President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, has urged the Igbo to ensure that only quality men and women with outstanding pedigree are elected to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, come January 10, 2025.
He explained that the Igbo are one of the leading lights of Africa and for that trajectory to be sustained, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo would be strengthened with officers with sterling and accomplished qualities.
Ozichukwu stated this at the National Secretariat, in Enugu that the effectiveness and viability of any organization or government is a function of the leadership recruitment process.
He expressed delight that the Imeobi Ohanaeze has resolved that there should be a screening committee to ensure that the incoming NEC comprised men and women with sound education, integrity, vision, knowledge of the Igbo cultural and ethical values, innovativeness, collaborative corporate relations, among others.
The Igbo leader recalled with nostalgia how the enviable Igbo unity during the Dr. M. I. Okpara regime propelled the Igbo to become one of the most educated ethnic groups in Africa.
“During the Okpara regime, almost all the schools, Churches, markets, hospitals, and other social facilities were through the organized town unions,” he said.
“There were farm settlements that provided the required agricultural techniques for improved farming activities. There was food sufficiency in Igbo land, but most regrettably, the subsequent Igbo leaders appeared to have abandoned their responsibilities.”
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He informed the NEC that it was the combination of Igbo internal peace, unity and food security on one hand and the credible accountable governance, on the other that registered Eastern Nigeria as one of the fastest growing economies in the world under Okpara.
Ozichukwu lamented that at present, all forms of agricultural produce ranging from yam, beans, tomatoes, cows, goats, ram, carrot, garden egg and others all come from the North.
He assured the NEC that he will develop a blueprint by which Ohanaeze will not only be complementing the good will of the state but in a position to discharge the diverse functions and overcome challenges as they arise.
Chukwu stated that though his days in office are numbered, he is determined to leave an impressive legacy behind.
For the forthcoming election, Chukwu directed the states’ representatives in the NEC to nominate three persons each; and that the persons for the election committee must be men and women of integrity and character.
He added that other names would be sourced from the affiliate bodies of Ohanaeze and the civil society. He tasked the NEC to make use of the town unions, market associations, and the diaspora communities.
