From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Emeritus Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala, has dismissed claims of a split in the organisation, insisting that the group has no faction and that its globally recognised leadership is headed by Nze Emeka Coleman Chukwudelunzu as President, with himself as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Prof. Nwala gave the clarification following insinuations circulating on some social media platforms alleging the existence of an Awuzie-led faction of ADF and raising questions about which leadership was authentic.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, February 18, Prof. Nwala stressed that Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) under Nze Emeka Coleman Chukwudelunzu occupies the ADF office at 38B Umuezebi Street, Upper Chime, New Haven, Enugu, and has continued to make global strides in advancing Igbo culture and development.
Prof. Nwala wrote, “Dear Compatriots, I have felt deeply embarrassed to read some posting on the ADF Platform on the question of which is the AUTTHENTIC ADF? And to this, very shameful references are made to what is referred to as THE AWUZIE ADF.
” To make matters worse, a so-called AI EVIDENCE is adduced. Still equally painful, this porting comes from people who regard themselves as members of the ADF Executive.
“How can anyone at this point of our struggle be referring to the AWUZIE ADF when Prof Awuzie and his group are no where near the ADF Secretariat at 39B Umuezebi Street, Upper Chime Avenue.
“When there is a CAC Certificate of Recognition of ADF leadership with Nze Emeka Coleman Chukwudelunzu as President and Emeritus Professor T. Uzodinma Nwala as Chairman of the Board of Trustees;
“When there is a CAC Certificate showing the removal of all the former members of ADF Board of Trustees who had exhausted the Constitutionally guaranteed tenure of their term.
” When there is a CAC Certificate showing the list of the new members of ADF Board of Trustees with Emeritus Prof T. Uzodinma Nwala as Chairman and Nze Emeka Coleman Chukwudelunzu as President.
“When the letter written to the CAC by the dissidents ridiculously announcing the removal of Emeritus Professor T. Uzodinma Nwala as ADF Chairman was dismissed by the CAC.
“When all attempts made by the dissidents to abort the holding of ADF Tenth Anniversary at Umuahia was ignored by the authorities of the Abia State Government.
“When the current ADF leadership enjoys global respect and recognition, etc’, Professor Nwala butressed.
However, he urged the dissidents to stop fomenting crisis and return to the fold, warning that those who continue to cause trouble would face administrative action.
He words : “Dear Colleagues we may pardon any member of ADF who commits this type of grievous sabotage against ADF this time around, but this communication should be taken as a very serious final warning.”
Checks revealed that Nigerian Copyright Commission, Abuja update on ADF, dated March 4, 2024, has Emeritus Prof. T.U. Nwala as Copyright Owner, while the Corporate Affairs Commission updated registration (70806) of ADF is dated October 3, 2024, with address at Suite B04 Gouba Plaza, Plot 171, Ekukinam Street, Utako district, Abuja.
The CAC status report confirmed that ADF was initially registered on July 8, 2014, with a specification that the position of Board of Trustees of the organisation is for life.
