The Igbo Community in Cross River State has called for stronger collaboration with the state government following the election of Chief Sir Kenneth Okpalaeke as its new president, with stakeholders urging the incoming leadership to consolidate peace, unity and community development.

The peaceful election, held yesterday in Calabar, was described by community leaders as transparent and credible.

 President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Cross River State Chapter, High Chief Chukwuemeka Egwuonwu, said the orderly conduct of the exercise reflected the unity of the Igbo community and urged the new president to regard leadership as a call to selfless service.

Egwuonwu reaffirmed Ohanaeze’s commitment to cordial relations with the Cross River State Government, stressing that although the organisation is non-political, it would continue to support initiatives that promote the welfare of Igbos residing in the state.

Also speaking, a member of the Igbo Council of Chiefs, Chief Sir Livinus Ihezie, described the poll as the most peaceful in the community’s history and commended the electoral committee for conducting a transparent exercise.

 He urged the new executive to preserve the existing unity and prioritise the construction of a permanent Igbo Community Hall in Calabar.

Ihezie appealed to Governor Bassey Otu to facilitate the restoration of land previously allocated to the Igbo community, saying the proposed community hall would provide a permanent home and strengthen the identity of Igbos living in Cross River State.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Non-Indigenous Affairs, Mazi Okey Maduekwe, attributed the peaceful election to the prevailing atmosphere of peace in the state.

He said the emergence of a new generation of leaders would further deepen the relationship between the Igbo community and the Cross River State Government while supporting the administration’s development agenda.

In his acceptance speech, Okpalaeke pledged to promote unity, self-reliance and sustainable community development.

He said members would be encouraged to finance projects through voluntary contributions, with the construction of a permanent Igbo Community Hall as a key priority.

He also promised to introduce welfare programmes for elderly and vulnerable members, while urging Igbos in the state to remain law-abiding and continue contributing to the economic and social development of Cross River.

He pledged to build on the peace restored by the outgoing administration and strengthen the bonds of unity within the community.