Senator John Azuta-Mbata on Friday elected as the 13th President-General of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Mr Azuta-Mbata emerged new Ohanaeze President General during the election for the new executives of the Igbo group in Enugu.
However, the former senator replaces the immediate past president-general of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Fidelis Chukwu, whose tenure ended on Friday.
During the election, former deputy governor of Anambra state, Nnaemeka Sibeudu, emerged the Secretary-General of the apex Igbo organisation.
All the executive members, 15 in general emerged as consensus candidates from various Igbo speaking states, during the Ohanaeze General Assembly meeting held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu.
In attendance are the chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, his Anambra State counterpart, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Dr Alex Otti of Abia State, their Ebonyi State colleague, Chief Francis Nwifuru who was represented by his deputy, as well as the host governor, Dr. Peter Mbah of Enugu State.
Earlier while welcoming his brother governors, delegates and other members of the Ohanaeze, the Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah said the gathering offers the Igbos a little room of introspection regarding the noble vision that inspired the forebears towards its founding, noting that the Igbos are bound by common history and cultural heritage.
He stressed the need for a strong and united front by Ndigbo, urging all to put the Igbo interest above narrow interests and partisan politics.
Mbah noted that the socio-political circumstances that gave birth to the pan-Igbo body remained relevant in present-day Nigeria as they were in the 1970s.
He said: “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 a 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 would later become Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1979, the motivation had always been the desire to forge unity and deep brotherhood amongst the Igbo.
“For them, the collective interest was all that mattered; not narrow interest shaped by party affiliation and boundary lines.”
He added, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo represents the soul of our people, and is firmly anchored on the conviction that we are stronger together. That soul of the people is our unifying force.
“The socio-political circumstances that gave birth to Ohanaeze Ndigbo are as relevant today as they were in the 1970s. So, we’d never needed this group more than we do today.
“Our founders and forebears were great men and women ahead of their time. They left for us a glimpse of how much that can be achieved when fostering brotherhood is the defining essence of leadership.
“The Premiers of the old Eastern Region, who governed from here, left indelible imprints visible in Enugu as much as in towns like Port Harcourt, Abakaliki, Owerri, Aba, Onitsha, Umuahia, etc.
“That is the definition of statesmanship. Our forebears were statesmen, who appreciated the expediency of rising above partisan politics when the call of unity beckoned.
“We will certainly achieve far more when we fully embrace the value of speaking as a collective voice – not as lone, discordant voices,” he stated.
Reiterating the place of unity in achieving the Igbo collective interest, Mbah added, “One of the simplest – but most profound – lessons that best convey the importance of unity is the quiver of arrows metaphor. A single arrow can be broken with much ease. But a stack of arrows stays firm even under an intense squeeze.
“The summary is that failing to unite leaves us prone as a single arrow. Standing as a unit imbues us with the resilience of the entire stack. Let us be like a stack of arrows.
“It is in our collective interest to work towards that goal – not by mere wish but through our actions.”
Also, the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, senator Hope Uzodimma who commended Dr Mbah for making Enugu a home, advised the new Ohanaeze leadership to uphold the tenets of quality and all-inclusive leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the new leadership Ohanaeze, the President General worldwide, Senator Azuka Mbata who pledged to take the organisation to a greater height, extolled his predecessor, Nze Fidelis Chukwu who completed the remaining tenure of late Chief Iwuanyanwu, for his efforts in organising the event.
He thanked the governors of the Igbo speaking states as well as the people of the zone for their support and resilience, assuring that the confidence reposed in his will not be a waste.
