The Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, CON, has received commendation from Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide over his visionary innovative project for a sea route through the Orashi River/Oguta Lake, Degema, to the Atlantic Ocean.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at its monthly meeting on June 8, 2023, in one of its resolutions, stated that Governor Uzodimma has embarked on one of the most vital projects for the Southeast of Nigeria; and that he has responded to the age-long yearnings and dreams of the entire Igbo. Like Hercules, Gov. Hope Uzodimma is poised to clean the Augean stable by demystifying the much-touted Igbo land-lock phenomenon.
Ohanaeze further notes that this development will enable businessmen from the South East to import and receive their goods in the comfort of their homes, from all over the world.
This gigantic step by Governor Uzodimma has also attracted the interest of the federal government to declare the Oguta Lake-Orashi River as an Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone. One of the awesome benefits of a free trade zone is to attract foreign investments which will in turn help create jobs and economic growth, thereby reducing unemployment and insecurity.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR (Ahaejiagamba) also noted that the dredging and opening up of the two rivers to the Atlantic will benefit not only the Imo State’s economy but that of the South-East, the Nigerian nation and the West African sub-region.
Ohanaeze is excited that the Uzodimma giant and pragmatic stride in expanding the economy and social frontiers of the South East is in consonance with the Iwuanyanwu philosophy for Ndigbo. Chief Iwuanyanwu is committed to an entirely new paradigm for Ohanaeze Ndigbo; an Ohanaeze that will create and drive a vision for Igboland for socio-economic transformation; and an Ohanaeze that will be concerned with a governance template for the Igbo States.
There is no doubt that the Uzodimma foresight, innovativeness, audacity, exemplariness and transformational leadership are the necessary governance parameters for the contemporary Igbo entrepreneurship.
Other resolutions reached by the NEC include the need for the reactivation of the Cement Industry at Nkalagu, Ebonyi State. To this end, an Ohanaeze NEC committee was constituted to meet with the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru on the need to throw his weight behind the reactivation of the Cement Industry, Nkalagu.
Members of the NEC committee include Chief Barr. Okeagu Ogada (Chairman), Dr. Mrs. Selina Adibua, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, Hon. Mrs. Beatrice Eze, Dr. Barr. Peter Aneke, Prof. Fred Eze and Dr. Peter Mbam.
It was also resolved that the 2023 edition of Igbo Day will hold on September, 29, 2023. A steering committee led by Dr. Ezechi Chukwu is expected to articulate the programmes for the Igbo Day. Also included in the steering committee are all the State Presidents, namely; Comrade Okey Nwankwo (Abia), Chief Emeka Udodeme (Anambra), Prince Frank Nwandu (Delta), Dr. Peter Mbam (Ebonyi), Prof. Fred Eze (Enugu), Barr. C J Ihemedu (Imo), Chief Lucky Ekeji (Rivers) and Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia.
It was reiterated that Enugu remains the Headquarters of Igboland and will always be offered the Right of First Refusal for every Ohanaeze activities. However, any other Ohanaeze State that wishes to host any of its activities is welcome.
The President General, Chief Iwuanyanwu used the opportunity to announce 68 Members of Presidential Advisory Council (PAC). The members of the PAC are distinctive sons and daughters of Igbo land with diverse experience in various fields whose advice will be highly invaluable in implementing the various programmes enunciated in the current Ohanaeze philosophical framework.
In addition, the Ohanaeze statutory standing committees will be rolled out in the near future.
*Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, PhD;* National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide
