On one Nigeria we stand! Ohanaeze Ndigbo declares, rallies governors, others as it charts new course for Igbo race

*Lists impacts of Buhari’s govt in South East

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

“Henceforth, any publication or gathering in the name of OHANAEZE NDIGBO anywhere in Nigeria or abroad without the due approval or recognition by the current National Executive of OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORLDWIDE, amounts to impersonation and such conveners will face the full force of the law. All Security Agencies are hereby informed to please take note.”

The apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, has declared that its stand as nationality group is for the unity of Nigeria.

It made this declaration during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, where it formally informed the Ndigbo and all Igbo organisations United under it that the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) had restored Ohanaeze Ndigbo registration certificate it earlier withdrew in line with Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 as amended.

Noting that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is now a body with corporate status, legally recognised by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Charter of the United Nations and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the body, in a press conference address signed by its President General, Barrister Basil Onyeachonam Onuorah, urged all Ndigbo to see this as a time to work for the much required unity of Nigeria.

He said this need became more imperative by the disposition of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, which, he said, had brought to the South East developmental projects capable of advancing the economy thus improving the living standard of the region.

“On one Nigeria we stand! There is a great future in one Nigeria, this is the time for greater unity in Nigeria, a time to respect our elders and honour those whom honour is due, a time to consolidate on the visions of the founding fathers of OHANAEZE NDIGBO; it is the vision of our founding fathers to unite NDIGBO and speak with one voice.

“This is the time for NDIGBO to align and appreciate the Federal Government for its developmental strides in Igbo land.

“Under the present administration of Federal Government of Nigeria, people oriented projects capable of impacting on the economy of South East region have been prioritized in governance. Recently, reconstruction of Akanu Ibiam airport was completed and commissioned. Enugu-Port Harcourt express road, Enugu-Onitsha express road and other arterial federal roads are at different levels of rehabilitation while construction work on the Second Niger Bridge is progressing at impressive speed.

“It is a thing of joy that Onitsha sea port is now functional, even as Ebonyi International Airport has been approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other gargantuan projects for the South East region.

“Henceforth, any publication or gathering in the name of OHANAEZE NDIGBO anywhere in Nigeria or abroad without the due approval or recognition by the current National Executive of OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORLDWIDE, amounts to impersonation and such conveners will face the full force of the law. All Security Agencies are hereby informed to please take note,” he said.

The address read in parts: “It is with greatest humility that I stand today to address NDIGBO all over the world as the President General of OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORLDWIDE, the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation which unites NDIGBO and all Igbo organisations all over the world.

“We want to use this opportunity to appreciate all our hardworking Governors, our Honourable Ministers of Federal Republic of Nigeria, our Distinguished Senators of Federal Republic of Nigeria, our Honourable Members of Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Members State House of Assembly, all of Igbo extraction.

“Our Captains of Industry, our Traditional Rulers and all our illustrious Igbo sons and daughters who have contributed in different capacities towards human capital development and welfare of NDIGBO at large. This is the time to effectively consult and work together with our Governors and all notable Igbo stakeholders in order to make Ohanaeze NDIGBO great again and for the greater prosperity of Ndigbo all over the world.

“OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORLDWIDE is NOT a factional body but the ONLY OHANAEZE NDIGBO which exists legally as a lawful organization, according to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to represent the interests of Ndigbo and be accountable to Ndjgbo and the laws of our land.

“OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORLDWIDE is pleased to inform NDIGBO all over the world that the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC has restored the organization’s Certificate of
Incorporation earlier withdrawn by the commission in line with Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 as amended.

“It is noted that on the 29th of June 2020, the Corporate Affairs Commission made a publication which was also published in CAC verified Twitter handle notifying the general public that CAC has withdrawn and cancelled the registration certificate of OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY, in line with the extant laws.

“The Corporate Affairs Commission notified our organization of the Certificate restoration through the Commission’s letter titled REINSTATEMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION: INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY – IT: 144918, dated 20th October, 2020.

“We have also discontinued our five hundred billion naira civil suit against the Corporate Affairs Commission with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/790/2020. The general public is hereby notified accordingly.

“It is a thing of joy to announce to Ndigbo all over the world that OHANAEZE NDIGBO for the first time, in the history of its existence, is now registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria with the registration number IT: 144918.

“OHANAEZE NDIGBO is now a body with corporate status, legally recognised by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Charter of the United Nations and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

“The ongoing restructuring and re-composition of OHANAEZE NDIGBO became imperative, because the organisation was reduced to a mere pressure group, an elders forum of certain political persuasions, existing without corporate legal status, driven with egocentrism and lack of accountability.

“We are honoured and humbled by the support of notable Igbo leaders in Nigeria and diaspora who are committed to the unity, security, prosperity of NDIGBO and the ongoing restructuring of our apex sociocultural organisation.

“OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORLDWIDE will work with the youths of Igboland. We will support our youths to take advantage of both federal and state governments empowerment programmes, aimed at poverty alleviation.

“We will begin with the ongoing youth empowerment funds and programs introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Our Elders Council will no longer be business as usual, it is no longer a one man business. This is the time for all our Igbo elders to participate in the affairs of OHANAEZE NDIGBO.

“We commend Nigerian youths for standing up in moment of anger and frustration to speak up, the nationwide protest has yielded the anticipated attention from the Federal Government of Nigeria and concerned stakeholders. The youths must desist from further protest as their voices have been heard loud and clear.

“We sympathize with all those who lost their loved ones in the recent nationwide protest on ENDSARS and other similar demands, and pray for the repose of all the souls departed,” Barrister Onuorah said as he pledged to in the concluding part of the address “to serve OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORLDWIDE at all times in the spirit of fidelity, accountability and commitment to the common good of Ndigbo, always in accord with the purposes and visions of the founding fathers.”