Ohanaeze to honour Zik, Ojukwu, Ironsi on Igbo Day

The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, has revealed that the apex Igbo group would celebrate several renowned Igbo sons as well as Igbo friends during this year’s Igbo Day celebration in Enugu.

The event, which will take place on September 29, 2023, will also include cultural events.

On Thursday, September 29, 2023, the 2023 Igbo Day Celebration will honor some Igbo Heroes and Special Igbo Allies in Michael Okpara Square, Independence Layout, Enugu.

Professor Fred O. Eze, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the 2023 edition of Igbo Day, said that the event will be hosted by Prince Engr. Arthur Eze (Ozoigbondu), one of the most consistent detribalized Igbo benefactors.

Those receiving posthumous awards include The Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, GCON, the father of Nigerian nationalism and the First President of Nigeria; Maj. Gen. Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi, GCFR, the First Nigerian Military General and the first Nigerian Military Head of State; Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Head of State of Biafra; Dr.

Others include Gen. Phillip Effiong, former Second in Command to Biafran Head of State; Chief N.U. Akpan, former Secretary of the Eastern Region; Chief Dennis Osadebay, former Premier of the Mid West of Nigeria; and Chief Sam Mbakwe, former Governor of the Old Imo State; Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe; Professor Chinua Achebe; His Eminence, Alhaji Ado Bayero, former Emir of Kano; Chief A The aforementioned resolution was obtained during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at the Oriental Plaza, Orji, Owerri, Imo State.

His Excellency, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo), President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, explained that the posthumous awards to Igbo Icons and Igbo Special allies are an expression of the Igbo attachment to excellence, steadfastness, gratitude, and a deep sense of history. At the same time, it acts as an encouragement, motivation, and inspiration to all younger generations, not only the families of the departed legends.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo

As a result of the foregoing, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has formed a Committee on Honours, Awards, and Special Duties, comprised of distinguished Igbo sons and daughters. Chief Okey Nwadinobi will serve as Secretary to the committee, which will be led by Chief Dr. E. C. Iwuanyanwu. Senators Adolphus Nwagbara, Anyim Pius Anyim, Ken Nnamani, Ben Obi, Prof. Mrs. Joy Ezeilo, Chief Simon Okeke, Dr. Mrs. Kema Chikwe, Professor Maurice Iwu, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Professor Nnenna Otti, and Professor Epiphany Azinge are also members of the Committee.

The Igbo Leader took advantage of the occasion to update the NEC on Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s successes in the United States, where distinguished Americans with established Igbo lineage were welcomed into the coveted Igbo cosmology. Among these individuals are Dr. Emmitt McHenry, the renowned African American computer wizard who created the.com code for Internet E-Mails, and Gen. William Ward, (Rtd), an accomplished American soldier who was the first commander of the United States Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany in 2007.

Ohaejiagamba stated that due to the incredible rate at which the Igbo both at home and in the Diaspora clamour for relationship with Ohanaeze Ndigbo, it has become extremely necessary to restructure Ohanaeze Ndigbo into zones: Europe with headquarters in London; the United States and Canada with headquarters in Washington DC; South America and the Caribbean with headquarters in Brazil; Asia with headquarters in China; and Oceania and Africa with headquarters in Lagos.

The Igbo Leader praised the South East Governors, led by His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, for their efforts to restore peace and tranquillity in Igbo nation. He reaffirmed his commitment to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, claiming that a court of competent jurisdiction had previously released Kanu and questioning why he was still imprisoned. Ahaejiagamba took advantage of the occasion to enlighten them about a new method he has created for the restoration of peace in Nigeria’s South East.

The members of the NEC expressed great joy that, with the appointment of Chief Iwuanyanwu as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the organization had taken a quantum leap from its previous home to a whole new pedestal. Most members were captivated by Ohaneze’s extraordinary splendour in such a short period of time and expressed gratitude to Ahaejiagamba for employing his diversified worldwide relationships, resourcefulness, enthusiasm, knowledge, and huge economic acumen in the service of the Igbo. Others praised Iwuanyanwu for his exceptional visionary revolutionary leadership abilities.

The Igbo Leader, His Excellency, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo), received a vote of confidence, with prayers to God to keep the favor on his life.

Source: Championsnews.com.ng