The National Executive Council (NEC) of the apex Igbo cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has passed a vote of confidence on its President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo.
Rising from an emergency NEC meeting on Monday, the organisation said that Chief Nwodo was not only transparent in his leadership of the body but was also articulate and vocal in his pursuit of fairness and equity for Ndigbo in the country.
They condemned in its entirety the recent bomb attack on Chief Nwodo which they said was cowardly and unwarranted.
The NEC wondered why anybody would want to harm Chief Nwodo whom they said was working assiduously to restore Ndigbo to their rightful place in Nigeria.
Ohanaeze called on the security apparati in the country not to treat the bombing incident with levity but to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
They urged the President General not to be deterred by the attack on him but to be resolved to continue the focused leadership he was presenting to Ndigbo, adding that posterity would give him a deserving place in the annals of Ndigbo.
Meanwhile, representatives of Ohanaeze in Abuja led by retired General Collins Ihekire came to the NEC meeting to bring their goodwill and solidarity message to the President General, Chief Nwodo.
Delivering a letter of support and encouragement to Chief Nwodo, General Ihekire said that Ndigbo in Abuja were highly elated and proud of his deposition on behalf of the South West, South South, South East and Middle Belt at the visit to the Senate leadership.
He said that Chief Nwodo by his oratory, articulation and poignancy succeeded in enthralling the entire nation in his delivery and thanked him for raising the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to an enviable and commendable pedestal.
They pledged to always contribute their quota to the upliftment of the parent body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Responding, Chief Nwodo stated that he was humbled by the encomiumss poured on him and assured them that he would never abdicate the role given to him by the entire Ndigbo.
The President General decried the proliferation of Igbo traditional rulers in Abuja and other major cities where Ndigbo reside was nauseating and embarrassing to Ndigbo.
He called on Ohanaeze In Abuja to set up an organ that would regulate the emergence of Igbo Ezes in Abuja.
Chief Nwodo also urged them to undertake the enumeration of Ndigbo in Abuja.
Th President General stated that cognizant of the enormous duty ahead of Ohanaeze NEC, its membership was peopled by highranking Ndigbo who had distinguished themselves in various spheres of life, such as a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, a former Deputy Governor and presently Vice-Chancellor, a Senior Advocte of Nigeria, a retired Commissioner of Police and a formerAttorney General among others.
He said that this had uplifted the level of discussions and contributions at meetings leading to very important decisions on behalf of Ndigbo and assured them that they would never relent.
Chief Emeka Attamah
SA to PG
