HRM Dr Jude Chukwudi Ihenetu is the Eze Ndigbo Ghana. Shortly after receiving the Champion Newspapers 2021 personality awards, the Umuduruoha Amigbo Nwagele Imo-State born Royal Father granted interview to cross section of the media where he explained pertinent issues on how he handles affairs of Ndigbo in Ghana.
HRM Dr Ihenetu who is also the Assistant Publicity Secretary Association of Ndieze Ndigbo in the Diaspora dedicated the awards to Ndigbo in Ghana for their unflinching support. He speaks further
May we meet you?
I am His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr Amb.. Jude Chukwudi Ihenetu, Eze Ndigbo Ghana.
In Ghana, we are promoting understanding, business, wealth creation and culture in the Diaspora. We are happy to fly in from Ghana to attend this occasion. You can see that my people are happy to be here and that’s why the chiefs and representative of the palace are here to lend their support.
Our prayers is that this organization, Champion Newspapers will continue to grow from strength to strength and keep recognizing important people in Nigeria and also the less privilege should also be discovered so that people will know their good works. It is not just when people are doing tremendous things alone that they will be singled out for honor but people who are also struggling to make impact should also be recognized and celebrated..
I am so glad today because I did not spend a dime to get this award. I was nominated purely on merit. Myself, my elders and chiefs were discovered base on our contribution to better the society. That’s why we all came here to receive the award. Akunesiobike is here, Uche and many other people from Obiukwu Obieziokwu Palace are here.
What’s your advise to Igbo in Ghana and the Diaspora sir?
The advice is for them to keep working hard. Igbo are known as people that are very powerful in trade, commerce, education and other critical sectors that drives Nigeria’s economy. So my advice for them is to keep it up and not to tire out.
I looked at your profile, one of the reasons you were given the awards was when you intervened when almost 500 Nigerians were stranded in Ghana /Nigeria border, when you gave out palliative during COVID-19 lock down and your uplifting of orphans, and renovation of schools in Nigeria and Ghana. What spirit is behind this kind gestures?
There are clear difference between deportation and repatriation. When you are deported, it could take up to 3 years for you to return, but when one is repatriated, such person can even return the next day. It all depends on your documentations.
These youths roughly 547 that were stranded in Ghana were in real dire condition. When I and palace elders got the information, we immediately swung into action, we set up machinery to ensure that they are reunited with their parents. It will shock you to discover that those who brought them to Ghana, promised them job that never materialised.
Some other time, there was issue of immigration, and we quickly stepped in and solve the problem. You know you can not move into foreign country without proper documentation and valid papers, yet our people will enter Ghana not abiding by this laws. So we step in to rescue them from going to jail. Some we gave transport fare back to Nigeria, some we rehabilitate, while others we engage in business and employment.
We have seen a lot of people oriented projects you carried out in Ghana, as the Paramount king of Igbo, how do you feel today to be honored as one of the awardees?
We are happy. You see, any major achievement of this magnitude must be attributed to collective efforts of people of like minds. So I dedicate it to my elders, the chiefs, the palace, my family, the Queen mother of Ndigbo in Ghana, Her Majesty Ugoeze Liberty Ihenetu and all Igbo in Ghana. The awards will only spur us to do more in the service to humanity.