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Tag: Ohanaeze Ndigbo

  • Ohanaeze tasks South-East governors on sit-at-home, proffers solutions

    Ohanaeze tasks South-East governors on sit-at-home, proffers solutions

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has tasked the South-East governors to end the ongoing sit-at- home while proffering solutions to myriads of issues confronting the zone.

    Ohanaeze said that the zone was known as one of the peaceful region in the country but now, has been plunged into various Challenges including sit-at-home orders and violent agitations.

    A statement on Saturday signed by the Secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, suggested a 40-days period by South-East governors and stakeholders to save the economy of the region from collapsing.

    According to the body, Ohanaeze believes that it is crucial for the governors to separate criminals, kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers, and killer herdsmen, from genuine Biafra agitators.

    The statement argued that street urchins and criminals have hijacked the enforcement of the sit-at-home orders by using it as a cover to unleash violence on innocent civilians of the zone.

    “It asserted that the security agents must recognize the reality on ground.one of the notable concern raised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the alleged involvement of Simon Ekpa in inciting violence in the South East.

    “Ohanaeze claims that Simon Ekpa is using criminals to cause chaos and that the Southeast Governors seem helpless in addressing this issue. Ohanaeze Ndigbo proposes that the governors put aside their pride and accept help from the organization.

    “They asserted that by listening to Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s homemade solutions, the governors can restore peace in the Southeast within the next 40 days.

    “In order to effectively address the Challenges in the Southeast, it is imperative for all stakeholders to come together and collaborate. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, can play a significant role in fostering unity and dialogue.

    It stated that the security agents must take appropriate action to ensure that law and order are maintained while respecting the rights of the people by restoring peace and stability in the South-East states.

  • Sit-at-home: Declare state of emergency in South-East – Ohanaeze tells Tinubu

    Sit-at-home: Declare state of emergency in South-East – Ohanaeze tells Tinubu

    Following the sit-at-home order by Simon Ekpa, that is crippling the economic activities in the region, Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural organisation has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in South-east.

    Ohanaeze said declaring a state of emergency would send a strong signal to the Southeast governors, who would now be compelled to find a lasting solution to the order.

    Ohanaeze’s Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in an interview with daily Post said, “A desperate moment needs desperate action. We want to warn again that Ohanaeze will not fold its arms and allow miscreants to destroy economic activities in the Southeast.

    “If possible, where this sit-at-home is happening should be declared a state of emergency. This is what Tinubu would do that will make the Southeast governors sit up and find a lasting solution to the problem.

    “Ekpa has declared a second Biafra War, which Igbos are not ready to fight. Igbos are supporting Tinubu and would assist in ensuring that this rebellion is squashed.

    “Ekpa’s action is an attempt to divide Igbos, and we wonder why Peter Obi and the rest are not talking. We hope this is not a conspiracy against the president.”

  • Ohanaeze Ndigbo mourns former PG, Joe Irukwu

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo mourns former PG, Joe Irukwu

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed sadness over the death of the former President-General of the group, Prof. Joe Irukwu, describing his demise as a shock to Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    Ohaneze Ndigbo expressed its grief on Sunday in Enugu in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Chiedozie  Ogbonnia.

    Irukwu’s death was first announced by his kinsman, Prince Harrison Okorie, the President-General, Amaokwe Item Welfare Union on Saturday in Enugu.

    “Ohaneze received with rude shock the sad news of the passing of one of our brightest, an accomplished legal luminary, moral edifice, insurance and risk management wizard, erudite scholar of world renown, Igbo leader and former President General of Ohanaeze Prof. Joe Irukwu”, he said.

    He said Irukwu was elected the President -General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 2003 and served meritoriously before bowing out in 2007.

    According to Ogbonnia, during his tenure, Irukwu added colour, glamour, zest, robust intellect and panache to the Igbo umbrella socio-cultural organization.

    “One of his works- Nation Building and Ethnic Organization: A Case Study of Ohanaeze in Nigeria, published by Spectrum, is an intellectual Magnus opus that fascinated the scholarly community in 2007 as one of the best sellers.

    “Before the expiration of his tenure, Irukwu led other Igbo leaders to commission a multi-million naira complex comprising of a 1,500 -seater auditorium, library and conference room which he built single-handedly.

    “This was part of his own legacy to the Igbo man’s quest for equitable recognition and accommodation in the Nigerian polity,” he said.

    He saidthat Irukwu was called to the English Bar in 1962 and enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the same year.

    He said that the late Irukwu held so many top positions in both private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy during his active days.

    He said although Irukwu was given to the service of mankind, he earlier resisted the lure by Dr Michael Okpara, the then Premier of the Eastern Region, to join partisan politics.

    “Instead he chose to pursue his dream of applying his knowledge in law to build an enviable insurance industry in Nigeria.

    “Irukwu painstakingly achieved his set goals and became a foremost risk management expert.

    “He was also a professor of Insurance, educationist, award winning author and holder of many distinguished fellowships and academic awards,” Ogbonnia said.

    The publicity secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo also said that Irukwu showed remarkable patriotism as a delegate at the National Political Reform Conference in 2005.

    Ogbonnia quoted the current President- General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as saying that through his Irukwu’s death Ndi Igbo lost a man with a large heart.

  • SAD! Ex-Ohanaeze President, Irukwu, dies at 89

    SAD! Ex-Ohanaeze President, Irukwu, dies at 89

    Ex-President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof Joe Irukwu, is dead.

    He died at the age of 89.

    A statement by Prince Harrison Eze Okorie, President General, Amaokwe Item Welfare Union, said: “The Amaokwe Item Welfare Union on behalf of entire Amaba Ukwu kindred and the immediate family hereby announce the glorious but painful demise of our great patron, father, grandfather, son and brother, Prof (Chief)Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu, SAN, CFR.

    “The Union on behalf Amaokwe Community, commiserates with the family and prays to God to grant his soul peaceful rest.

    “The Union enjoins all Amaokwe sons and daughters to mourn the exit of this giant as we also remember to uphold his family in prayers in this moment of grief.”

    Irukwu, a lawyer, lecturer, author and insurance guru, was the founding managing director of Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation.

    He founded African Development Insurance Company thereafter, which was later sold to Diamond Bank.

    Irukwu obtained a degree in Law and Insurance from a British university in 1962. Upon returning to Nigeria, he took employment with West African Provincial Insurance Company, a British firm operating out of Lagos. Originally, a legal adviser, he rose within the firm and joined the managerial cadre of the firm’s insurance department in 1965.

    In 1970, he was appointed chief executive officer of Unity Life and Fire Insurance Company and it was while working at Unity that his profile began to rise. In 1972, the government appointed him head of the student loans board, a committee with the responsibility.

    In 1977, Irukwu became the pioneer chief executive of Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation, a government owned business established to increase the local share of reinsurance premium income. Prior to the establishment of the firm, insurance firms in Nigeria, conducted reinsurance transactions with foreign companies.

    To boost the local insurance market and reduce foreign exchange out-flow, the government founded Nigerian Re. The new firm was given the right of first refusal for any reinsurance transaction to be conducted in Nigeria. One of Irukwu’s main challenges was to recruit and train talent in a line of business that was new to Nigeria. The firm engaged foreign institutions in the training of workers and sponsored a training school in Lagos.

    Irukwu published his first book, Insurance Law and Practice in Nigeria in 1967 and his second book, Accident and Motor Insurance in West Africa was published in 1974. His third book, Insurance Management in Africa was published in 1976.

  • Ohanaeze appeals to Igbos to support president Tinubu

    Ohanaeze appeals to Igbos to support president Tinubu

    Igbo socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo has appealed to Igbo brothers and sisters to support Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu as he leads the country.

    The body also urged President Tinubu to hearken to the cries of the Southeast.

    The apex Igbo social-cultural association said Tinubu would listen to the Southeast when governors from the region and Igbo leaders support him.

    This is according to Okechukwu Isiguzoro, a factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, who asserted that Igbo leaders pushing Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, to unseat Tinubu will fail.

    Isiguzoro charged them to withdraw their support from Obi and extend it to Tinubu.

    Speaking with pressmen, Isiguzoro said: “The Southeast governors should openly declare their support and work with Tinubu, irrespective of party affiliation.

    “Those of them supporting Peter Obi should renounce it and openly declare for Tinubu because what we have seen is that the ruling party has two states, APGA has one state, and the Labour Party and PDP have one state each in the Southeast.

    “So, at this point, they should declare their open support for Tinubu. These are the things that would make Tinubu listen to the pleas of the Southeast.

    “Those Ohanaeze and Igbo elders hiding under Peter Obi and pushing him to unseat Tinubu will never succeed; no power on earth can unseat Tinubu. We will ensure that all those unrepentant elders are made to support and work with Tinubu.”

  • Ohanaeze disowns Okwu Nnabuike as Youth Leader

    Ohanaeze disowns Okwu Nnabuike as Youth Leader

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has disowned one Mazi Okwu Nnabuike who parades himself as the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide.

    The group said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide was not known to the organs and structures of the group, adding that it was a strange non-existent mischievous contrivance for narrow personal interests.

    Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo stated this in a statement, issued by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, on Tuesday in Enugu.

    According to Iwuanyanwu, it is a thing of grave concern to every Igbo adult that of all the ethnic groups in Nigeria, only the Igbo that a few unrepentant wary transgressors is recruited to tarnish and belittle the only apex umbrella body for which the Igbo are known.

    “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo and indeed the eminent sons and daughters of Igbo land have pleaded with such mercenaries to desist from lowering the hallowed image of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to their levels.

    “This group has been reminded to no avail that Ohanaeze represents the Igbo history, emotions, collective consciousness and solidarity that should not be dragged to the mud and should not always place the Igbo on line with their unguarded youthful impetuosity.

    “We, at various times, informed the unsuspecting public to ignore the mischief makers and media navigators who leech on the invaluable footprints of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to issue press releases for perverse and illicit pecuniary interests,” he said.

    The president-general added that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo had also taken a legal action of which Nnabuike was joined in the Enugu State High Court suit, marked E/878/2022.

    He explained that Justice Uchenna Mogbo had issued an injunction restraining them from parading themselves as representatives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    “Since the above Court Order on March 12, 2023, which is still subsisting, these cohorts have continued to impersonate the group in most despicable forms.

    “Curiously, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike has refused to honour the several invitations from security operatives to come and answer to criminal complaints of impersonation and perjury,” he added.

    Iwuanyanwu, therefore, urged the general public to discountenance any publication, press release or remarks emanating from Nnabuike or any of his agents as such publications did not in any way represent the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    “He is both a usurper and an impostor; an interloper who has no authority or mandate to act or speak on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for any reason whatsoever.

    “We appeal to the media to be circumspect in what they publish about Ohanaeze and to seek clearance from Ohanaeze leadership before going public.

    “We also request any member of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of Mr Okwu Nnabuike to report to the nearest Police Station or to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretariat at No. 7 Park Avenue, GRA Enugu.

    “We wish to warn that anyone dealing with Mr Okwu Nnabuike on issues relating to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide does so at his/her own peril,” Iwuanyanwu warned.

  • Alaba market demolition: Ohaneze expresses concern over plight of Igbo traders

    Alaba market demolition: Ohaneze expresses concern over plight of Igbo traders

    The Ohaneze Ndigbo has expressed concern over the lingering problems in Lagos over the planned demolition of some property at the Alaba Market dominated by Igbo traders.

    The President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, stated this in a statement issued by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia on Saturday in Enugu.

    Ohaneze said since the disturbing news broke out, they had made investigations in order to establish the true state of affairs.

    Iwuanyanwu said, “The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been drawn to several fake publication circulating on social media alleging a decision by the Lagos State Government to take actions to victimize the Igbo citizens domiciled in Lagos”.

    He said based on its investigation, one reliable source, Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, Member, Lagos State Market Advisory Council said, “the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority has been issuing warnings as regards the obstruction of some water ways”.

    Ukatu, who is also the President Ndigbo-Amaka Progressive Market Association, Lagos, added “all that happened at Alaba and the emergency visit by the state government officials were directly about those blocking the free flow of water through the provided water ways”.

    Ukatu explained that the directive as “not in any way related to plazas and shops on the markets or along the market road”.

    He enjoined all and sundry to “disregard the statements and video messages trending on the internet and admonished that such propaganda was not necessary for the Igbos at this time”.

    Another Alaba resident, Chief Ikechukwu Okolo told Ohaneze that, some structures were erected on waterways, thereby obstructing drainages and causing flooding, especially during the rainy seasons.

    Okolo stated that, “the owners of the affected structures have since been notified, for months, but as we can see, each time the execution order was to be effected, corrupt Government officials would get compromised, and the flooding challenge continues, until this time”.

    Chief Evaristus Ozonweke, an Ohaneze chieftain, resident in Lagos, has also validated the above position.

    Iwuanyanwu urged the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority (LASEDA) to exercise prudence and best considerations in discharging their duties as he asked the Igbo in Lagos to remain calm.

    He, therefore, indicated a pressing need to visit Lagos and the South West in the next few weeks as he wass very optimistic that during the visit, all the challenges confronting the Igbo in Lagos would be addressed.

  • Ohanaeze speaks on the detention of suspended CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele

    Ohanaeze speaks on the detention of suspended CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele

    The Igbo socio-cultural organization in Nigeria, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has given its words on the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, Godwin Emefiele.

    According to the body, Emefiele, allowed himself to be destroyed by the cabals that controlled former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    It added that the suspended CBN Governor was a tool used by the cabals who never wanted Bola Tinubu to become president.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Emefiele is being held by the Department of State Service for interrogation into his activities during his nine-year stay as CBN Governor.

    Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze’s Secretary-General, said Emefiele’s continued stay in office would undermine Tinubu’s presidency.

    Isiguzoro  said Emefiele’s suspension was a right decision.

    According to Isiguzoro: “Emefiele allowed himself to be destroyed by cabals who never wanted Tinubu to become president. As a CBN governor, he shouldn’t have dabbled into the murky waters of politics and having been pushed to run for APC presidential primaries against others, especially Tinubu.

    “We see Emefiele’s suspension as good riddance to bad rubbish, the arrest of Emefiele is in the right direction and Ohanaeze applauds it.

    “Emefiele’s continued stay in office will undermine Tinubu’s presidency and it’s in the right direction.”

  • Ohanaeze Ndigbo tables 13 demands before President Bola Tinubu

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo tables 13 demands before President Bola Tinubu

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has tabled some demands before President Bola Tinubu upon his assumption of office as Nigeria’s president.

    Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze’s Secretary-General, said Tinubu should allow Igbos benefit from his economic policies.

    Isiguzoro also urged the president to ensure the railway line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri works.

    Speaking with Pressmen , Isiguzoro said: “The free market trade and postulations show that Igbos who are majorly traders will benefit from his economic policies.

    “What Ndigbos expect at this moment is in the area of transport, he should look at the rail lines that goes from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.

    “He should look at the seaports and ensure no economic leakages.

    “Tinubu should go for well tested technocrats not corrupt politicians, and he must ensure that those who will form the next government are not those who put Nigeria into this mess.

    “Tinubu should not recycle old politicians based on party affiliation.

    “The government of national unity is an antidote to those challenging his electoral victory in court.

    “He should go beyond APC and bring in technocrats from PDP, LP, and NNPP.

    “Tinubu must ensure that there is no islamization agenda in his government. Nigerians are afraid because of the possibility of having a president and vice who are Muslims, and probably having a Senate President and Speaker who might be Muslims.

    “This is why we are saying Akpabio might likely succeed as the Senate President. We know his track record of achievements as an uncommon governor. Irrespective of all the allegations, Akpabio stands a better choice to balance the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

    “Ndigbo is interested in the economic aspect of his administration and we will continue to support him like we did when he was governor of Lagos State.

    “He should look into the things that have gone bad in Nigeria and ensure that all the political prisoners including Nnamdi Kanu are released.

    “Tinubu should ensure that all his appointments reflects federal character, and ensure merit is the watch word for all his appointments.

    “Tinubu should know that with Ndigbo beside his government, the sky will be his starting limit.”

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo is an Igbo socio-cultural organization in Nigeria. The group aims to represent the interests of all Igbo communities within and outside Nigeria.

  • Alleged corruption: Step aside now, Ohaneze tells EFCC Chairman 

    Alleged corruption: Step aside now, Ohaneze tells EFCC Chairman 

    Ohaneze, the Igbo Social Cultural group has called on the embattled Chairman off the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to step aside from the office as his continuous staying in office has become a burden to the anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhammad Buhari’s dying administration.

    The group in a press statement signed by Okwu Nnabuike , the President of Ohaneze youths World wide said, EFCC under Bawa now a subject of ridicule.

    “In the past couple of days, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Council Worldwide have watched with dismay the drift currently going on at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.”

    “Needless to say that we are not so surprised owing to the fact that in the not so distant past, we had raised the alarm that the EFCC czar, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was merchandising the anti-graft commission.” It noted

    The group noted that ” This came to the fore when he unleashed the commission on Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a victim of circumstance, who was then facing charges in the United Kingdom. The EFCC under Bawa has never charged Ekweremadu for any crime, but while the lawmaker was in far away UK, he rushed and misled a Nigerian court to confiscate all his properties. Thank God that the court later reversed itself. This is just one of the major unholy and sponsored jobs of the EFCC under Bawa.”

    Continuing the group stated that ” in the history of the EFCC, no chairman of the commission has ever come under public scrutiny in such a short period of time like Bawa. The same goes for many of the staff under him, justifying the aphorism, ‘like father like son’. A few days ago, it was even reported that two of the staff members killed another colleague while they were fighting for exhibits. This shows how dirty the commission has become.”

    It futher stated that ” Apart from the corruption fight taking a nosedive under Bawa, it is also no longer news that the EFCC under him has totally become a tool for political witchhunt, it is now merely being used to settle political scores.”

    The group reinstates it call on the EFCC boss , Bawa to step aside saying ” Based on the foregoing, it is time for Bawa to pack his luggages and step aside as the Chairman of the EFCC. We even expected that he should have resigned on his own volition judging by some weighty allegations against him.”

    “However, since he is obstinate about towing the path of honour, we advise President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful by purging his government of all the ridicule brought upon his avowed anti-corruption stance by Bawa and the EFCC under him.”

    “But should Buhari fail to do so, the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu should consider it as one of his very first assignments- to make Bawa step aside and face investigation. This is the only way Nigerians would rekindle their hope on the anti-graft commission”