Guild of Imo Elders has reached an agreement and revealed their take on the leadership of the Socio-Cultural organization of Ndi Igbo Worldwide, the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo at their meeting held on December 3, 2024 in Owerri, Imo State.
This was revealed in a Communique signed by Dr. Pascal Dozie BOT Chairman, Prof. Francis Dike, SAN Deputy Chairman and BOT Member, H. E. Maj. Gen. CRU Ihekire, Rtd, OMC (Rwanda), JP. BOT Member, H. E. Commodore Luke Ochulor, Rtd. BOT Member, Engr Charles Ugwuh, OON BOT Member and Elder Chief Ihemdavis, Secretary.
The Communique reads, “After elaborate discussions at the meeting, it was agreed as follows;
“1. That we recognize Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo as the Socio-Cultural organization of Ndi Igbo Worldwide with a registered constitution;
2. that there is a Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Rivers State.
3. “that the Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo guarantees rotation, in alphabetical order, of President General and Deputy President General, hence late Chief Joel Kroham from Rivers State was Deputy President General to late George Obiozo. If he did not die before Obiozo, he would have succeeded him automatically.
4. In compliance with the Constitution, Imo State produced the President General in Obiozor and the next State in alphabetical order which is Rivers State Chapter, produced Deputy President General of the organization.
5. Following the same constitution, the President General now should, in obedience to the same age long practice contained in our constitution, rotate to our kiths and kin in Rivers State;
6. Igbo leaders should avoid the politicization and hijacking of our social-cultural organisation by partisan political and other cultural forces from outside;
7. Ohaneze should emulate
Afenefere by embracing the kith and kin wherever they are in Nigeria into the Ohanaeze fold instead of rejecting them anywhere they are to assuage personal and outside interests.
8. No Igbo is more Igbo than another”.
