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Tag: Ohanaeze

  • Ohanaeze condemns bill to elevate Ooni of Ife, Sultan of Sokoto

    Ohanaeze condemns bill to elevate Ooni of Ife, Sultan of Sokoto

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has condemned the bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-Chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.

    The group said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.

    Dr Ezechi Chukwu, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, said this in a statement on Sunday in Enugu.

    The bill has passed second reading.

    Chukwu said the Igbo body was astounded with the rationale for such an asymmetric bill by the Senate with its utter disregard for fairness, equity, justice and the principle of Federal Character, as enshrined in the constitution.

    “The Senate in this vein has failed in its capacity as the highest legislative carrier and custodian of the nation’s democratic mandate.

    “This bill is not only inequitable, discriminatory and ethnocentric, it is equally distasteful, reprehensible and objectionable.

    “It lacks all the ethical considerations, objective metrics and unbiased categories for national unity and social justice in a pluralist nation-State like Nigeria,” Chukwu said.

    He said Ohanaeze Ndigbo called for the urgent withdrawal of the bill and the need to review it in consideration for ethnic differences, cultural sensitivity, geopolitical balance, inclusive governance and equitable representation.

    “It is only by so doing shall the bill foster national unity, peaceful co-existence and social stability,” he stressed.

  • Ohanaeze Youth President detained, not abducted – Police

    Ohanaeze Youth President detained, not abducted – Police

    The Ebonyi Police Command has rebutted the reported abduction of the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Mr Igboayaka Igboayaka, saying that he was in police custody.

    The rebuttal is contained in a statement issued in Abakiliki by the command’s Spokesman, SP Joshua Ukandu, and made available to newsmen on Monday.

    Ukandu stated that Igboayaka was not abducted but detained by the command “over false information”.

    “The Ebonyi Command is aware of the information circulating in the media, alleging the abduction of the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Igboayaka, on February 8.

    “To clarify the issue, Igboayaka was arrested by officers from the command based on a petition submitted to the Commissioner of Police, which alleged he disseminated false information capable of truncating peace and destabilising communities in the state.

    “The command is currently investigating the allegation, and once the investigation is concluded, he will be charged to court.

    “Furthermore, the command affirms its commitment to carrying out its mandate within the bounds of the law, while respecting the rights of individuals,” Ukandu added.

  • Ohanaeze, Enugu community celebrate Beatrice Ekweremadu’s return to Nigeria (video)

    Ohanaeze, Enugu community celebrate Beatrice Ekweremadu’s return to Nigeria (video)

    The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Alex Ogbonnia, has celebrated the return of Beatrice Ekweremadu, the wife of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru earlier reported that Beatrice arrived in the country on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and is currently in Abuja.

    Recall that, a UK court had in May 2023, convicted Beatrice and her husband on charges related to organ harvesting and trafficking.

    While Ike Ekweremadu received a 10-year sentence, Beatrice was sentenced to six years, despite citing health challenges in court.

    Reacting to Beatrice’s return, Ogbonnia commended the resilience of the Ekweremadu family, describing the imprisoned politician as a nation builder who made remarkable contributions to the development of Enugu West and Enugu State during his time in the Senate.

    Ogbonnia also highlighted some of the achievements of Senator Ekweremadu during his tenure as Deputy Senate President.

    In his reaction, he said, “I want to thank God for His grace upon Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife. It’s jubilation galore across Enugu State because they used their opportunities to touch lives, showcasing the quality they possess.

    “The husband, in particular, represented the people of Enugu West immeasurably and impacted Enugu State as a whole. We pray that in no distant time, he will return to Nigeria to continue his good work.”

    Similarly, some market women in Mpu, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, the hometown of the former Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, were seen jubilating and dancing over the return of his wife, Beatrice.

    Watch video below:

     

  • Ohanaeze Youths council praises Tinubu, Kalu for Establishing South-East Development commission

    Ohanaeze Youths council praises Tinubu, Kalu for Establishing South-East Development commission

    The Ohanaeze Youths Council (OYC) of the apex lgbo Socio-cultural organization have Lauded the efforts of Deputy speaker of house of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu in passing the age-long bill that has established the South-East Development commission, SEDC.

    The body also applauded President Bola Tinubu for signing the bil into law in record time to ensure even development across the country.

    It condemned in totality the efforts by alleged misguided and misinformed persons like Dr Josef Onoh; the acclaimed President Tinubu’s Campaign Spokesman in the South East for discrediting the dogged and patriotic inputs of the NASS Deputy speaker, Kalu who wants to create disunity in the region’s polity.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the factional National President of OYC,Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka made available to Aljazirah Nigeria.

    Ogboayaka, noted that “there is nothing like former spokesman of Bola Tinubu in south east, accusing Mr Onoh of playing the Devil’s Advocate while seeking ways to clinch the Managing-Directorship position of SEDC through the back door without knowing the true background, and makeup of the Act that established the Commission.

    The statement reads “It’s once said that “Ignorance is what makes any one refer to old attempts as the part of the ownership of the success especially when the final bill that was signed is different from the previous attempts.

    “Dr Josef Onoh is lobbying to be MD of SEDC from the back door, unfortunately he has not even read the law to know what the Act says and he is looking for how to be the MD, and his failed effort to pull the Most Honorable Deputy Speaker of Federal House of Representatives down.

    “You do not become MD of SouthEast Development Commission by attacking any political leader and most especially Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu who saw to the finality of the of the bill as deputy speaker of Federal House of Representatives” Igboayaka queried Dr. Onoh

    According to the statement,’that while several bills usually! introduced in the House Assembly dies off naturally for many reasons; all accolades ought be given to any parliamentarian who introduces a bill, revives, sponsors and dutifully ensures the bill sees the light of the day as an Act or law.

    He stated that Hon Benjamin Kalu deserves the accolades for painstakingly using his time, office and good relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the National Assembly to positively affect the SouthEast Development Commission bill, while describing the relationship of the Most Honorable Deputy Speaker and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a great resource to Ndigbo.

    Ohanaeze Youth Council(OYC) extols President Bola Tinubu for signing the bill into law in record time to ensure even development across the country.

    “We are talking of proposing and processing a bill to become an Act, which is a no mean assignment and the likes of Dr. Josef Onoh is somewhere chasing shadow, because of his desperate ambition to become the MD of SouthEast Development Commission, with zero capacity to drive such all important development tool of the president . So any one he suspects will not be in support of his ambition is made an enemy on the pages of the newspaper.

    “The chief sponsor of the bill when it is signed should be addressed as the one who worked for it, not those who attempted and failed previously in the past assemblies . It was display of ignorance listing those who had the desire to achieve this in the 8th and 9th assemblies as every assembly commences her activities de novo ( anew ) . Stop telling us about who tried, tell us we made it happen .

    “Ndigbo are not ingrates, we appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for breaking the jinx of 54 years as Ndigbo are deeply appreciative to Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, our illustrious Igbo son for asking the president to remember Ndigbo by signing the SEDC Bill into law”

    “Like Dr. M. I Okpara whose visionary Leadership made Old Eastern Region the fastest developing Region, developing faster than China and Singapore between 1953 to 1966. Therefore, SouthEast Development Commission as actualized through the effort of Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu is like the vision of Dr. M. I. Okpara has been revisited by Honorable Deputy Speaker to foster economic development in SouthEast”

    Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) however appealed to President Tinubu to initiate more cheering developmental programme and projects for South East region while calling for the release of IPOB detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    “Ndigbo are waiting for another celebration, appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Grant the prayers of Hon Benjamin Kalu for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu release using a political solution on his matter”.

  • Please allow dialogue with Nnamdi Kanu to commence – Ohanaeze begs Tinubu

    Please allow dialogue with Nnamdi Kanu to commence – Ohanaeze begs Tinubu

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow negotiaiton with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to commence.

    The National President of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, in a statement on Thursday, said the federal government should accept the dialogue offered by Kanu.

    Recall that Kanu during his trial on Wednesday hinted at exploiting the process of an out-of-court settlement in the alleged treasonable felony charge brought against him by the Federal Government.

    Kanu gave the indication before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    When the matter was called on Wednesday, his lead lawyer, Mr Ejimakor Aloy, urged the court to on its own invoke Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, which he said, provides for “reconciliation” and facilitation of amicable settlement in criminal or civil matters.

    He claimed that he had some time ago discussed the proposition with counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, adding that the senior lawyer had responded by saying that the proper time for such an issue had not come.

    Reacting to the development, Okwu stated that the Igbo group had always canvassed for a diplomation settlement of the case involving Kanu, stressing that “now that the IPOB leader himself has opened the page for reconciliation, the Federal Government should grab this opportunity to ensure a total restoration of peace in the South-East.

    “We restate that considering the carnage we have witnessed in the South-East for several years now, no price is too much for peace.

    “Our passionate appeal to the Federal Government is to in the interest of peace and security, dialogue with Kanu and bring to an end the unrest in the South-East.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the father of the nation, should please allow the dialogue process to commence as soon as possible.”

    The Igbo group also urged those carrying out attacks in the South-East to have a rethink.

    “It is gratifying to hear Mazi Nnamdi Kanu condemn their actions; you cannot continue to kill your own people in the name of agitation for freedom.

    “We appeal to their conscience, just like Kanu said, to stop making our young women widows and their children fatherless.”

  • Ohaneze moves to end insecurity in South-East, appeals FG for support

    Ohaneze moves to end insecurity in South-East, appeals FG for support

    The Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, has vowed to use non-kinetic approach to resolve security challenge in the South East region by appealing to people causing bloodshed to embrace peace.

    The President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, disclosed this during a World Conference it organised to announce the programme for Sept. 29 Igbo Day Celebration on Saturday in Enugu.

    Iwuanyanwu, who described the killings and bloodshed in the southeast as ‘strange’, said as a father, “I am tired of the death of my children and they have given me the responsibility to lead them”.

    According to him, each time I hear anybody killed, I feel sad because most of them are doing what they are doing because of hunger and unemployment.

    “I am not saying that hunger and unemployment will make one to be a criminal but not everyone has capacity to endure hunger”.

    The president-general maintained that security of every place in Nigeria was the collective responsibility of everyone pointing out that the Federal Government alone could not handle it.

    He said that during the Igbo Day Celebration he would announce the non-kinetic approach to end insecurity in the zone.

    “As a father, I will call and appeal to everybody to embrace peace and the non-kinetic approach requires everybody’s support both state and the federal government for us to have peace in southeast.

    “Whatever sacrifice to bring non-kinetic approach to bring an end to bloodshed and killing in Igboland, I will do it.

    “I am going to reach these people by any means to beg them or even given my life if they want it; I will surrender it to ensure peace reigns in the region,” the Igbo leader said.

    He said he would send a delegation to Finland and other places to beg those causing bloodshed in the southeast.

    “We are not going to arrest or kill them. I don’t want to kill any of our children; we are going to appeal to them to tell us what they want us to do.

    “Those who are hungry, we will find them something to do to keep them happier but letting of bloodshed and killing should stop.

    “It is not easy to stop a hungry person who has found means of getting livelihood through guns but as a father, I will go and cry to them and I am praying God that these my approach work out well,” he said.

    He added that he would also resolve all the political crisis among the political leaders in the zone by reconciling them to move the region forward.

    The Igbo Leader appealed to the federal government to assist the zone with the reconstruction of railways, creation of seaports and more international airports to ease their businesses.

    “The issue of sharing rice as palliative does not have any meaning to any Igbo man but what you can do for him is to give him opportunity to make a living for himself,” he said.

  • Ohanaeze lauds UK for establishing visa application submission centre in Enugu

    Ohanaeze lauds UK for establishing visa application submission centre in Enugu

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the socio-cultural umbrella of the people of the Southeast geopolitical zone on Monday lauded the British government for establishing a UK visa application form submission centre in Enugu.

    It also expressed gratitude to the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery for granting the request of its President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, for the establishment of the centre in the Southeast.

    Its spokesman, Dr Alex Ogbonnia stated on Monday in Enugu that Iwuanyanwu requested the establishment of a visa office in Enugu on June 27 when Montgomery paid him a courtesy visit.

    He recalled that during the visit, the Igbo Leader told Montgomery that Nigerians of Southeast extraction accounted for more than 70 per cent of Nigerians traveling to the United Kingdom on daily basis.

    Ogbonnia stated also that Iwuanyanwu argued that it was unfair to subject that sizeable number of visa applicants to travels to Lagos and Abuja to submit their applications.

    Iwuanyanwu, he added, seized the opportunity of the visit to highlight the longstanding relationship between the Southeast of Nigeria and the United Kingdom in the areas of religion, education and culture.

    He stated that Iwuanyanwu cited the role of the Church Missionary Society, a Scottish religious body that arrived Onitsha, Anambra for evangelism in 1857.

    “Iwuanyanwu reminded the envoy that there used to be a British Council office in Enugu and expressed surprise that the office was shut without sufficient reason.

    “He assured Montgomery that a visa office in Enugu would promote bilateral collaborations that would enhance the growth and sustainable development of the southeast region’s economy,’’ Ogbonnia added.

    He stressed that Iwuanyanwu was excited when he learnt that the British High Commission had announced the opening of a temporary visa application submission centre in Enugu State beginning from Sept. 13.

    “The UK diplomatic office disclosed in a statement on Monday that the facility will operate at Independence Layout, Enugu and offer twice-a-week services in the interim,’’ he stated.

    Ogbonnia added that Iwuanyanwu urged the people of the Southeast to avail themselves of the opportunity the visa application submission centre offers.

  • Don’t appeal tribunal’s ruling, Ohanaeze begs Obi, Atiku

    Don’t appeal tribunal’s ruling, Ohanaeze begs Obi, Atiku

    Apex lgbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, has advised the presidential candidate of peoples Democratic party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Labour party Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Allied Peoples movement, APM, not to appeal the presidential election petition court PEPC’s ruling which upheld president Bola Tinubu’s victory.

    Ohanaeze suggested that instead of the two main opposition parties appeal the judgement, should join hands with the All progressives Congress, APC, led federal government for the upliftment of the country.

    The Presidential election Petition Court PEPC, sitting in Abuja had on Wednesday, dismissed PDP and LP’s petitions against President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 Presidential election for lack of merit.

    A statement signed on Thursday by Ohanaeze’s Secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu lsiguzoro, called on president Tinubu to reach out personally to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi and extend hands of fellowship to them for national healing and reconciliation.

    “l call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to genuinely reach out personally to the Peoples Democracy Party PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, and extend hands of fellowship and friendship to them as a pragmatic footpath for National healing and reconciliation, after the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal Verdict on 6th September 2023, is a commendable one.

    “President Tinubu should indeed be magnanimous in victory and should personally visit Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar. This would go a long way in dousing the heightened tensions and calming down the nerves of their supporters.

    “It is also important to note that Atiku and Obi have the constitutional right to appeal the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) to the Supreme Court. However, in the interest of peace and brotherhood, they should accept the verdict in good faith and should not appeal the Tribunal Judgment to the Supreme Court.

    According to the statement, Ohanaeze calls on Nigerians, especially Ndigbo to remain peaceful and be their brother’s keeper stressing that there should be a deeper understanding that the challenges before us as a nation are enormous and should no longer be willing tools in the hands of desperate politicians.

    It urged Ndigbo to strengthen their patriotism to the APC-led Federal Government for RENEWED HOPE’s developmental projects and dividends of Democracy to the people of the South-East.

    The group called on Igbo residents in the Southwest and 19 Northern States to continue to maintain peaceful co-existence with their host communities and go about their normal business endeavors.

    “We call on Nigerians to continue to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his well-deserved victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

  • Gabon coup: Ohanaeze lauds Nigeria’s military allegiance to Tinubu

    Gabon coup: Ohanaeze lauds Nigeria’s military allegiance to Tinubu

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide,has Lauded the Nigeria military over their total allegiance to the present federal government, warned President Bola Tinubu of the dangers following recent coup in Gabon.

    Ohanaeze stated that the Last week’s coup waves in francophone African countries are warnings of continuous declarations of fraudulent election results in Africa.

    A statement on Sunday signed by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu lsiguzoro, identified bad governments, lack of respect to the Constitution by political elites and imposition of Presidents are the reasons why they are Military coups in Africa countries.

    According to the statement, Ohanaeze stated that the Northern leadership and political leaders are dissatisfied with Tinubu’s Presidency and are waiting patiently for the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal verdict on September 16th, 2023, to know their line of action.

    The group added that the Northern leadership shut down President Tinubu’s led ECOWAS planned invasion of Niger Republic through their Senators, Traditional Rulers, and their Elder statesmen who are unhappy with the President’s style of leadership and key appointments to South-west.

    Stating that the continuous closure of Borders, halting of electricity supply to the Niger Republic would continue to enrage the North, saying that it will come with consequences from them.

    “The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has praised the Nigerian Military for their total allegiance to President Bola Tinubu and their continuous vows to continue to safeguard and uphold Nigerian Democracy.

    “Northern Nigeria is in shock with the wayTinubu’s Presidency is steering the ship of Nigeria’s State and the trepidation of feasible restructuring of the country, the appointment of vibrant Southerner as FCT Minister, and most importantly key positions to South-west has thrown the North into confusion and premonition of the future.

    It suggesteed that to pacify the North now will calm down their nerves, especially through the reopening of the closed borders with the Niger Republic and their restoration of electricity.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo said that to continue to ignore the North will be disastrous as the consequences will affect Tinubu’s progress in tackling insecurity and his chances if there will be Rerun as Nigerians await the judgment of the presidential election petition tribunal.

  • Ohanaeze lobbies Northern leaders, Asari Dokubo over kanu’s release

    Ohanaeze lobbies Northern leaders, Asari Dokubo over kanu’s release

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has intensified moves to Lobby some Northern Leaders as well Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples volunteer force, Mujahid Asari Dokubo towards the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB).

    Ohanaeze stated that although, there are ongoing efforts by Northern Leaders and Asari Dokubo to pressure the federal government not to accept Igbo’s request for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

    A statement signed by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu lsiguzoro on Wednesday, while reacting to the comment of the detained(IPOB)Leader, Kanu that he would not beg the Federal Government for his release.

    According to the statement, Kanu went further to state that it would be an insult to the loving memories of the late lgbo elderstateman, Pa Mbazulike Amaechi who died in 2022 at the age of 91.

    Recall that a delegation of Igbo Eldersmen had solicited the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu after the appeal court ordered his release.

    “”Ohanaeze Ndigbo has insisted that Nnamdi Kanu’s statement is in order and that people should stop begging for his release. However, the organization maintains that the Appeal Court’s pronouncement over Kanu remains sacrosanct and that the Supreme Court should fix a date for the hearing of the appeal filed by the government against Kanu’s release.

    “The organization also called on the Federal Government to obey the rule of law and release Kanu unconditionally, as he has been in detention for over the years without adherence to court orders.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, is believed to have played a significant role in the earlier release of Nnamdi Kanu in 2017, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    “The organization is said to have sent a delegation to the North and prominent Nigerians to pacify them and seek their support for Kanu’s release.

    “This time around, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is likely to adopt a similar strategy, focusing on underground networking with critical stakeholders and appealing to those who were aggrieved by Kanu’s broadcasts in the past.

    It stated that Ohanaeze may also seek the assistance of Igbo billionaire business moguls and the leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), who played a significant role in the previous release of Kanu in 2017.

    “However, the current situation is more challenging due to the lack of diplomatic underground work and the need to pacify some friends of the government, especially some Northern leadership and groups and Asari Dokubo, a former Niger Delta militant.

    While saying that the violent sit-at-home protests have also not brought any desired outcome, urging Igbos to change tactics in their efforts to secure Kanu’s release.