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Tag: Ohanaeze

  • Fish out perpetrators of Abia massacre, says Ohanaeze

    Fish out perpetrators of Abia massacre, says Ohanaeze

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing has appealed to security agencies to work in synergy to fish out those behind alleged killings, resulting in the discovery of over 50 bodies recently at Lokpanta cattle market, Umunneochi in Abia State.

    National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Chika Adiele, in a statement, said the group would launch a fact-finding mission into the discovery to set records straight and support efforts to stem further killings.

    The group called for an end to assassination, banditry and kidnapping in the state, assuring Governor Alex Otti of the backing of Igbo youths in his fight to rid the state of criminals.

    It restated its call for unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that his release would usher in peace “and guarantee security of lives and property of our people.”

    The statement said: “It is unacceptable to keep silent and allow these evil of monumental proportion to be swept under the carpet.

    “Nothing can further assuage our painful feelings, except facts and justice.

    “Sadly, despite military/police check points on that axis, innocent commuters are subjected to all manner of humiliating experience, while suspected herdsmen move unhindered into the bush, destroying people’s means of livelihood.

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    “We are miffed by the audacity of these mindless herdsmen and their military agents, traversing the nooks and crannies of Ala Igbo with a trail of blood of innocent people on their footpath.

    “We say to them, enough! Assassination, banditry and kidnapping must be brought to an end along Umunneochi/Isuikwuato federal constituency with immediate effect.

    “Igbo youths are brave, industrious, enterprising, peaceful and above all ready for any uncertainty. Our silence is not cowardice. Thus we hereby launch a fact finding mission into this awful discovery in order to set records straight and support ongoing efforts to stem further impasse.

    “We have kept quiet for too long, while these bandits launch monumental destruction, purely orchestrated by overzealous security personnel.”

  • Ohanaeze decries Igbo youths’ nonchalant attitude to police recruitment

    Ohanaeze decries Igbo youths’ nonchalant attitude to police recruitment

    Apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has decried the ‘disturbing’ lack of interest in joining Nigeria Police Force by Igbo youths.

    The President-General of the group, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who expressed disappointment about the nonchalant attitude shown by Igbo youths towards joining the police and other security agencies, urged Southeast governors, religious traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to intervene and halt the trend.

    In a statement he signed yesterday, Iwuanyanwu said: “I have observed with dismay the nonchalant attitude shown by youths of the Southeast towards the ongoing recruitment exercise for general duty constables of the Nigeria Police Force.

    “The available information shows that Kaduna State is leading in the online application into the Police Force with 20, 259, while Anambra State trails last with a mere 541 applications. Others include Ebonyi State with 737, Abia State, 966, Imo State, 999 and Enugu, 1036.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze decries Igbo youths’ nonchalant attitude to police recruitment

    “The lack of interest by Igbo youths towards the Nigeria Police Force is disturbing because, it is only by enlisting in the Police Force that offers the unique possibility of becoming a senior police officer in future.”

    “I hereby call on the Southeast governors led by Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers led by HRH, Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu; the States President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; the Chairman, Association of South-East Town Unions led by Chief Emeka Diwe; the Clergy and Igbo groups and social movements to use their structures to sensitise Igbo youths to embrace the opportunity provided by the ongoing recruitment exercise.”

  • Ohanaeze decries Igbo youths’ nonchalant attitude to police recruitment

    Ohanaeze decries Igbo youths’ nonchalant attitude to police recruitment

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has decried the ‘disturbing’ lack of interest in joining Nigeria Police Force recruitment by Igbo youths.

    The President-General of the group, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who expressed disappointment in the nonchalant attitude shown by Igbo youths towards joining the police and other security agencies, urged Southeast governors, religious traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to intervene and halt the trend.

    In a statement he personally signed on Monday, Iwuanyanwu said: “I have observed with dismay the nonchalant attitude shown by the youths of the South-East of Nigeria towards the ongoing recruitment exercise for General Duty Constables of the Nigeria Police Force.

    “The available information shows that Kaduna State is leading in the online application into the Police Force with 20, 259 while Anambra State trails last with a mere 541 applications. Others include Ebonyi State with 737; Abia State, 966; Imo State, 999; and Enugu, 1036.

    “The lack of interest by the Igbo youths towards the Nigeria Police Force is disturbing because it is only enlisting in the Police Force that offers the unique possibility of becoming a senior police officer in the future.

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    “I hereby call on the South-East Governors led by His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma; the Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers led by HRH, Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu; the States President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; the Chairman, Association of South-East Town Unions led by Chief Emeka Diwe; the Clergy and the various Igbo groups and social movements to use their various structures to sensitize the Igbo youths to embrace the opportunity provided by the ongoing recruitment exercise.”

  • Ohanaeze, Igbo leaders express shock over Nwabueze’s death

    Ohanaeze, Igbo leaders express shock over Nwabueze’s death

    The death of the former Secretary General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN, has thrown the entire region into grief.

    The apex body had described his death at 92 as unfortunate and a huge loss to the Southeast and indeed, Nigeria.

    Also, some other prominent Igbo leaders who confirmed his death, including his kinsmen, are not happy.

    Speaking with The Nation on the phone Monday, October 30, the Ohanaeze Vice President (Southeast), Ichie Damian Okeke-Ogene, said Igbo and Nigeria had lost a gem in Nwabueze.

    According to Okeke-Ogene: “It’s so sad and unfortunate that we lost Prof. Nwabueze, SAN at this moment of our life. The defender of the defenceless and apostle of a corrupt free society.

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    “He will be missed not only as Ohanaeze Secretary General, one the founders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo or the Igbo people, but the entire country will miss his fatherly advice,” the Igbo leader said

    Also, confirming his death, a member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Ogene, said it’s painful for him and his constituents.

    In a text, the federal lawmaker said the former Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretary-General died on Sunday.

    Similarly, the President General of Atani town Union, (his community), Arinze Nzeli, also confirmed the constitutional lawyer’s death.

    Nzeli said the eminent legal icon passed on in his Lagos residence, at about 4 pm on Sunday.

    He said the eminent legal luminary had been sick for some time before the unfortunate incident.

    Ben Nwabueze, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was born in 1931 and hailed from Atani, Ogbaru local government Anambra State.

    The Constitutional Legal Icon, equally, served as Minister of Education.

  • Ohanaeze youths deny calls for Imo election boycott

    Ohanaeze youths deny calls for Imo election boycott

    Ohanaeze ndigbo Youth Wing has distanced itself from calls for “no election” threats in Imo state on November 11, urging youths in the state to come out en mass to exercise their franchise and protect their votes.

    It also expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver free, fair, and credible polls.

    Speaking to newsmen on Monday, October 23, in Awka, national leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, argued that it was only through elections that credible leaders would take charge of the administration of the zone that would emerge.

    He said: “If we do not participate in elections, how do we elect credible leaders who will take charge of the Southeast?

    “We call on the youths of Imo to come out on November 11 to exercise their franchise and protect their votes.

    “We are also confident that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will do its utmost best to ensure that the election reflects the true wishes of the Imo people.”

    Okpalaezeukwu also underscored the importance of the Igbo Youths Peace and Security Summit planned by the Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth wing later this year.

    Read Also: IPOB warns Ohanaeze Ndigbo over call for restructuring

    He added: “Sometime in November this year, we are organizing the Igbo Youths Peace and Security Summit as one of the avenues to achieving the desired goal of Peace and Security in the Southeast. We want to achieve a viable window for adequate communication among youths in Igboland.

    “We have identified communication as a key step to drive an idea or initiative and we must continue to pursue that to reform the mindset of our youths towards healthy competition, towards avoidance of all social vices that are capable of damaging the future of the youths.

    “All we are looking at achieving is strategic communication that will reform our youths and make us start participating in plans and policies for good governance in the southeast.”

  • Abia holds commendationservice for late Ohanaeze President-General Irukwu

    Abia holds commendationservice for late Ohanaeze President-General Irukwu

    • Ohanaeze adopts him into hall of fame

    The Abia Government, in collaboration with the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday held a commendation service in honour of the renowned Professor of Insurance, Prof. Joe Irukwu.

    Irukwu, who hailed from Item in Bende Local Government Area of the state, died on July 7 at the age of 89.

    The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, formally received Irukwu’s remains at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, venue of the service and also decorated his casket with Ohanaeze uniform.

    In a tribute, Iwuanyanwu proclaimed Irukwu a “Hero of Igboland”, whose accomplishments in life were not only enviable and inspiring but worthy of emulation by all Igbo sons and daughters.

    He further said that Irukwu’s name would be in the Igbo Hall of Fame, in recognition of his attainment in life right from his days as a youth.

    The Ohaneze chieftain further said that Irukwu’s life and time posed a serious challenge to contemporary Igbo youths.

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    He paid special tribute to the deceased for his achievements as President-General of the organisation, which, according to him, brought immeasurable honour and respect to Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    Also, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, described  Irukwu as a seasoned administrator and selfless statesman that contributed immensely to advancing the cause of Ndigbo during his life time.

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, further described Irukwu’s demise as a huge loss to the state and nation at large.

    Otti said that the deceased made impactful contributions to the growth of the insurance and legal profession.

    He said that the deceased was the pioneer President of Nigeria Rail Insurance Corporation and the first Professor of Insurance in Nigeria and later became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

  • Iwuanyanwu, Ohanaeze and new Southeast

    Iwuanyanwu, Ohanaeze and new Southeast

    Two Saturdays ago and last Thursday, Southeast leaders embarked on critical self-examination of peace, security and development in their region. It will of course not be the first time such a forum would be organised, but they are right to keep doing it over and over again until they get it right. The September 23 examination was in fact a monologue by Ohanaeze Ndigbo president Emmanuel Anyanwu who briefed the media on the September 28 and 29 Igbo Day celebration. Like others before him, he was customarily long on diagnosis, but frightfully short on solutions. He also laced his discourse with a lot of sentiments without saying exactly how they would check the anomie ravaging the Southeast. Igboland is of course not the only region destabilised by seemingly irresoluble and autogenous conflicts. The South-South blazed the trail under the cover of Niger Delta militancy decades ago. It was followed by the Northeast under Boko Haram, and soon too, the Northwest under banditry. With the exception of perhaps the South-South, none of the other regions has really been pacified, with all sorts of unproductive conflict resolution mechanisms thrown into the mix, including the famously termed kinetic and non-kinetic measures flying all over the discourse space.

    Chief Iwuanyanwu means well, and deserves to be encouraged and supported. He was quite emotional when he spoke with the media on his perspective on the Indigenous People of Biafra-inspired mayhem convulsing the Southeast. “I’ll take a non-kinetic approach that will require the cooperation of everybody,” he sighed.  “I’ll talk peace.  I am ready to lay down my life to see that there is peace in Igboland. I’ll go to Finland and everywhere to see that there is peace in Igboland. I’ll go and cry to them. I pray to God that I achieve success. I have decided that as a father, I am tired of the death of my children…” It is not clear what he hoped to achieve with his display of emotions over a problem that has virtually metastasized like Boko Haram and banditry, having been left to fester for far too long.

    Perhaps the Ohanaeze president said so much more, and the media merely abbreviated his contributions. However, eventually, he addressed what seemed to be the socio-economic background of the crisis, though he hemmed and hawed considerably over it. Said he: “Each time I hear anybody killed, I feel very sad. I feel very sad too because those of them who are joining whatever it is they are doing, it is because some of them are hungry. Some of them are unemployed. I am not saying that hunger and unemployment should make somebody become a criminal, but not everyone has the capacity to endure hardship or hunger…It is good for the federal government to have peace in the South East. It won’t pay them to have bloodshed. Because you see, bloodshed doesn’t pay anybody. So whatever sacrifices they make to bring the non-kinetic approach which saves killings and bloodshed will be useful and that is what I want to do…I am going to reach all these people by any means and I will talk for peace. I will beg them. I will even give them my life. If they want to take my life I am ready to surrender.”

    Read Also: Imo killings: Insecurity has overwhelmed southeast – Ohanaeze

    Chief Iwuanyanwu was sensibly hesitant about identifying hunger as a predisposing factor. Militancy in the Southeast is essentially indistinguishable from IPOB, far more than the much tamer Ralph Uwazuruike-led Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). It is indeed unlikely that for the considerably industrious people of the Southeast, a people too proud to beg for favours or constitute themselves into a burden on anyone, hunger can be prioritised as a factor. Instead, they are more likely seduced by the nostalgic message of Igbo renaissance encapsulated in their republican worldview and years of national ascendancy, not to talk of their notional exceptionalism first broached and promoted by Nnamdi Azikwe and the Zikist newspapers. IPOB took that notional world to the stratosphere, and has sustained it by lore and violence. Chief Iwuanyanwu was circumlocutory about the contributions of IPOB to the tragedy afflicting Igboland and disrupting the advance and expansion of commerce and industry. He should take the bull by the horns. If the region continues to be escapist in dealing with the real factors promoting unease in their homeland, but seems fixated on overreaching themselves in other regions, little will be achieved. Igbo leaders’ primary area of responsibility is the Southeast; they must tackle the crisis bedeviling the region boldly, bravely, and, most importantly, intelligently.

    In her contribution rendered virtually to last Thursday’s Southeast Economic and Security Summit in Imo State, former Finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also sermonised about healing the divisions in the region and helping the Southeast to regain focus. Said she: “We have lost focus. We have lost sight of our biggest community assets. We are fragmented as a people.  We don’t support each other, instead, we attack and undermine each other.  We are too individualistic. An individual can be good but better when we come together with others as a body.” Disunity is hardly the chief problem of the Igbo. Their town unions all over Nigeria attest to their remarkable and formidable single-mindedness, to the point of becoming the envy of their hosts. They have leveraged on those unions to forge great economic and sometimes political agenda. Indeed, contrary to Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s thesis, Igbo individualism has been sensibly managed and retooled into a force for economic progress.

    What ails the Southeast, beginning with MASSOB and now elevated and accentuated by IPOB, is the abject failure of leadership in the region and the abandonment of example and direction by those entrusted with imbuing the Igbo with a sense of purpose and direction in order to position them within the national agenda. Igbo leaders miscalculated badly in subordinating themselves and the Southeast agenda to the dangerous nihilism of the unqualified, unideological and megalomaniacal Nnamdi Kanu. Not only did they refuse to interrogate what they carefreely regarded as the marginalisation of the Southeast, they also badly and shockingly proved inept at appreciating the dynamics of Nigerian politics, particularly the issue of winning the presidency. After decades of miscalculation, the Southwest finally experienced, through the politics of MKO Abiola, the epiphany of building national coalitions as a prerequisite to winning the presidency. President Bola Tinubu simply borrowed from Chief Abiola’s playbook, while also sensibly rallying the Yoruba leadership coalition to thwart and defeat the resurgent nationalism of Sunday Adeyemo, alias Sunday Igboho. While the Southeast rode on the back of the IPOB tiger and ended in its belly, the Southwest put down the tiger and epically staked its claim to the presidency.

    Until the regions now infernally locked in the viselike grip of insurgency and militancy come to terms with the real factors predisposing them to crisis and destabilisation, and abandon their escapist and sentimental ratiocinations, the chaos they connived at will probably outlast the present generation. The Northwest is oscillating between negotiations and counterinsurgency operations; the Northeast is enjoying some reprieve from insurgency due to internecine war between Boko Haram and ISWAP; and the dispirited and bloodied Northwest is at a loss what to do with the bandits they had mollycoddled for years. The regions all manifest the failure of leadership, especially with too many unqualified but popular politicians put in state saddles. The Southwest may not be the archetype of progress and development, nor a perfect example of state stability, but the other regions need to borrow a leaf from its playbook. If the Southeast is to emerge from its self-imposed stupor, it must start by acknowledging its failings and shortcomings.

  • Ohanaeze, governors not at war over Igbo Day celebration

    Ohanaeze, governors not at war over Igbo Day celebration

    Apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has said it is not clashing with Southeast governors over the Igbo Day celebration and Southeast Summit slated for the same days.

    Information shows that the well-publicised Igbo Day 2023 celebration is scheduled to be held in Enugu, on September 28 and 29, while the Southeast Summit being organised by the five Southeast governors is expected to hold in Owerri, Imo State capital, the same period.

    The clash in date has since caused confusion among watchers of development in the Southeast.

    But reacting to the seaming confusion, President General, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said the two events would not clash as the governors would be the chief hosts in both events.

    He said both events were mutually complementary and had the approval and support of Southeast governors and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

    Iwuanyanwu said the leadership of the two groups is intentional to ensure the events hold same time.

    He said: “Our attention has been drawn to some misinformation capable of generating confusion regarding the concurrent hosting of Igbo Day 2023 and the Southeast Summit on Security and Economy. “It has, therefore, become necessary to make the following clarification for the avoidance of doubt.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze decries negative profiling of Ebonyi indigenes

    “Both events are very dear to Ndigbo and the Southeast geo-political zone. This is why we have decided to host both events concurrently to ensure massive attendance by our people.

    “Accordingly, the programmes for both events have been structured to accommodate the schedules of our governors and our eminent sons and daughters who are travelling from far and near to attend the events.

    “On the 28th, all of us will be in Owerri for the first day of the summit, which starts by 10am. By 4pm the same day, the first programme of Igbo Day 2023, a public lecture, will be held at the Old Governors Lodge, Enugu.

    “The summit will continue in Owerri on Friday the 29th with breakaway sessions on security, economy and related issues by only invited stakeholders, professionals, technocrats and experts.

    While on the same 29th the grand finale of Igbo Day 2023 will continue in Enugu for all other Igbo sons and daughters.

    “It is to be noted that the date ’29th’ of September is of historical significance to Ndigbo and is sacrosanct for Igbo Day Celebration. The governors of the Southeast, who are the hosts of both events, are working hand in hand with the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for the success of both events.

    “We are in full agreement and concord to host both events concurrently and not on two different dates to ensure massive attendance by our people.”

    Iwuanyanwu said Ndigbo were taking advantage of the closeness of the five states to one another in the Southeast to host the two important events concurrently.

    “In fact, every state in the Southeast is within two hours driving distance from each other. That is a strong evidence of our common history, destiny and oneness, which these two events are re-enforcing.

    “It is, therefore, my pleasure to welcome all our invited sons and daughters, in-laws, friends and partners to the Southeast Summit on Security and Economy and Igbo Day 2023 on the 28th and 29th of September, 2023,” he said.

  • Ohanaeze decries negative profiling of Ebonyi indigenes

    Ohanaeze decries negative profiling of Ebonyi indigenes

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has admonished Nigerians to stop profiling Ebonyi State negatively due to the criminal activities of a few indigenes.

    The President of the Ebonyi chapter of the organisation, Peter Mbam, gave the admonition in a statement in Abakaliki at the weekend.

    Mbam was reacting to a video circulating on the social media, which showed criminal suspects in Anambra State, alleged to be Ebonyi State indigenes.

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    He said the criminality of a few individuals should not be used to profile Ebonyi or other states, negatively.

    “The state chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership is consulting other states of the Southeast to stop profiling Ebonyi negatively in this guise.

    “Ebonyi indigenes operate legitimately in these states and should therefore not be seen as criminals,” the statement said.

  • Bayelsa poll: Ohanaeze endorses Diri for second term

    Bayelsa poll: Ohanaeze endorses Diri for second term

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Bayelsa state chapter, has endorsed Bayelsa state Governor Douye Diri for a second term in office.

    The group gave the endorsement after engaging in a solidarity march to rally support for Diri and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.

    The Ohanaeze leadership said though the group is apolitical, the Igbos in Bayelsa had resolved to work with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his running mate in the forthcoming poll due to their track record of achievements since assumption of office almost four years ago.

    Speaking with reporters on Saturday, September 15, shortly after their meeting and solidarity march, the National Financial Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing (Worldwide), Hon. Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, said the unity of the Igbo in the state was paramount.

    He noted that though there was a leadership crisis that had hitherto rocked the state chapter of the group, the national secretariat of the Ohanaze Ndigbo had waded in and therefore accorded recognition to the Ekwem Remitus-led chapter of the apex Igbo group in the state upon fulfilling the mandatory requirements for registration.

    Arthur-Ugwa stated: “As a national Executive of the Ohanaze Ndigbo Youth Wing (Worldwide) and the Southsouth Coordinator of the Ohanaze Ndigbo Youth Wing, I told the leadership of the body here in the state that I would not work with any unregistered group or affiliate body of the Ohanaze Ndigbo until they’re registered with a proof.

    “However, while Mr. Onuma Johnson’s led faction of the Ohanaze Ndigbo went about parading itself without registration even after being suspended, the other group led by Mr. Ekwem Remitus was able to secure registration from the national secretariat of the Ohanaze Ndigbo, and so I will like to work with them as the authentic Ohanaeze body.

    “I have been suing for peace among the Igbo in Bayelsa and other places across the country. I took the matter to the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and he had been doing all within his powers to bring lasting peace and unity to the Ohanaze Ndigbo, Bayelsa State Chapter.

    “Our unity as an ethnic group is important to us as a people. I have always called on all to work together for a peaceful and united Ohanaze Ndigbo in the state.”

    The body also endorsed Barrister Agama Vitus Okonkwo as the chairman of the 2023 Igbo Day celebration in the state, urging all the Igbos in Bayelsa to come out en masse to celebrate the event with pomp.

    In his acceptance speech, Okonkwo promised to give the group a befitting Igbo Day celebration, saying the event would be held on the 29th of September, 2023 in the state.

    He advised Igbos to be wary of anybody or group that came under the guise of an Igbo Day celebration to collect levies or demand money from any person of Igbo extraction in the state.

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    Also, the chairman of Igbo Traders Association, Bayelsa State Chapter, who also doubles as the Chairman of Phone Village, Yenagoa, Prince Williams Eze, and the Ohanaze Ndigbo Women Wing Coordinator, Gbarain Clan, Mrs. Chika Okonkwo, had restated their continued commitment to the unity and progress of the Igbo ethnic nationality in the state.

    In their separate responses while fielding questions from newsmen during the meeting of the group, they thanked Hon. Arthur-Ugwa and others for ensuring a peaceful resolution of the lingering crises in the state chapter of the Ohanaze Ndigbo.

    They also called on Onuma Johnson’s faction of the group to toe the path of peaceful coexistence for the Igbo in Bayelsa to speak in one voice and contribute their quota in the development of the thief host state.

    They also aligned with the resolution of the leadership of the body in Bayelsa to vote massively for Diri and Ewhrudjakpo during the governorship election in the state.