The Expanded Global Executive Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has passed a unanimous vote of confidence in its President-General, Senator Azuta Mbata, rating his leadership performance “summa cum laude” while approving academic bursaries for 200 students studying Igbo Language in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The resolutions were reached at a one-day retreat of the Expanded Global Executive Council, comprising members of the Global Executive Committee and state presidents, held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide National Secretariat in Enugu.
In a statement issued on August 19 by the organisation’s Global Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, Ohanaeze said the retreat provided an opportunity to review its activities, achievements, challenges and prospects while strengthening its institutional capacity to fulfil its mandate as the apex socio-cultural organisation of Ndigbo.
According to Chukwu, members unanimously commended Senator Mbata’s leadership and the progress recorded under his administration over the past one and a half years, culminating in the unanimous vote of confidence.
The council also resolved to improve internal coordination, strengthen operational methods, enhance communication between the Global Executive Committee and state structures, establish clearer performance targets and adopt innovative approaches to administration.
A major outcome of the retreat was the approval of academic bursaries for 200 students studying Igbo Language in tertiary institutions across the country.
Announcing the initiative, Senator Mbata said the scheme was designed to encourage the study of Igbo, support students pursuing the discipline and contribute to efforts to preserve the language and prevent its extinction.
The council described the bursary programme as a flagship initiative of the Mbata administration and a significant intervention in preserving and promoting Igbo language, culture and identity.
Ohanaeze said the initiative would complement its ongoing Professorial Endowment Chair in selected universities, established to promote research into Igbo language and culture.
The organisation said supporting students of Igbo Language was particularly important to sustaining the language among younger generations and strengthening the cultural identity of the Igbo people.
Beyond the bursary scheme, the Expanded Global Executive Council pledged to build on the organisation’s existing achievements while addressing identified gaps through collective responsibility and sustained engagement.
It also resolved to deepen collaboration between the global leadership and state structures to improve the implementation of Ohanaeze programmes and strengthen its overall effectiveness.
The resolutions, according to Chukwu, reflect the organisation’s renewed emphasis on leadership accountability, education, cultural preservation and institutional development.
