President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, has reaffirmed his commitment to hand over to an indigene of Rivers State on Friday, January 10, 2025.
Chukwu spoke during the valedictory session of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of Ohanaeze Ndigbo which was held on Wednesday, at the National Secretariat in Enugu.
He said though his tenure as Ohanaeze President General is very brief, “what matters is the impact and legacy with which we will be remembered”.
“The millions of Igbo people all over the world are watching us with more than a passing interest on the quality of Ohanaeze leadership that will be enthroned on January 10, 2025.”
The Igbo leader reiterated that the success or failure of any organization is a function of its leadership recruitment process.
He explained that the Screening, Appeal and Electoral Committees for the purpose of the forthcoming Ohanaeze election comprise men and women whose public records and antecedents are above reproach.
He urged the people of Igbo extraction in Rivers State in particular and other Igbo states in general to ensure that only men and women of integrity and proven records of accomplishments are put forward to fill the offices zoned to the states in accordance with the rotation principles of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Chukwu said: “Every true Igbo looks forward to a vibrant Ohanaeze Ndigbo; a sociocultural organization that comprises men and women of honour, moral rectitude and selfless service, an organization that lives up to expectations and places the Igbo interest first in their policies and programmes.”
In addition, he said an Ohanaeze that “every Igbo will embrace with pride irrespective of political leaning, ideological persuasions and religious affiliations”.
Chukwu emphasized that for one to lead the Igbo, the person must have proven experience in leadership roles, particularly in cultural organizations, age grades, town unions, market associations or similar contexts.
“Evidently, the person must be well educated with demonstrable leadership traits, including strategic thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.
“Not only that, the person must have cultural competence; a deep understanding of Igbo culture, traditions, and values.
“Above all, such a person must have a profile of strong moral character, transparency, and accountability,” he added.
Chukwu also seized the opportunity to introduce two new Executive Orders with the first being on Membership Registration.
The Ohanaeze President-General lamented that since the Ohanaeze Ndigbo was founded in 1976, it has lacked the capacity to function effectively due to paucity of funds.
“He therefore proposed that every Igbo should pay a registration fee of One Hundred Naira per month or One Thousand Two Hundred Naira per anum; while affiliate organizations will pay Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira annually.”
He stressed that every proud Igbo will subscribe to the prescribed fees because we all aspire for a viable Ohanaeze with a strong economic base.
“Membership Registration gives one a sense of belonging, ownership, and participation. A committee comprising eminent Igbo was constituted to drive the process,” he said.
He identified the second Executive Order as the establishment of a Presidential Advisory Council, PAC, which is charged with Advisory, Representative, Oversight and Supportive Roles.
“It provides benefits of corporate knowledge and institutional memory. The PAC will offer strategic guidance, policy formulation, stake-holders engagements, community outreach, mentorship, fundraising, conflict resolutions, capacity-building, amongst others,” he said.
The two executive orders were approved by the NEC.
He later led the NEC to a tour of the Centre for Memories at No 2 Awgu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu.
The Igbo leader appealed to the Federal Government to put more efforts into the resolution of the state of insecurity in the South-East by assisting the states in reviving the industries and thereby providing employments to the teeming youths.
He added that to restore peace and order, there is the need for a balance of kinetic and non kinetic approaches.
Ohanaeze election: I’ll handover to someone from Rivers – President General, Chukwu