Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, reiterated his pledge to turn over to a Rivers State native On Friday, January 10, 2025,.
Chukwu gave a speech on Wednesday at the National Secretariat in Enugu during the National Executive Committee, or NEC, of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s farewell meeting.
Despite his limited term as President General of Ohanaeze, he stated that “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 reaffirmed that an organization’s leadership recruitment procedure determines whether it succeeds or fails.
He clarified that men and women with impeccable public records and antecedents make up the Screening, Appeal, and Electoral Committees for the next Ohanaeze election.
In line with Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s rotation principles, he urged the Igbo extraction community in Rivers State, and in other Igbo states generally, to make sure that only men and women with integrity and a track record of accomplishments are nominated to fill the offices zoned to the states.
Chukwu stated: “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.”
“Every Igbo will embrace with pride irrespective of political leaning, ideological persuasions, and religious affiliations,” he added in an Ohanaeze.
Chukwu stressed that in order to be a leader of the Igbo, a person must have demonstrated leadership experience, especially in age groups, market associations, town unions, cultural organizations, or similar settings.
“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 took advantage of the occasion to issue two new Executive Orders, the first of which dealt with membership registration.
The president-general of Ohanaeze bemoaned the lack of funding that has prevented the Ohanaeze Ndigbo from operating efficiently since its founding in 1976.
As a result, he suggested that each Igbo pay a registration fee of 100 Naira per month or 2,000 Naira annually, while affiliate organizations would pay 200,000 Naira annually.
We all want a viable Ohanaeze with a solid economic foundation, so he emphasized that every proud Igbo will pay the required fees.
“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 named the creation of a Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), which has advisory, representative, oversight, and supportive functions, as the second Executive Order.
“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 NEC gave its approval to the two executive directives.
The Centre for Memories, located at No. 2 Awgu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, was subsequently toured by the NEC under his direction.
The Igbo leader urged the federal government to work more to end the South-East’s insecurity situation by helping the states revive their industries and provide jobs for the hordes of young people.
He went on to say that a balance between kinetic and non-kinetic methods is required to bring peace and order back.
