A statement issued by the apex Igbo body on Thursday night, which was signed by Ohanaeze spokesman, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, said that the de-zoning of the organisation was part of an ongoing restructuring of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, to engender transparency and accountable leadership in the organisation.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo has divided the structure of the body into nine zonal chapters - three for Nigeria and six for the Diaspora.
A statement issued by the apex Igbo body on Thursday night, which was signed by Ohanaeze spokesman, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, said that the de-zoning of the organisation was part of an ongoing restructuring of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, to engender transparency and accountable leadership in the organisation.
According to the statement, the new structure, the 19 states and Abuja will have their headquarters in Abuja while the South West will have their headquarters in Lagos; and the South East will have its headquarters at Enugu.
It said, "The Ohanaeze Diaspora structure has the continent of Europe with the headquarters in London; the continent of North America and Canada with headquarters in Washington, DC; the continent of South America and the Caribbean with headquarters in Brazil; the continent of Asia with headquarters in China; continent of Africa with Headquarters in South Africa; continent of Australia and New Zealand and all the surrounding Islands with headquarters in Australia."
Ogbonnia said that an International Market will be built in Igboland, adding that upon the completion of the project, all the Igbo traders will be expected to own a market store in Igboland.
"This will create job opportunities, enhance goods and services, and ultimately increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the country.
"As a corollary to the above, the Igbo Leader will hold a Summit of Igbo Traders Associations in Nigeria and some parts of Africa," the organisation said.
According to the statement, a new date for the Ohanaeze Northern Convention has been fixed for Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24, 2023.
"The President General called for the harmonization of the officers of the various factions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the Abuja in order to produce a united peaceful executive," the statement said.
Expressing satisfaction that the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma has offered amnesty to all 'unknown gunmen hiding in the bush, the apex Igbo body urged all the Igbo governors to follow suit and key into the amnesty programme.
"The Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges the young men to take advantage of the amnesty programme for peace to reign in Igboland," it said.
The statement noted that Ohanaeze President General during the meeting announced the establishment of a Special Committee, known as the “Committee for Reconciliation and Peace Building in Nigeria” with Dr Dominic Okechukwu as the Chairman while Dr Joseph Ibekwe serves as Secretary.
"Also the President General Inaugurated the Elders Council for Abuja and the Northern States of Nigeria. The Council is Chaired by His Excellency Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Chief SN Okeke as the Deputy while Prof. Charles Nwekeaku is the Secretary."