Ohanaeze Restructures, Creates 6 Zonal Chapters Abroad, 3 In Nigeria

The apex Igbo social-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been restructured into nine global Zonal Chapters with three for Nigeria and six zones for the Diaspora for effective leadership.

According to a statement by the Ohanaeze spokesman, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, the President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, made this known during a meeting with selected leaders of the group in the Northern Zone at his residence on Tuesday, 17 October 2023 where he gave a progress report on various issues.

He stated that the restructuring was part of an ongoing reorganisation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu to engender transparency and accountability in the leadership of the organisation.

According to Dr Ogbonnia, the 19 northern states and Abuja will have their headquarters in Abuja; the South West, with their headquarters in Lagos; and the East with the headquarters in Enugu.

The statement indicated that the Ohanaeze Diaspora structure has the continent of Europe with the headquarters in London; others include the continent of North America and Canada with headquarters in Washington, DC; South America and the Caribbean with headquarters in Brazil; the continent of Asia with headquarters in China; continent of Africa with Headquarters in South Africa; continent of Australia and New Zealand and all the surrounding Islands with headquarters in Australia.

The statement also said the Ohanaeze PG also hinted on the state of building International Market in Igboland. adding that upon completion of the project, all the Igbo traders would be expected to own a market store in Igboland which will create job opportunities, enhance goods and services and ultimately increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the country.

In view of the above, the Igbo Leader will hold a Summit of Igbo Traders Associations in Nigeria and some parts of Africa which has been scheduled to hold in Jan. 2024.

“As a corollary to the above, the Igbo Leader will hold a Summit of Igbo Traders Associations in Nigeria and some parts of Africa.”

The group also expressed very deep concern over the insecurity in the South East and the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The President General Chief Iwuanyanwu was therefore mandated to immediately seek appointment for the Igbo leaders to meet with the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in respect of the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, amongst other security issues in the South East.

Ohanaeze also expressed satisfaction with the Amnesty Offered by Sen. Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, to all the unknown gunmen in the state and promised to offer full employment to as many youths that denounce nefarious activities. The body urged other South East Governors to key into the Amnesty programme in their respective states.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges the young men to take advantage of the amnesty programme for peace to reign in Igboland.”

The statement further disclosed that Chief Iwuanyanwu also announced the establishment of a Special Committee, known as the “Committee for Reconciliation and Peace Building in Nigeria” with Dr. Dominic Okechukwu as the Chairman while Dr. Joseph Ibekwe is the Secretary. The other members of the Committee will be announced later.

The statement further noted that the President General also “inaugurated the Elders Council for Abuja and the Northern States of Nigeria. The Council is chaired by His Excellency Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife with Chief SN Okeke as the Deputy and Prof. Charles Nwekeaku as the Secretary.”

Some of the dignitaries that attended the meeting include: His Excellencies, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, and Sen. Chris Ngige. Others include Sen. Joy Emordi, Ambassador Eddy Onuoha, Ken Emechebe, Chief Sam Obaji, among others.

Ugochi Okoro