Elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has been presented to the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma as the replacement for the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof George Obiozor.
The presentation was made to the governor by a delegation of the Imo Elders Council led by the Chairman, HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, at the New Executive Council Chambers Government House, Owerri on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.
Members of the Imo Elders Council were there to formally present to the governor the communique on the outcome of their meeting with regard to the Imo State Charter of Equity and to also present to him their choice, Chief Iwuanyanwu, as the replacement for the late Obiozor.
Governor Uzodinma expressed delight over the visit and the opportunity to host the Elders and congratulated Iwuanyanwu for his choice and adoption by the Imo Elders to be the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
He acknowledged that “Iwuanyanwu is well–known, not only to the Igbos and Nigeria but all over the world with impeccable credentials and high-level pedigree.”
The governor noted that he was happy that the stakeholders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo were able to discover somebody who can appropriately fit into the vacuum created by the demise of Obiozor, and emphasised that “the choice of Iwuanyanwu is a right one that no individual/group can fault.”
Governor Uzodinma promised that the government under his watch will religiously help to implement the recent Imo Charter of Equity as proposed and endorsed by the Imo State Council of Elders at its first quarterly meeting on April 13, 2023 in Owerri.
While thanking the elders for proposing and adopting the Charter of Equity, Uzodinma said he strongly believes it is a “roadmap towards political stability, peace and inclusiveness of all the zones in Imo State.”
According to him, he was convinced that the Imo Charter of Equity will ensure equity, help douse political tensions and ensure peace.
“The Charter of Equity is not intended to muscle the political ambition of any person, rather it is to ensure harmony, peace and it will enlarge the political space for all,” he said.
In his address earlier, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Elders, Eze Ilomuanya said the members did not only come to present Chief Iwuanyanwu as “the consensus candidate of the Council for the post of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” but also “the Imo Charter of Equity to His Excellency, Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma the Executive Governor of Imo State.”
He described Chief Iwuanyanwu as a dynamic, versatile, purpose-driven, and broad-minded personality of impeccable pedigree and appealed to the Governor to grant his seal of support and approval to his adoption by the Council.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Iwuanyanwu described his adoption and the role he is to play as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide as a “sacred duty.”
He expressed happiness in accepting the position and said it was also a surprise that Igbo people can unanimously accept that one person should lead them without struggles, noting that he believes that God will lead him through.
He said his plans for Ohanaeze Ndigbo will 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.