PG of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator Mbata, flanked with EXCO members
…..as youth leader pleads for the release of MNK
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide led by Senator John Azuta Mbata,vhas vowed to revive Igbo language and culture to regain it’s pride of place among recognized languages of communication globally.
The reason hinges on the fact that the Igbo-speaking tribes are found in more than seven states in Nigeria, whereas Igbos in diaspora are found in almost all communities in the world.
The Senator Mbata-led new Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership dropped this hint as one of the decisions reached at its inaugural meeting held on Friday, February 7, at National secretariat of the organization,located at No.7 Park avenue, GRA,vEnugu.
Giving highlights to newsmen thereafter, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide,Dr Ezechi Chukwu, explained that there are also pockets of Igbo tribes in the states of Kogi, Benue, Cross River, among others in addition to the seven states of Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states, with huge Igbo population.
He stressed that the revival of Igbo language and culture will help in promoting the nation,s diverse but rich cultural heritages as well as consolidating socio economic development of Nigeria.
He disclosed that a committee headed by Ohanaeze deputy President General,Chief Okey Nwadinobi was constituted to work in that direction.
According to Dr.Chukwu,the committee on Igbo language and culture revival through their research will detail the historical back ground of the Igbo nation,their culture, enterprise and commitment to nation building. He disclosed that the committee was given the mandate to co opt Igbo scholars,the academia and the traditional institution in the cause of their research.
Dr Chukwu mentioned other committees constituted at the inaugural meeting to include the committee on Peace and Conflict Resolution headed by Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey, a former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and a committee to produce a work plan for development of the Igbo nation was also constituted..
Meanwhile, a former National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Arthur Obiora, has appraised the election of Senator Mbata as the new President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide,as the best thing to occur in the history of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo,which is the apex body of all other Igbo socio cultural organisation’s.
The former Youth Leader in a telephone chat with The AUTHORITY, said the election of Senator Mbata as satisfying the rotation principle embedded in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo constitution.
He described Senator Mbata as a man with proven integrity who will bring his experience to bear in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.
Chief Obiora tasked the Senator Mbata led Ohanaeze Ndigbo to plead the case of securing the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from incarceration,as one of his foremost activities.
The former Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide Youth Leader promised to give all the necessary support to the new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Senator Mbata,in the task of advancing the cause of the Igbo nation.
