The Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, on Friday at Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, inaugurated the Ukwa West chapter of the body.
In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, who was the first Mayor of Ukwa West Local Government Council, Mr. Newman Azu, commended the commitment of members of the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Abia State chapter towards making the organisation a very strong one in the State.
He noted that the values holding the Igbo society together were gradually being eroded, and called on the members to show greater dedication and make more sacrifices in the interest of all and sundry, adding that there was need for them to join hands with State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti to change the socio-political narratives in Abia.
“This is a job that requires sacrifice. This job is not a political job. If you do well, people will acknowledge you”, he told the members.
The former Mayor, who assured the organisation of his total support, expressed confidence in the ability of the Chairman of the Ukwa West chapter, Chief Silas Obiajuru Nlewem, to provide leadership to the organisation.
Speaking on the occasion, the President of Ndi Igbo, Abia State, Dr. C. C. Okwuonu, stated that all town unions in the Igbo speaking areas of Nigeria constituted the primary units of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, stressing that any adult Igbo who registers with his hometown union and town unions outside Igbo land were automatic members of Ohaneze.
He further said that the organisation is guided by six Igbo Social justice principles, namely; Igwe Bu Ike (Multitude is strength), Onye Aghala Nwanneya (Let no one leave his brother), Egbe Bere Ugo Bere (Let everyone exist), Ezi Okwu Bu Ndu (Truth is life), Onweghi Ihe Ka Ezigbo Aha (Nothing is better than a good name) and Nwanne Di Na Mba (There is a brother in another country).
The President urged the executive members of the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Ukwa West to work in harmony and accommodate all members of Ohaneze both old and new for effective mobilisation.
In his post inauguration speech, the Chairman, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, Ukwa West chapter, Chief Silas Nlewem, thanked the body at both the State and National levels for the confidence reposed in them, and assured of their commitment towards the vision of the body.
He said, “Our administration shall pursue with passionate vigour the promotion of Igbo Language, values, enterprise, and mutual cooperation among our people. We shall create platforms that amplify the voices of our youths, recognise the wisdom of elders, and celebrate the industrious spirit that distinguishes Ukwa West in the comity of local governments”.
Moving a vote of thanks, the Secretary of Ohaneze, Abia State, Pst. Innocent Adiele, expressed appreciation to those who honoured their invitation in spite of their busy schedules, and wished them journey mercies back to their individual homes.
The occasion attracted eminent personalities among whom were; former Secretary to the Abia State Government, Pst. Ralph Egbu, former candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) for the Ukwa East /Ukwa West Federal Constituency, in the 2023 general election, Engr. Adinigwe Ugochukwu Nwoke, Commissioner in the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Comrade Chibuike Alozie, Supervisory Councilor for Education, Ukwa West, Chief Dr. Chike Eugene Okpokiri and the Chief Press Secretary to the Ukwa West Local Government Chairman, Rev. Johnson Ihunanya Nwosu.
