According to Ohanaeze, the Ikwerre people in Rivers are Igbo
Chief Iwuanyanwu: How is it possible for someone with the names Okechukwu, Amaechi Nwankwo, Okpara, Adanma, or Ulunma to claim they are not Igbo?
Chief Engineer Emmanuel Iwuanyanwụ (Ahaejịagamba), the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has counseled the Ikwerre people of Rivers state to stop renouncing their Igbo heritage, stating that their ancestors fought and preserved their Igbo origin.
Chief Iwuanyanwu made the statement while leading the National Executive Committee of the leading Igbo socio-cultural organization to the country home of Late Chief Emmanuel Aguma, one of the founding fathers of Ohanaeze, at Ogbum nu Abali, Ịkwere, Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state. Chief Aguma’s wife, Hannah Aguma, recently celebrated her 85th birthday. The statement was signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Ben Osuagwu.
According to the Ohanaeze president-general, Ikwerre-born Late Emmanuel Aguma was one of the key figures who created and established Ohanaeze Ndị-Ịgbo in order to guarantee that Ndị-Ịgbo, no matter where they are, speak with one voice and are protected.
The speaker expressed his great belief in Ohanaeze Ndị-Ịgbo, citing the late Emmanuel Aguma. He questioned why certain residents of Ikwerre and other Igbo-speaking areas of Rivers State today reject their ancestral descent, which their ancestors, in his opinion, safeguarded, defended, discovered, and treasured.
Chief Iwuanyanwu recalled that Okogbule Wonodi, Chief Ellah, Late Emmanuel Aguma, and Obi Wali were among the leading figures in the founding of Ohanaeze Ndị-Ịgbo Worldwide. As a result, he counseled the current generation of Igbo-speaking areas in Rivers State to go back in time and follow their fathers’ footsteps, who thought they were Ndị-Ịgbo.
He called it ridiculous when someone with the name Okechukwu, Amàechị, Nwankwo, Ọkpara, Adanma, or Ulunma turns around and claims they are not Igbo.
The Ohanaeze chief stated that all Delta State residents who speak Igbo consider themselves to be Ndị-Ịgbo, and those who were relinquished to other states have been pleading with him to make sure they reunite with their family inside the zone.
On her 85th birthday, he praised Hannah Aguma, describing her as a remarkable woman leader who is honest, steadfast, and courageous.
When Chief Iwuanyanwu ran for the presidency of the nation, Hannah Aguma led his presidential campaign team as a woman.
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndị-Ịgbo prayed to God for many fruitful years for her and praised their first son, Hon. Igo Aguma, for taking good care of their mother and other family members.
In response, Hon. Aguma expressed her gratitude to the Ohanaeze President-General for organizing the organization’s NEC to attend their mother’s 85th birthday celebration.
Chief Iwuanyanwu and his entourage were greeted by Hon. Aguma, Rumundaka Wonodi, and a few village elders.
