The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has undergone a restructuring of its structure, now divided into nine zonal chapters on a global scale. These chapters are distributed into three zones within Nigeria and six in the diaspora.
This restructuring, as explained by Ohanaeze spokesman Dr. Alex Ogbonnia in a statement provided to The PUNCH on Friday, is a part of the ongoing reorganization of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. The primary goal of this restructuring is to promote transparency and accountability within the organization’s leadership.
The new structure designates the entire 19 northern states and Abuja as a single chapter with its headquarters in Abuja. The South-West chapter will be based in Lagos, and the East chapter will have its headquarters in Enugu.
“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 traders will be expected to own a market store. “This will create job opportunities, enhance goods and services, and ultimately increase Gross Domestic Product 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.”
According to the statement, a new date for the Ohanaeze Northern Convention has been fixed for Thursday 23, and Friday 24 of November 2023.
“The President General called for the harmonisation of the officers of the various factions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the Abuja in order to produce a united peaceful executive.”
The body expressed satisfaction with the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma’s move to offer amnesty to all the “unknown gunmen” who were hiding in bushes, urging 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.”
The statement noted that the President General, during the meeting, announced the establishment of a special committee known as the ‘Committee for Reconciliation and Peacebuilding in Nigeria’ with Dr Dominic Okechukwu as the chairman and Dr Joseph Ibekwe 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 with Chief SN Okeke as the Deputy and Prof. Charles Nwekeaku as the Secretary.”
