BEVERLY HILLS, February 08, (THEWILL) – Chief John Nnia Nwodo, the new President General of the Igbo umbrella organization, Ohanaeze Nidigbo, has called on Igbos to embrace his work plan of uniting the people for the enormous challenge ahead.
Nwodo, in an interaction with various segments of Igbo groups based in Abuja, said that the challenge before Ndigbo in today’s Nigeria is enormous and only a united and focused people can make a difference.
Nwodo who is on the first phase of his consultations with the people that would eventually take him from Abuja to Lagos told Ndigbo to bury what differences they might have and unite to confront the common enemy.
He declared that his leadership would seek to harmonize both political and corporate Ndigbo leaders with a view to having a common front for the development of the regions promising that the persistent marginalization of Ndigbo in the country would be a thing of the past if the people take their destiny in their hands and take their God given entrepreneurial skill home by investing in the spirit of Akurue uno (the wealth that reaches home).
“The goodwill and enthusiasm of the people on my emergence would only be the catalyst that would fire his determination to serve the people diligently,” he said.
On the IPOB and MASSOB agitations, Chief Nwodo said that “no reasonable father would disown his child publicly because he misbehaved pointing out that Nigerians should also ask themselves question regarding the circumstances that forced these youths to react the way they are doing.”
Nwodo said that there are apparent double standards in the handling of protesters in Nigeria by security agencies and wondered if there are different laws for different people.
The PG who was accompanied on the trip by some members of his executive committee was enthusiastically received by various segments of the people with dancing and singing.
Earlier on arrival in Abuja on Tuesday, he paid a courtesy call on the Palace of Igbo one, the Ezeigbo of Abuja, Chief Nwosu Ibe, who prayed for him and charged him to restore the pride of Ndigbo.
Among top Igbo elites who at various times met and discussed with the new Ohanaeze leaders were, former Governor of Anambra state, Okwadike Chukwuemeka Ezeife; former Ministers Tim Menakaya, Ihechukwu Madubuike, Frank Nweke Junior, Mrs Viola Onwuliri among others as well top business gurus from the region.
Nwodo is scheduled to visit Lagos and meet with various segments of Ndigbo including Alaba and ASMDA traders as well as Ndigbo Lagos group, Aka ikenga and the leadership of apex Yoruba socio political group, the Afenifere.
