…plans to make Igboland an industrial hub
Elder statesman, businessman and politician, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has been selected to be the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, with a promise to make the organisation financially self-sufficient.
The choice of the 80-year-old follows the death of the former President General of the apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Prof George Obiozor, in December. Obiozor hailed from Awo-Omamma, Imo State, and by the rotational clause guiding Ohanaeze Ndigbo, it was incumbent on Imo State to still produce his successor to complete the state’s remaining two years.
The Imo State Council of Elders, which adopted Iwuanyanwu, on Wednesday presented him to the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, as “the consensus candidate of the Council for the post of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo”.
At the presentation, Chairman of Imo State Council of Elders, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, described Chief Iwuanyanwu as a dynamic, versatile, purpose-driven and broad-minded personality of impeccable pedigree.
He appealed to the governor to grant his seal of support and approval to Iwuanyanwu’s adoption by the Council.
Receiving the elders, Governor Uzodimma called Chief Iwuanyanwu “well-known, not only to the Igbos and Nigeria, but all over the world with impeccable credentials and high level pedigree”.
He expressed happiness that the stakeholders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo were able to discover somebody who could appropriately fit into the vacuum created by the demise of the former President General, Prof. Obiozor.
“The choice of Iwuanyanwu is a right one that no individual/group can fault,” Uzodimma said.
Chief Iwuanyanwu, in his acceptance speech, described his adoption by the Imo State Council of Elders and his role as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as a “sacred duty”.
He said he was happy to accept the position, noting that it came as a surprise to him that the Igbos could unanimously accept to be led by one person without struggles.
He expressed the belief that God would lead him through.
Iwuanyanwu said his plans for Ohanaeze Ndigbo would include making the body financially self-sufficient, improving the agricultural sector in Igboland, setting up a council of academics in the area of education and generally, ensuring that Igboland becomes an industrial hub.
