Chinedum Treasure
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has elected Mr. Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu from Imo State as its new President General.
The election which took place during the Ime-Obi meeting held in Enugu on Saturday followed demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness.
Ohanaeze’s spokesman, Dr. Alex Ogbonna, who disclosed this in a statement, said Imeobi/General Assembly meeting, which was attended by notable Igbo leaders, aimed to review events since Iwuanyanwu’s passing.
The Imeobi resolved to allow Imo State to complete its remaining 27 days in office, as its tenure expires on January 10, 2025.
The meeting further agreed that the next Ohaneze President-General will be elected based on Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s constitutional provisions.
Meanwhile, some quarters within the Igbo setting have expressed opposition to this development, alleging that the APC has hijacked Ohanaeze leadership.
But in a reaction, the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing, led by Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, has said Ozichukwu’s emergence, marks the beginning of a new dawn.
According Okpalaezeukwu, who spoke to newsmen in Awka, the emergence of the Harvard-trained elder statesman is a reward for his unwavering commitments and dedication towards Ndigbo.
He said; “Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu, is a top flight technocrat who has distinguished himself in his previous assignments in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and Nigeria at large.
“The election of Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu as a prophecy foretold and long overdue and also in line with the Provisions of Ohanaeze Constitution.
“With his election by the Imeobi/General Assembly, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu possesses a daring quality of boldness and profound sense of sound leadership ethos which is the key element that stood him apart from others.
“It is equally gratifying to note that his impact sweeps across Nigeria and beyond the heart of our communities where he is hailed as a visionary leader with a commanding,but proactive approach to tackling critical assignments, which is a rare blend of intellect and intuition.”