News
13 January 2010
Members of the Executive Committee met with the President General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo on 13th of January 2010 at 8 pm in a private residence in London. Present at the meeting were the following: Chief (Dr) E. E. Uzoalor-President, Onowu F. Ushedo-Deputy President, Dr N .E Igwe-Asst President, Mrs V. Eberendu-Asst President, Mr O. K. Ama-General Secretary, Chief C. Nwosu-Treasurer, Onowu A. Nwaenie-Chair Publicity Committee and Dr C. Jinanwa -Ex Asst President.
The President General informed Members that he was on a three-day private visit to the United Kingdom and was glad to meet with members of the executive. He also informed members that due to time constraint and the nature of his visit, it was not possible to meet all members of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo in the United Kingdom as requested by Chief (Dr) Uzoalor but will be able to do so on his next visit.
The President General thanked Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo UK for the show of appreciation in a letter delivered to him by our Deputy President Onowu Frank Ushedo at his residence "African House" in Ogwashi Uku Delta State, Nigeria on the 30th of November 2009. He lamented the lack of adequate resources to respond to our letter in writing and said that the condition will soon improve when a new Administrative Secretary is appointed to replace Late Chief Nnanyelugo Odunze Ani.
In response to our letter, the President General expressed his gratitude for the strong presence of Ohanaeze UK at the Igbo Day Celebrations in Owerri, Nigeria and was also delighted at what he called our humility to show appreciation for doing the job he was elected to perform. He said that he was excited that he now has partners to work with, in view of the thought provoking questions we asked in our letter. The President General stated that as important members of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora, we should not only be relevant but visible and vocal within the law in all matters affecting the Igbo.
On the disappointment felt by Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo UK on the absence of the State and Federal law makers of South East and the South East Governors at the Igbo Day Celebrations in Owerri on 29th of September, 2009, the President General said that their absence was unexpected and regrettable because all the South East Governors acknowledged his invitation but failed to turn up on the day. The PG however believes that with the various Igbo community leaders working in unity, the Igbo political leadership would one day realise that the only option for their continued mandate in the office or seeking political office will be to stand shoulder to shoulder with their Igbo electorate. In answer to the question whether the presence of MOSSOB was an embarrassment or an honour to the Igbo cause, the President General said that even though the emergence of MOSSOB are clearly an aberration to the avowed commitment of Ndi Igbo to a united Nigeria, their presence at the Igbo Day Celebrations was indeed an honour. He reiterated that MOSSOB is not an Igbo hallmark but a movement emanating from a sense of perceived rejection and persecution of a people who have given their all, in spirit and material resources to the concept and construction of a truly united and prosperous Nigerian. He was of the view that as Ndi Igbo, they were entitled to be at the gathering, as long as they did not disrupt the events. The President General narrated to members the journey of Ndi-Igbo in the Nigerian Project. He spoke of the position of Ndi-Igbo before, during and after the civil war. He highlighted the enormous contributions of Ndi-Igbo to the building and sustenance of the Nigerian Project. The President General said our aim should be to reassure ourselves as Ndi-Igbo, that in spite of a few hitches over the years, we have borne the brunt of the onerous task of nation building in Nigeria and have good cause to feel truly proud of our achievements in the Nigerian Project. He stated that his vision is to restore Ndi-Igbo to their former glory and insisted that it is achievable if we are united. IGWE BU IKE.The President General informed members that his administration has successfully registered the Igbo foundation, a charity organization for all Igbos. He further stated that the Foundation will help to finance Youth and Women projects. He concluded that all Igbos are equal stakeholders and are expected to make their contribution to this project.
Finally, Chief (Dr) E.E. Uzoalor thanked the President General for making it possible to meet members of his executive committee. Chief (Dr) Uzoalor then brought the President General up to speed about planned Igbo Convention in the United Kingdom. The President General said he was looking forward to the convention and would do everything within his powers to make it a huge success.
