South-East Governors have pledged strong support for Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Governors in the South-East Zone have pledged to support and strengthen the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in order to promote the development of the region.
This Nigeria news platform understands that the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, pledged the group’s General Assembly held in Enugu on Friday.
The forum was to elect new executives for the group.
Uzodimma said: “I speak for myself and on behalf of other governors in Ohanaeze States.
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“We congratulate Ndi Igbo for the new dawn, the harmonious manner, quality of organisation and the conduct we witnessed in this convention since we arrived in Enugu.”
He lauded Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State for hosting the convention on behalf of the region.
“The governors of southeast states came together and resolved to strengthen Ohanaeze Ndigbo and to give strong support to it.
“We also agreed to make it worthy of the dreams of the founders and to discourage all forms of rascality, bad behaviour and conduct among the elected members and members of Ohanaeze.
“We will encourage those things that bring us together and shun those things that divide us as a people,” he said.
According to him, the governors of the region have agreed to work in unity to move the region forward.
“We have also decided that those to be elected into the new executives of Ohanaeze must have a second address and supported by their home state so that we have somebody to hold responsible in case of bad behaviour.
“The governors want Ohanaeze to unite as a family to look for homegrown solutions to our problems,” the governor added.
Mbah, on his, part stressed the need for unity in the region, urging the people to put the Igbo interest above narrow interests and partisan politics.
He noted that the socio-political circumstances that gave birth to the pan-Igbo body were still in place in the country.
Mbah extolled the leadership pedigree of Igbo leaders such as Dr Michael Okpara, whom he said demonstrated so much, could be achieved when patriotism, altruism, and a sense of brotherhood were at the core of leadership.
“We may be gathered here for the crucial task of electing members into the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, but this epic event yet offers room for introspection regarding the noble vision that inspired our forebears towards its founding.
“The ties that bind us run deep and transcend geographical boundaries, for we are bound by a common history and cultural heritage.
“Our forebears clearly understood this.
” They understood, as well, that unity is a formidable force.
“From the Igbo Federal Union to the Igbo State Union and the Igbo Forum that later became Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1979; the motivation had always been the desire to forge unity and deep brotherhood amongst the Igbo,’ Mbah said.
Also speaking, the outgoing President General of the group, Artichoke Chukwu, said the four years tenure for Imo had come to an end.
He said that the memories, lessons, and experiences would stay with members forever.
Chukwu said that a better, unified, vibrant, proactive, and resilient Ohanaeze would commence with a credible leadership recruitment process.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Sen Azuta Mbata from Ikwere, Rivers State, emerged as the new President General.
