The recent news of ascension of Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has gladdened the hearts of Ndigbo home and abroad including myriads of lovers of Ndigbo across the many countries of the globe. Congratutory messages have been pouring in droves because life and meaning has been injected into the upper echelon leadership of the Igbo nation.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is the umbrella body of Ndigbo nation. As the mouthpiece of Ndigbo, sadly, it has had a ruptured or fractured leadership following the death in quick successions of two of her President-Generals Prof Ambassador George Obiozor and his successor Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.
These two titans hailed from Imo State and became President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo because it was the turn of Imo State to provide the President-General. Man proposes but GOD disposes. These great men have since translated to the great beyond
As painful as the losses of these two iconic past leaders were, but nature abhors vacuum. Ndigbo cannot be without leadership. Besides, it will not align with the innermost desires and outward wishes of these deceased compatriots to leave Ndigbo in quandary given the current troubled times and seasons in Nigeria.
Fate and circumstance has therefore entrusted on Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu the burden cum privilege of filling the big shoes of the immediate past Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide President-Generals.
There is no doubt that Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu whom his teeming admirers fondly call “Ntuala Ndigbo” will not disappoint. His disarming simplicity, mercurial panache, verifiable local, state, national and international attainments bear eloquent testimony to that.
Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu is not new to providing leadership at a commanding height in Igbo land in particular and Nigeria in general. He is a former this and former that prominent of which includes former South East Zonal Chairman of PDP many years ago.
Nze Ozichukwu understands Igbo land, Igbo people and Igbo challenges as a man from a deep cultural background, dogged grassroots politician and developmental leader.
He is at home with Nigeria’s ethno cultural complexities and intricacies. He has watertight pragmatic solutions to them too.
Nze Ozichukwu has national appeal and presence even as he possesses an admirable and uncommon oratorical brilliance and firepower.
In brevi manu, Nze Ozichukwu is a great mind, tested and trusted veteran. Though his tenure will be very brief, it will midwife transformative transition.
It is gratifying to note that his collegiate selection by Imoeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and adoption as President-General General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide by the General Assembly on Saturday 14 December 2024 was seamless. There was also a seamless transfer of power to him as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
I commend the maturity of Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership for agreeing to allow Imo State complete her tenure on the President-Generalship which is expected to end in January 2025.
Looking inwards, we must thank the sagacity of the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Hope Uzodinma, the Imo Elders Council astutely led by HRH Eze C. I. Ilomuanya and Ohanaeze Imo State Chapter who conceived this great idea and saw it to fruition.
At last, Imo State did not lose out completely notwithstanding that the wicked hands of death nearly ruined Imo State’s turn on the President-Generalship of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Nze Ozichukwu has since assumed duties vowing that the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo shall be followed strictly in the election of the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
In his acceptance speech, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu said among other things “to everyone who sent goodwill messages, I am greatly humbled and deeply grateful for your kind words and support. Your messages have filled me with encouragement and motivation to serve our Igbo nation to the best of my abilities. I am committed to upholding the values and principles of OHANEZE NDIGBO WORLDWIDE and working tirelessly for the betterment of our people. Thank you once again for your overwhelming support and goodwill. May God bless us all”.
The brand new leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has spoken. Igbo nation must trudge on and triumphantly too.
Good luck, Ndigbo… Good luck to Ntuala Ndigbo.
A new normal is possible!
