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Tag: Ohaneze

  • Ohaneze warns against excluding Igbo from Rivers politics

    Ohaneze warns against excluding Igbo from Rivers politics

    The Rivers State chapter of the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide has warned against excluding Igbo people from the politics of the state.

    The chapter president of the group, Livingstone Wechie, in a statement to commemorate the World Igbo Adoration and Thanksgiving Day boasted that the Igbos had the largest voting bloc in the state.

    Wechie said, “The Rivers State chapter President cautioned against any orientation that will isolate Ndi-Igbo from the politics or economy of Rivers State. It is not in dispute that Igbos have the largest voting block in Rivers state as well as dominate the economic lifeline of the state.

    “We maintain that one of the most strategic ways to honour our fallen heroes and survivors of the civil war is to leverage on our entrepreneurial mastery and use our population to influence the politics of the state positively”.

    He appealed to Igbo people to rethink their approach to politics saying the ethnic group possessed the potential to attain any political height of interest in the country. 

    Wechie called on Igbos in Rivers State to see the current trend and business space in the state as a golden opportunity to reposition themselves in the Nigerian project.

    Read Also: Ohaneze Ndigbo condemns children’s torture in Rivers 

    He said: “It is no doubt that the Igbo question is still unanswered by the Nigerian state and remains the main unresolved question in contemporary black Africa today. 

    “We seize this medium to thank God for making Igbos great. Igbos are arguably the largest black stock on Earth. The slave trade escalated our global spread. 

    “Calabar was the largest slave port in Africa and Igbos were the highest victims exported to various countries which is why we have indigenous Igbos in many countries of the world. This to us is a strength and not a disadvantage. We urge government at all levels to engage Ndi-Igbo for a purposeful future”.

    Wechie sued for peace in Rivers saying the state remained the safest haven for Igbo investment.

    “As we invite Ndi-Igbo from all over the world to pour in their highest investment into Rivers State because the Atlantic is open to us, we assure the government of Rivers State of the greatest support of Igbos for the development of the State”, he said. 

  • APC congratulates new Ohaneze president, Azuta-Mbata

    APC congratulates new Ohaneze president, Azuta-Mbata

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Sen. John Azuta-Mbata on his election as the 13th President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.

    Mr Felix Morka, APC National Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja also congratulated the outgoing President-General of the organisation, Chief Fidelis  Chukwu.

    Chukwu completed the tenure of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who died on died on July 25 at the age of 82.

    Morka said the election of Azuta-Mbata, who hails from Rivers in South-South region, marked a milestone in the organisation’s history.

    “Sen. Azuta-Mbata has a stellar public service record, particularly as a two-term senator who championed the welfare and interest of his constituents and legislated for good and effective governance in the country.

    Read Also: Rivers pushes for Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo leadership, begins consultations

    “We are confident that Sen. Azuta-Mbata will bring to bear his wealth of experience in providing a mature, purposeful and patriotic leadership for Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    “We assure the new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of our party’s readiness to explore areas of partnership towards advancing development, shared prosperity, unity, peace and progress of our great country,” Morka said.

    He wished Azuta-Mbata and the new executive of Ohanaeze Ndigbo a successful and remarkable tenure in the fulfillment of the organisation’s mandates.

  • Massive boost for Rivers Igbo’s quest for Ohaneze President-General seat

    Massive boost for Rivers Igbo’s quest for Ohaneze President-General seat

    The Rivers State Igbos’ aspiration to produce the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, on January 10, 2025 has received a major boost with the endorsement of key stakeholders who insist on upholding the constitution. 

    Notable traditional rulers and members of Ime Obi Ohanaeze, including ex-Secretary Generals from Anambra, Enugu, Delta, and Ebonyi, have all lined up to confirm that Rivers will be given its constitutional right in accordance with Article 11 of Ohanaeze’s constitution, which ensures that the position of President-General is rotated amongst the seven member States of Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Igbo-speaking areas of Rivers and Delta.

    According to former Deputy Secretary-General  of Ohanaeze, Chief Uche Okwukwu: “There should be an intellectual discourse, a robust one, to first make it clear, and after that, a communique will be issued , establishing the right of Rivers Igbo to produce the next President-General.”

    The call for Rivers State to produce the next President-General follows the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, the the 11th President-General of Ohanaeze NdiIgbo, on July 25, 2024 at 81.

    In a related development, the Ijaw National Congress (INC)  has reacted to the communique by the convener of Ogbakor Ndi-Igbo na Rivers State, Livingstone Wechie. 

     Uechie had issued a communique from a stakeholders meeting held on Monday 18th November 2024 in Port Harcourt, in which he announced the preparedness of Rivers Ndi-Igbo to produce the President-General. 

     INC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha warned the Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo to steer clear of Rivers State. 

    The group declared that the Ijaws believe in one Nigeria but stated that, if the need arises to part, the Ijaws will not cede to any ethnic group, whether the Ohanaeze Ndigbo or the Afenifere, but will remain on their own.

    He explained that the claim by the Igbo apex group that the entire Rivers State is part and parcel of Igbo land, making the state one of the statutory member states of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is false.

    The INC spokesman noted that the Ijaw remain a majority ethnic group in Rivers State, with 10 local government areas.

    Read Also: Rivers pushes for Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo leadership, begins consultations

    However, reacting to INC’s statement, the convener of Ọgbakọr Ndigbo na Rivers, Livingstone Wechie said: “We believe the Ijaw National Congress when they say their intent is to foster peaceful coexistence, and we share the same commitment to harmony. However, we must respectfully clarify that our demand for the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not a matter that concerns the Ijaw nation. 

    “Ndigbo have no interest in encroaching on territories belonging to other groups. We have been neighbours and friends to the ijaw for centuries. They know our lands and our people as well as we know their lands and their people. Anyone who seeks to blur these clear lines is either uninformed or engaged in mischief.”

    “We must always remember that Rivers State is a multicultural and multi-ethnic state, with various indigenous groups, distinct identities and kindred ties. Our historical and biological connections run deep and are not barriers to peaceful co-existence, but rather propellants for the practise of mutual respect. 

    “Ultimately our efforts will ensure inclusivity and shared prosperity among all ethnic nationalities in Rivers State and beyond. We believe there is indeed a brighter future for all Nigerians when we practise  restraint, mutual respect and tolerance.”

  • Rivers pushes for Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo leadership, begins consultations

    Rivers pushes for Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo leadership, begins consultations

    Igbo people of Rivers State origin under the auspices of the Ogbakor Ndi-Igbo Na Rivers have expressed their readiness to lead the apex Igbo umbrella  organisation, the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide.

    Already the stakeholders were said to have commenced nationwide consultations of critical Igbo leaders to back them in producing  the next President-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo.

     It was gathered that despite being a statutory member state of Ohaneze, Rivers had yet to lead the organisation.

    Rising from their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the stakeholders in a communiqué signed by the Convener, Ogbakor Ndi-Igbo Na Rivers, Livingstone Wechie, insisted that it was the right of Rivers to produce the next President-General of Ohaneze.

     The communiqué was also signed by the President of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo in Rivers, Dr. Lucky .A. Ekeji, Prof Steve Wordu

    Dimm Uche Okwukwu, Eze Fyneface Amaechi, Chief Jackson Omenazu and High Chief Igo Okparamma among others.

    Read Also: Ohaneze Ndigbo youths move to immortalise Iwuanyanwu

    The stakeholders said: “That pursuant to Article 11 of the Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Constitution, it is granted to Rivers State as of right, to produce the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide come January 10, 2025.

    “This is in keeping with the constitutional rotation of the office of the President-General of the apex organisation of Ndi-Igbo among the seven states.

    “Rivers State is fully ready to take up this mantle to lead Ndi-Igbo Worldwide. Our sons and daughters are poised to actualise this statutory and historic assignment for the well-being and development of Ndi-Igbo all over the world”.

    The stakeholders listed Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Oyigbo, Ikwerre, Emohua, Etche, Omuma, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Ahaoda East and Ahoada West as local government areas, which are direct members of Ohaneze in Rivers.

    “We have supported other states to produce the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide from inception along with other offices and our allegiance has remained unshaken,” they said.

    They recalled that Rivers State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide in the time past produced the Deputy Secretary-General, National Financial Secretary, Secretary-General and the Deputy President-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo among others.

     They said: “Now, therefore we appeal to Ndi-Igbo all over the world to stand by the Constitution of Ohanaeze and ensure that a free, fair, transparent and credible election is conducted come January 2025 to elect national officers, President-General of Rivers extraction inclusive.

    “We strongly believe that a strict adherence to the Constitution will bring about a harmonious, peaceful and prosperous Ohanaeze now and in the future, particularly now that we as Ndi-Igbo face existential threats by internal and external forces opposed to our unity, survival and development.”

    Also, a Pan Igbo group, Anyi Anyi,  proposed a symposium jointly with Ogbakor Ndi-Igbo na Rivers to discuss a wide range of issues bordering on the choice of a new leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    The National Coordinator of Anyi Anyi, Mr Anthony Okolo, said: “This fact must not under any circumstance be compromised or undermined as doing so will eclipse the Igbo identity in Rivers State.”

    Okolo proposed that the symposium should take place on December 7, 2024 and advocated wide sensitisation and consultation in the buildup to the symposium.

  • Rivers pushes for Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo leadership, begins consultations

    Rivers pushes for Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo leadership, begins consultations

    Igbo people of Rivers State origin under the auspices of the Ogbakor Ndi-Igbo Na Rivers have expressed their readiness to lead the famous Igbo umbrella organisation, the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide.

    The stakeholders were said to have commenced nationwide consultations with critical Igbo leaders to back them in producing the next President-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo.

    It was gathered that despite being a statutory member state of Ohaneze, Rivers had yet to lead the organisation.

    Rising from their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the stakeholders in a communique signed by the Convener, Ogbakor Ndi-Igbo Na Rivers, Livingstone Wechie, insisted that it was the right of Rivers to produce the next President-General of Ohaneze.

    The communique was also signed by the President of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo in Rivers, Dr. Lucky .A. Ekeji, Prof Steve Wordu

    Dimm Uche Okwukwu, Eze Fyneface Amaechi, Chief Jackson Omenazu and High Chief Igo Okparamma among others.

    The stakeholders said: “That pursuant to Article 11 of the Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Constitution, it is granted to Rivers State as of right, to produce the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide come January 10, 2025.

    “This is in keeping with the constitutional rotation of the office of the President-General of the apex organisation of Ndi-Igbo among the seven states.

    “Rivers State is fully ready to take up this mantle to lead Ndi-Igbo Worldwide. Our sons and daughters are poised to actualize this statutory and historic assignment for the well-being and development of Ndi-Igbo all over the world.”

    The stakeholders listed Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Oyigbo, Ikwerre, Emohua, Etche, Omuma, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Ahaoda East, and Ahoada West as local government areas, which are direct members of Ohaneze in Rivers.

    “We have supported other states to produce the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide from Inception along with other offices and our allegiance has remained unshaken”, they said.

    They recalled that the Rivers State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide in the time past produced the Deputy Secretary-General, National Financial Secretary, Secretary-General, and the Deputy President-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo among others.

    They said: “Now, therefore we appeal to Ndi-Igbo all over the world to stand by the Constitution of Ohanaeze and ensure that a free, fair, transparent, and credible election is conducted come January 2025 to elect National officers, President-General of Rivers extraction inclusive.

    Read Also: Ohaneze Ndigbo youths move to immortalise Iwuanyanwu

    “We strongly believe that a strict adherence to the Constitution will bring about a harmonious, peaceful, and prosperous Ohanaeze now and in the future, particularly now that we as Ndi-Igbo face existential threats by internal and external forces opposed to our unity, survival, and development”.

    Also, a Pan Igbo group, Anyi Anyi, proposed a symposium jointly with Ogbakor Ndi-Igbo na Rivers to discuss a wide range of issues bordering on the choice of a new leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    The National Coordinator of Anyi Anyi, Mr Anthony Okolo, said: “This fact must not under any circumstance be compromised or undermined as doing so will eclipse the Igbo identity in Rivers State”

    Okolo proposed that the symposium should take place on December 7, 2024, and advocated wide sensitisation and consultation in the buildup to the symposium.

  • Ohaneze tells Igbo youths to stay away from planned protest

    Ohaneze tells Igbo youths to stay away from planned protest

    Ohaneze Ndigbo has asked Igbo youths across Nigeria to stay away from the nationwide protest planned to commence on Thursday, August 1.

    The newly inaugurated executives of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Youths Wing, Kaduna state chapter, made the call while addressing journalists shortly after their inauguration in Kaduna at the weekend.

    Vice President (Abia) of the Association, Apostle Promise Nmadu said that the criminals may hijack the protest and cause mayhem to get the opportunity to destroy and loot.

    He, however, advised the Igbo youths to go about their normal businesses or stay in their safe spaces during the period of the 10-day protest.

    Also speaking, Vice President 1, Chief Kingsley Chinedu said: “We are using this Medium to call on all Igbo youths to stay off the planned protest of August 1 2024 as directed by our national body, while we are encouraged to go about our normal legitimate duties peacefully.”

    Speaking on their inauguration, Chief Chinedu said: “We the Ohaneze Ndigbo Youths Wing Kaduna State Chapter, embody this spirit of resilience and determination. Our leader, High Chief Amb Christopher Columbus Onukwugha Geoman, inspires us with his quote: “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

    “We stand for unity, progress, and the empowerment of Igbo youths in Kaduna state. As we begin this new chapter, we extend our hand of fellowship to other Igbo-speaking groups, embracing our diversity and promoting true brotherhood. Together, we shall speak with one voice for the good of Ndigbo in Kaduna state.

    “We pledge our loyalty to our President High Chief Christopher Columbus Onukwugha Geoman Ochinawata1 and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo,” recognizing their visionary guidance. We are committed to working tirelessly for the betterment of our people, under the direction of our Youth President.

    Read Also: Kano students kick against planned protest

    *We want to in a special way recognize the man who against all odds revived the Ohaneze Ndigbo group in Kaduna state after many years of being in the woods, Chief Barr Ac Amaechi, the President Ohaneze Ndigbo 19 Northern States and Abuja.

    “We also want to felicitate with the Leadership of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Kaduna State Chapter led by Chief Barr Churchill Aniekwena KSJ, not forgetting the Pioneer Youth leader of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Kaduna State Chapter and Now the Ezeigbo Chikun Chiefdom Igwe Morrison Ikpeamaeze, Ezediohamma 1, Ezeigbo II Chikun Chiefdom. We implore you all to cooperate with this vibrant youth executives to move Ohaneze Ndigbo, Especially the Igbo Youths of Kaduna Foward, as wished by our late Father and President General, the late Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu.

    “To our guests, we thank you for your presence and pray for your safe return. We covet your prayers as we embark on this leadership journey, entrusted to us for the glory of God,” he said.

  • Ohaneze denies planning to apologise over 1966 coup

    Ohaneze denies planning to apologise over 1966 coup

    The President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu,  has categorically denied allegations made by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that he intended to apologize to the Fulanis for the killing of Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa during the 1966 coup.

    Iwuanyanwu who spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital at the weekend said that it was unfair and unjust to accuse the Igbos of being responsible for the coup and that Ohaneze Ndigbo would never apologize for something they did not do.

    “I was shocked to read a voicemail message which was circulating all over the country and all over the world alleging that we held a meeting in Enugu and that the meeting was poorly attended where the decision was taken that we are going to Sokoto to apologise to the Fulanis over the death of Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa and other Northerners.”

    Iwuanyanwu said. “They abused me and insulted me. I read it and I was sad. I don’t expect that somebody or a Christian will come out and tell a completely false story against me. I never said anything like that.”

    He explained that the recent retreat in Enugu was actually a meeting of committees established for the development of Igboland and that the issue of apologizing to the Fulanis was never discussed.

    Read Also: How technology with agile mindset can improve Nigeria’s electoral process

    He emphasized that the Igbos were not responsible for the 1966 coup, which he described as a purely military affair.

     “Igbos didn’t kill anybody or leader, but the Igbos were killed. So, as far as Ohaneze Ndigbo is concerned, Igbo did not have any business with that coup, that coup was purely a military affair like other coups that occurred in the country,” he said.

    Iwuanyanwu expressed his disappointment and pain over the lies told against him and stated that he had always worked to bring dignity to the Igbos and Nigerians.

    He explained why the group did not invite the Southeast governors to the event.

    “We didn’t invite the governors because we felt that the governors are too busy to leave their state affairs to attend committee meetings,, but it was well attended.  We had over 200 people at the meeting which was televised,” he said, adding “Somebody told lies that nobody came, in fact I received congratulatory messages from all over the world.”

  • Ohanaeze chieftain defends FG’s decision to relocate CBN to Lagos

    Ohanaeze chieftain defends FG’s decision to relocate CBN to Lagos

    An elder statesman and prominent member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, has justified the federal government’s choice to move certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Lagos, saying that this decision is intended to minimize time and expenses.

    Speaking to the Nation on Thursday, January 25, Chief Uwazuruike, a lawyer, said the action would streamline processes, improve efficiency and have a significant impact on the banking sector in the country.

    He said the administrative action of relocating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) department to a more convenient location is a step in the right direction.

    Uwazuruike stressed: “This move is intended to reduce time and expenditure in the performance of statutory duty, rather than being a relocation to Lagos, as some have argued.

    “The relocation is expected to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and have a significant impact on the banking sector in Nigeria.”

    He cited the CBN governor’s periodic meetings with bank chief executives as a key reason for the relocation.

    Uwazuruike noted: “The new location in Lagos will allow for more convenient access, enabling 10 CBN executives to efficiently meet with over 200 banks.”

    He emphasized that the relocation is intended to facilitate the CBN’s operations and enhance its oversight capabilities, particularly in the banking sector.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze restates support for Tinubu’s fight against corruption

     “Additionally, the relocation will facilitate CBN supervisors’ ability to conduct unannounced visits to banks, enhancing their oversight capabilities,” he said.

    He stressed that the decision should not be overly politicized and should be seen as a step towards improving operational effectiveness rather than a purely political move.

    He added: “Everything is not politics. For instance, the international oil coys should move their main offices or head offices to the Niger Delta.

    “The decision-making process is easier when the top people are conversant with the situation on the ground. So, the unfolding opposition should be moderated instead of overheating the polity.”

  • PISE-P launch: Deputy Speaker not on war path with Southeast governors, Ohaneze

    PISE-P launch: Deputy Speaker not on war path with Southeast governors, Ohaneze

    House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has denied reports that he was on a war oath with Southeast governors and Ohaneze Ndi Igbo over the control of the region’s political space.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, described the reports as unfortunate, stressing that they showed a lack of patriotism and absence of support for the pursuit of peace in the region.

    It reads: “Ordinarily, the Office of the Deputy Speaker would not have batted an eyelid over such claptrap of a publication that lacks simple journalistic ethos of attribution to a story. But because we owe the unsuspecting members of the public the huge responsibility of protecting them, this rebuttal, then, becomes very necessary.

    “To set the record straight, Kalu is not looking for a fiefdom to exert his control over. For those who know him, he is only passionate about the peace, unity, growth and development of his native region.

    Read Also; 163,878 Nigerians enjoyed FG transportation rebate in 10 days

    “As a true son of Igbo land, Kalu is very much concerned and greatly distressed by the security challenges that had bedevilled the Southeast for a while now.

    “What is expected of any son of the soil and the occupant of an office such as his is to galvanise the people and deploy the influence of his office to finding the panacea for the travails of the zone. And this is precisely what Kalu has done and still doing with Peace In the Southeast Project (PISE-P).

    “Needless to say that the launch of the novel, noble, and bold idea altruistically initiated by Kalu, was a huge success.”

    “Before the event, Kalu toured every nook and cranny of the country, including his Southeast, selling PISE-P to everyone.

    “So, for an event that was eventually attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima; the Senate President, ably represented by his deputy, Senator Jubrin Barau; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajideen Abbas; the governors of the five eastern states, including the Chairman of (the region’s) governors’ forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, who represented the traditional rulers from the South; the Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Ado Bayero, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Mohammed Sa’adu Abubakar III; the President-General of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, amid an array of stellar personalities from different political, cultural, business and religiously backgrounds, it then defies every logical reasoning to say the talk for peace did not get the desired attention.

    “It will be mischievous on the part of the newspaper and the author of the story to feign ignorance of the fact that Governor Hope Uzodinma, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, and the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo President-General, Chief Iwuanyanwu, who are prominent sons of Igbo land, made a declaration and took turns to eulogise Kalu for the initiative…”

  • Soludo’s N2bn to 5000 youths will curb crime in Anambra – Ohaneze youth leader

    Soludo’s N2bn to 5000 youths will curb crime in Anambra – Ohaneze youth leader

    Acting National Youth Leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, has described the distribution of N2billion grants to 5,000 graduates of the ‘One Youth Two Skills’ initiative of Governor Chukwuma Soludo as a giant step towards fighting crime and insecurity in Anambra State.

    Soludo, during the Graduation, Certification, and Start-up Grants Ceremony weekend, presented varying sums of grants, ranging from N500,000 to N1,000,000 to the graduates trained across various skills under the entrepreneurship and apprenticeship systems.

    Okpalaezeukwu in a statement on Sunday, October 29, argued that engagement of the youths in gainful ventures had automatically made them unavailable for crime and other vices.

    He said: “Anambra State under Governor Soludo has again recorded a major milestone by this initiative. Recall that he had in his manifesto, promised to raise 1,000 youth millionaires annually.

    “These graduates, with the grants given to them will go ahead to become wealth creators and employers of labour which will in turn, translate many of them to millionaires, billionaires, and even so much more.

    “For me, the governor did not just teach these youths how to fish, he also gave them the nets, the hooks, and other equipment to fish. They will have no reason whatsoever, to look in the direction of crime.

    “This is what Ohaneze Ndigbo under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has been preaching and it is such a delight to see Governor Soludo thinking in this direction.

    “This is consistent with the apex Igbo socio-cultural group’s vision to build the Igbo land of everybody’s dream.”

    While commending the form the program was designed to first empower the youths with skills before providing them with seed capital, the youth leader argued that the arrangement would ensure the grants were not wasted.

    He also applauded the mentorship and business development support which the government has negotiated with some partners, to enable the beneficiaries to grow their businesses.

    Okpalaezeukwu added: “I wish to remind the beneficiaries that they have a huge responsibility to take up the challenge of building other youths who were not fortunate enough to benefit from the process.

    Read Also: Ohaneze to Soludo: You’ve made Igbos proud by honouring Achebe

    “With the grants they can become creators of wealth and labour, moving other unemployed youths out of the unemployment net.

    “The governor has set the ball rolling, it is now the duty of the beneficiaries to see to it that this initiative blossoms, by appropriately deploying the start-up capital to grow their businesses.

    “We are looking forward to a spike in the number of start-ups in the state, as well as Small and Medium Scale enterprises, who are the actual drivers of any economy.

    “The challenge is now theirs and we are hopeful that they will not betray the trust reposed in them by Mr Governor.”