S/East  stakeholders urge Iwuanyanwu not to quit leadership  roles in the zone

 

. Arthur Eze lauds Buhari for devt. strides in region

VICTOR DURUAMAKU,  Owerri

The leadership and elders of  the Igbo Nation have called  on the elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu  not to relinquish  his leadership roles in the polity of the Ndigbo as he  quits  partisan  politics, until credible  leaders emerge

 

The Igbo  elders and leaders  who conferred Chief Iwuanyanwu  with the  distinguished  meritorious leadership  award described him as  a bridge for unity

 

They said, “We the Igbo elders and leaders have  pleaded with Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu not to withdraw from leadership roles of the Igbo nation until he has mentored and brought up credible leaders from the younger and upcoming generation who will take over from him”

 

The leader of the Anambra group of the organization Justice Alpha Ikpeama made the appeal when he led some Igbo Indigenous Elders and Stakeholders from some Eastern States to pay a courtesy visit to Chief Iwuanyanwu and some Imo Elders in his office in Owerri to brief them on the formation and activities of the organization as well as to honour Chief Iwuanyanwu for his leadership roles in Igboland.

 

Justice Ikpeama while extolling the sterling leadership qualities of Iwuanyanwu said that many young leaders in not only Igboland and across the nation were products of his mentorship adding that he should ensure that they are properly groomed to take over.

 

He said that leaving leadership role without having those to take over will leave quality leadership gap in Igboland.

 

Justice Ikpeama said the organization was formed for good leadership and mentorship by such great leaders like Chief Iwuanyanwu and the likes of Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi.

 

He said that Chief Amaechi is no longer physically agile like Chief Iwuanyanwu and urged him to use has physical strength and mobility to ensure effective takeover of leadership by the younger generation.

 

According to him, the present day youths need to be properly guided and their mentality re-oriented in the right direction adding that the more reason there seems to be loopholes among the youths is the perceived disunity among the elders. He said that if the elders come together and speak with one voice, the youths will emulate them.

 

He enjoined Iwuanyanwu whom he described as a very strong voice in the nation’s polity to continue with his leadership roles to the youths.

 

Ikpeama commended Iwuanyanwu on his decision to quit partisan politics and advised him not to abandon his leadership roles but to continue to guide the younger generation.

 

He also appealed to him to takeover not only the leadership of Imo chapter but the entire South East bearing in mind that his wealth of experience as the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders Council will be a great asset to the organization.

 

Responding, the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders Council Chief Iwuanyanwu thanked the Igbo Indigenous Elders and Stakeholders Leadership Organisation for honouring him with Distinguished Leadership Award in recognition of his sterling quality leadership role in Igbo nation and globally.

 

Iwuanyanwu applauded the organizers of the Forum for their well thought out organization pointing out that it will be a strong body to assist Ohanaeze Ndigbo in its activities.

 

He said that the leadership gap and non-unification of Ndigbo led him and some leaders like Sir Jerome Udoji, Prof. Ben Nwabueze to resuscitate Ohanaeze Ndigbo when he came out to vie for the Presidency of Nigeria.

 

He described the organization as a very credible one that help in uniting Ndigbo pointing out that it should have various organs at all levels.

 

Iwuanyanwu maintained that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is like a religion in Igboland and stated that the organization is approved by Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

 

He said that a meeting of all states would be held to discuss the modus operandi and how to forge ahead as it will help to identify the elders wherever they are, advising the organization to have a constitution as a guide.

 

Iwuanyanwu assured them of his support at all times and commended their efforts to bring all elders of Igboland together to fashion a way out and give direction and leadership to the younger and upcoming generation.

 

He also called for peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups adding that his intervention with the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo stalled what would have been a progrom after the death of Ahmed Gulak in Imo State.

 

In his speech a former deputy Governor of Imo State thanked the group for visiting Imo State to brief the elders on what the group is all about and what it intends to achieve in Igboland.

 

A member of the Igbo Indigenous Elders and Stakeholders Organization, Bishop Emeka Chinwuba eulogized  Iwuanyanwu for his forthright leadership and qualities.

 

The Clergyman said that the title Ahaejiagamba given to Chief Iwuayanwu by the seven Igbo speaking states was a well-deserved one and urged him to use his revered position across the federation to ensure that Ndigbo do not loose out in the affairs of the country.

 

He thanked God for the life of Chief Iwuanyanwu whom he described as a rare gift to Igbo nation and Nigeria. He said that his speech and reception has revived and rejuvenated them.

 

Among those on the delegation were Justice Alpha Ikpeama, Chief Arthur Obierika, Hon. Engr. Emeka Ibe and Bishop Dr. Emeka B. Chinwuba.

 

The Imo Elders present were Chief (Dr.)Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, two former Governors of Imo State Dr. Douglas Acholonu & Engr. Ebere Udeagu, Sr. Eustace Eke, Prince Lemmy Akakem (Okpata Ozuoha) and the Secretary General of Owerri Peoples Assembly Comrade Ben Osuagwu.

 

Prince Arthur Eze Lauds President Buhari For Development Strides In South-East

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has received accolades on the infrastructural development in the South-East, particularly the second Niger Bridge, which has attained about 70% completion and slated for commissioning before the end of 2022.

 

Oil tycoon, Prince Arthur Eze, gave the plaudits during a private visit to the President Tuesday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

 

The businessman urged Nigerians to always preach peace as against hate, and draw lessons from countries suffering the effect of war.

 

He pledged loyalty and commitment to the unity, peace and indivisibility of Nigeria, urging President Buhari to stay focused and not be distracted by agitations for separatism rocking some parts of the country.

 

“There are countless Igbos scattered around the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, who live happily in peace, and do their legitimate businesses without complaint of marginalization. No matter what, let’s tolerate one another and always embrace the spirit of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation. God that brought us together has not made a mistake. I have no other country than Nigeria, let’s join hands and solve our problems ourselves,” Prince Eze said.

 

He commended the President on the successes recorded in the North-East where Boko Haram fighters are surrendering in droves, urging more efforts in the North-West against bandits and other criminals.

 

Prince Eze counselled government to give more opportunities to local outfits like the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Corporation, to print election ballot papers, sensitive security documents, certificates, local, state and Federal Government revenue and treasury receipts, passports, and others, since it had the capacity to do so.

 

President Buhari thanked Prince Eze for visiting and for his good wishes for the country and government at all times.