that all problems and issues in Nigeria can be solved through dialogue and roundtable discussion.”

    Isiguzoro expressed the hope that the peace initiative across the country by the apex Igbo group would go a long way to achieve the objective of freeing Kanu from detention.

  • Elections must hold, says Ohanaeze Ndigbo

    Elections must hold, says Ohanaeze Ndigbo

    •Attacks NSA 

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said yesterday that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), had no power to call for the postponement of the February elections.

    It said the call was not in the interest of the country, adding that elections must be conducted.

    The group spoke in Awka, the Anambra State capital, after a one-day emergency meeting by the presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in seven Igbo- speaking states, namely Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta, Imo and Rivers.

    In a communiqué, the body cautioned former Aviation Minister and elder statesman Chief Mbazulike Amechi to refrain from his utterances or be sanctioned.

    The statement was signed by Elder Chris Eluemunoh (Anambra and leader of the group), Chief Emmanuel Okparanta (Abia), Elder Ifeanyichukwu Onwukamike (Delta), Pius Nwankwo (Ebonyi), Chief Eric Ebeh (Enugu), Dr. Ezechi Chukwu (Imo) and Prince Igo Okparamma (Rivers).

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo confirmed that there was misunderstanding in the group, caused by those it called dissidents, who are after selfish interests.

    It said: “This is not a period to create problems in Igbo land, but a time to proffer solutions to Ndigbo’s problems.”

    Amechi had called for an election in Ohanaeze Ndigbo, because according to him, the tenure of the present leadership, led by Chief Enwo Igariwey, had ended.

    But the body’s presidents’ forum led by Elder Eluemunoh said under the reviewed constitution, the tenure of the present  leadership was four years.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemned the attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina and Bauchi states. It said violence during election period would not be welcomed.

  • Southeast, Southsouth demand N2.6tr reparation for Biafran war

    Southeast, Southsouth demand N2.6tr reparation for Biafran war

    Delegates from Southeast and Southsouth geo-political zones at the ongoing National Conference yesterday demanded the payment of N2.6 trillion reparation as damages incurred during the Biafran war.

    The demand was contained in documents circulated at the conference yesterday entitled “Amendment to the proposed National Intervention Fund: The case of the Southeast, Southsouth zones of Nigeria” and “Ohanaeze Ndigbo: Atrocities and injustices against Ndigbo.”

    The document was endorsed by 20 Southeast and Southsouth delegates including the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igariwey, Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Ms. Annkio Briggs and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara.

    The delegates noted that it is incalculable to put a price on the death of millions of Igbo killed in the civil war and in other incidents.

    The Federal Government, they said, should pay N400 billion each to the five states of the South East as compensation to those who lost loved ones, property and those still suffering dislocation in the country.

    “The same amount should also be paid to the government of Delta State for the benefit of Anioma area of the state,” they demanded.

    The document added: “Since the proposed National Intervention Fund is to address the vexed issues of devastation and upheavals caused by an act of war or outright war itself, the South South and South East zones should be adequately taken care of by the fund in terms of the physical infrastructure, rehabilitation, development and other losses resulting from the civil war.”

    Apart from asking for payment of reparation, the two zones said the Federal Government should, with urgency, “set up a body to work out agreed reparation to settle the civil war issue once and for all.”

    It noted that all fair-minded Nigerians would agree that the former Eastern Region and part of former Mid-West Region, which encompass the present day Southeast and Southsouth zones of the country were theatres of the civil war.

    The delegates said it is well known that the civil war devastated the Southeast and Southsouth zones and brought untold hardship to the citizens of the areas.

    “The case of the Southeast which bore the full brunt of the civil war for 30 months, is particularly tragic. Most of it has remained a wasteland, despite General (Yakubu) Gowon’s declaration of three “Rs” Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation,” they said.

    The conferees noted that the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of the country, and especially in the Northeast zone, has brought up the issue of reparation and reconstruction “in whatever guise to the fore and the National Conference through its Committee on Devolution of Power has tackled it headlong.”

    The delegates insisted that “since what is sauce for the geese is also good for the gander, the Conference cannot afford to ignore the yearnings of our people to rehabilitate and reconstruct the war devastated South South and South East zone through the proposed National Intervention Fund or through any other integrated platform or plan available to the Federal Government.”

    The noted that several panels set up by the Federal Government including the Oputa Panel, had approved reparation for war damages “but ill date, this has not been addressed.”

     

  • Southeast, Southsouth demand N2.6tr reparation

    Delegates of the Southeast and Southsouth at the National Conference demanded yesterday the payment of N2.6 trillion reparation for damages done in the zones during the civil war.

    The demand was contained in the documents circulated at the conference, titled: “Amendment to the proposed National Intervention Fund: The case of the Southeast, Southsouth zones of Nigeria” and “Ohanaeze Ndigbo: Atrocities and injustices against Ndigbo.”

    The documents were endorsed by the 20 Southeast and Southsouth delegates, including the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igariwey, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Ms. Annkio Briggs and former Senate President Adolphus Wabara.

    The delegates said their demand was meant to put a price on the death of millions of Igbo, who were killed in the civil war and on other occasions.

    The Federal Government, they said, should pay N400 billion each to the five states of the Southeast as compensation to those who lost loved ones, property and those still suffering dislocation.

    “The same amount should also be paid to the Delta State government for the benefit of Anioma area of the state,” the delegates said.

    According to the documents, “since the proposed National Intervention Fund is to address the vexed issues of devastation and upheavals caused by an act of war or outright war, the Southsouth and Southeast zones should be taken care of by the fund in terms of the physical infrastructure, rehabilitation, development and other losses resulting from the civil war.”

    Besides asking for payment of reparation, the two zones said the Federal Government should “set up a body to work out agreed reparation to settle the civil war issue once and for all.”

    They noted that fair minded Nigerians would agree that the former Eastern Region and part of the former Mid-West Region, which encompassed the present Southeast and Southsouth, were theatres of the civil war.

    The delegates said it is well known that the civil war devastated the Southeast and Southsouth and brought hardship to the citizens.

    “The case of the Southeast, which bore the full brunt of the civil war for 30 months, is tragic. Most of it has remained a wasteland, despite Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s declaration of three “Rs” Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction,” they said.

    The conferees noted that the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of the country, especially in the Northeast, has brought up the issue of reparation and reconstruction “in whatever guise to the fore and the National Conference through its Committee on Devolution of Power has tackled it headlong.”

    The delegates insisted that “since what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander, the conference cannot afford to ignore the yearnings of our people to rehabilitate and reconstruct the war devastated Southsouth and Southeast through the proposed National Intervention Fund or through any other integrated platform or plan available to the Federal Government.”

    They said the several panels set up by the Federal Government, including the Oputa Panel, had approved reparation for war damages “but to date this has not been addressed.”

     

     

     

  • Ohanaeze backs Fayemi for second term

    Ohanaeze backs Fayemi for second term

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ekiti State Chapter, has said that Igbos  would support Governor John Kayode Fayemi’s  for a second term because the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer in the June 21 governorship election is transforming the state.

    According to the group’s leader, Prince Nathaniel Uzoma, Igbos in Ekiti State are partners in progress with their host community adding that they will vote for the candidate that would bring peace, stability and progress to the state.

    He said:  “There have been pressures from different quarters on the stand of Ndigbo living in Ekiti State on the forthcoming governorship election. Let me state categorically that Ndigbo has enjoyed and maintained rosy relationship with successive governments in Ekiti State, including the incumbent Governor Fayemi. Remember that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a socio-cultural organisation and not a political party, but even at that we still have the right to exercise our fundamental human rights, which include the right to vote for who we want to govern the state.

    “If a father has six children, he does not cast some away and embrace others. That is not the characteristics of a good father. A good father accommodates all his children, but when it becomes necessary settles with the one that has shown him love and care. That is our position. We want peace, stability and progress in Ekiti State. We want our interest to be upheld and protected and we will vote for the candidate that would make that possible.”