The election and subsequent inauguration of Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, Nigerian politician and businessman, as the President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has opened a new chapter in the history of the apex-Igbo socio-cultural organisation. Iwuanyanwu, whose nomination for the post was endorsed by major stakeholders in the South East and beyond, fills the vacuum created by the death of the former leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor.
The inauguration, which was held at the old Government Lodge in Enugu during the Imeobi meeting on April 30, was attended by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State. However, the governors of Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states were represented by their deputies Kelechi Igwe, Prof. Placid Njoku and Ude Oko Chukwu, respectively.
Other dignitaries at the event included Enugu State Governor-elect, Peter Mbah, former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, members of the National Assembly, ministers, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, and ex-President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo.
In his presidential inaugural speech, the new President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo expressed his determination to serve Ndigbo diligently, promising to put some committees to address issues of health, education, industry, and power supply in the zone. Iwuanyanwu equally saw his leadership of Ohanaeze as a sacred responsibility. ‘I therefore have a duty to valiantly defend Igbo cause and I promise Ime-Obi and all Igbo people that by the grace of God I will not fail them. I have carefully examined our present circumstances and I have decided among other things to carry out the following assignments during my tenure. These are education, agriculture, industrialisation, electricity, power generation, health etc.,’ he declared.
To ensure inclusivity in running the organisation, the new president pledged to liaise with the state governments and relevant ministries in the region to deliver service to the people. Undoubtedly, the task before him is quite enormous. It is good that he has identified some critical areas his leadership will tackle. He should strive to ensure unity among the Igbo in Nigeria and in diaspora. The new leadership is coming at a time the Igbo are more divided and working at cross purposes. The polarisation among Ndigbo has affected their participation in national politics. It has equally affected the politics of the South East and development in the zone.
Having contested for the presidency of the country thrice without success, Iwuanyanwu’s emergence as the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo provides him the opportunity to galvanise the people and build new bridges of friendship with other ethnic groups in the country.
Under the leadership of Iwuanyanwu, Ohanaeze Ndigbo should look beyond the South East region and ensure that Ndigbo in other geo-political zones are carried along in its activities and agenda. Let the socio-cultural group work with the governors to ensure security and good governance for the people.
The new Ohanaeze leadership should liaise with state governments and stakeholders in the region to fashion out an agenda for the development of the people. Although Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not a political organisation, it can still make interventions when necessary. The group should limit itself to issues of development and welfare of the people. As its name suggests, let Ohanaeze Ndigbo remain neutral in all political matters.
Ohanaeze cannot afford to fail under Iwuanyanwu’s leadership. The organisation must prioritise the welfare of Ndigbo. Let him explore ways of interfacing with the governors of states where Ndigbo are being unduly molested and profiled based on their political beliefs with a view to ensuring peaceful co-existence. There is need for Iwuanyanwu and his team to liaise with the governors of the South East region in Ohanaeze programmes and activities. For Ohanaeze Ndigbo to succeed, it must be adequately funded by governors of the region.
Ohanaeze needs to meet with other stakeholders in the South East region to tackle the festering insecurity in the region. The South East economy will not witness the expected development in the face of rising insecurity and extra-judicial killings. We congratulate Iwuanyanwu on his emergence as the new leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and wish him a successful tenure.