Ohanaeze Gets New President General

Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu, a former national vice chairman (South East) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  has emerged  as the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Chukwu replaces Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu who died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness.

He emerged during the Ime-Obi meeting held in Enugu yesterday.

The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Enugu at the weekend.

The statement reads:”Nze Ozichukwu is to exhaust the Imo State balance of 27 days which ends on January 10, 2025. The emergence of Chukwu is as a result of a chain of catastrophe, which has visited Ohanaeze with the demise of Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, CON in 2022.

“In order to complete the tenure of Imo State, the people of Imo State presented Chief Engr. Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu to Imeobi Ohanaeze for the replacement of the Late Obiozor. By the application of a doctrine of necessity, Iwuanyanwu was sworn-in on April 30, 2023. Unfortunately, Chief Iwuanyanwu died on July 25, 2024 and was buried on November 1, 2024.

“It is in line with the doctrine of necessity that the Imo State Chapter of Ohanaeze, led by Barrister C.J Ihemedu presented Nze Ozichukwu to the Imeobi Ohanaeze to exhaust the balance of four year tenure allotted to Imo State. The motion for the adoption of Nze Ozichukwu was moved by Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman Imo Council of Elders and seconded by Chief Simon Okeke (Ochendo).

“In moving the motion, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya stated that Ozichukwu is a cerebral thinker with sterling qualities. He informed the Imeobi that Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, KSM, KSS is a Nigerian management executive and entrepreneurship development consultant.''

Many Imeobi dignitaries welcomed the emergence of Nze Chukwu. Some of them include His Excellency , Barr. Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State ably represented by the Secretary to the Government of Enugu State, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke, GCON, Prince Garry Igariwey, Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe, Prof. ABC Nwosu, Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi, Chief Ejiofor Onyima, Dr. Mrs Kate Ezeofor, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Engr Chike Madueke, Archbishop Prof. E O Chukwuma, Chief Emeka Diwe, Eze Ibe Nwosu, Chief Mike Okiro, Prof Chinedu Nebo, Dr. Uche Uzochukwu, Dr. Pat Onukwuli, Chief Okechukwu Ujah, Ambassador Eddy Onuoha, Dr. Eme Okoro, Dr Ngozi Olejeme, Eze Uche Dimgba, Eze Christopher Offia, Chief Tony Ukasanya etc.

Others include the Presidents of Ohanaeze, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Rivers State.

The President of the Rivers State Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Rivers State, Dr Lucky Ekeji couldn’t withhold his joy that the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo will come from the Rivers State.

Elated by the development, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Okey Emuchay MFR, said  “today is phenomenal in the annals of Igbo history,” and thanked the Igbo nation for an unalloyed support throughout the turbulent times.

Most Imeobi members inferred that Ozichukwu is a man of courage, integrity and principles whose stand on any matter is predictable. That he is a moral edifice who detests the mundane hubris in power. The most cherished of the Ozichukwu pedigree is his unassailable astute organisational ability whose records in public service is beyond tarnish even by the most uncharitable.