By ALEX ENEBELI

The South-East Governors have pledged to support and strengthen the Igbo apex soci-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the development and growth of the region.

The Chairman South-East Governors? Forum, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo State made the pledge during Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly meeting held at the old government lodge Enugu on Friday to elect Ohanaeze new executives.

Uzodimma said, ?I speak for myself and on behalf of other Governors in Ohanaeze States.

?We congratulate Ndi Igbo for the new dawn, the harmonious manner, quality of organisation and the conduct we witnessed in this convention since we arrived Enugu?.

While lauding the Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State for hosting the convention on behalf of Ndigbo, Uzodimma said, ?The governors of southeast states came together and resolved to strengthen Ohanaeze Ndigbo and to give strong support to it.

?We also agreed to make it worthy of the dreams of the original founders and to discourage all forms of rascality, bad behaviour and conduct among the elected members and members of Ohanaeze.

?We will encourage those things that bring us together and shun those things they divide us as a people?.

According to him, the governors of the Ohanaeze States have agreed to work in unity to move Igboland forward.

This, he said, was because of the past experiences where they had those elected to defend and represent them but ended up creating confusions, bringing litigation upon litigation and cause disunity among brothers and sisters.

?We have also decided that those to be elected into the new executives of Ohanaeze must have a second address and supported by their home state so that we have somebody to hold responsible in case of bad behaviour.

?The governors want Ohanaeze to unite as a family to look for homegrown solution to our problems,? the governor added.

Gov. Mbah who hosted the meeting also stressed the need for a strong and united front by Ndigbo, urging all to put the Igbo interest above narrow interests and partisan politics.

Mbah noted that the socio-political circumstances that gave birth to the pan-Igbo body remained relevant in present-day Nigeria as they were in the 1970s.

He extolled the leadership pedigrees of Igbo leaders such as Dr Michael Okpara, whom he said demonstrated so much, could be achieved when patriotism, altruism, and sense of brotherhood were at the core of leadership.

?We may be gathered here for the crucial task of electing members into the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, but this epic event yet offers a room for introspection, regarding the noble vision that inspired our forebears towards its founding.

?The ties that bind us run deep and transcend geographical boundaries, for we are bound by a common history and cultural heritage.

?Our forebears clearly understood this. They understood, as well, that unity is a formidable force.

?From the Igbo Federal Union to the Igbo State Union and the Igbo Forum that later became Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1979; the motivation had always been the desire to forge unity and deep brotherhood amongst the Igbo,? Mbah said

Also speaking, the outgoing Ohanaeze President-General, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, explained that the Imo four years tenure had come to an end, stressing that the memories, lessons, and experiences would stay with them forever.

He said that a better, unified, vibrant, proactive, and resilient Ohanaeze would commence with a credible leadership recruitment process.

?Based on this, I join in the clarion call to the Igbo extraction of the Rivers State in particular and other Igbo states in general to ensure that only men and women of integrity and proven records of accomplishments are put forward to fill the offices zoned to the states in accordance with the rotation principles of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

?We also ensured that the Screening, Appeal and Electoral Committees for the purpose of today?s Ohanaeze election comprise men and women whose public records and private lives are beyond reproach,? he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sen Azuta Mbata from Ikwere, Rivers State, emerged as the new President General of the apex Igbo group in an election held in Enugu on Friday. (NAN)

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