By BON PETERS, Port Harcourt

The Igbo World Assembly (IWA) has congratulated the newly elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Chief Senator John Azuta Mbata and the newly elected Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo National Executive Committee (NEC) Officials.

In a press release jointly signed by the IWA Chairman, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, General Secretary, Chief Oliver Nwankwor and the Vice Chairman, Chief Christian Onuorah and made available to journalists and online news platforms on Monday, IWA commended the outgoing Ohanaeze Leadership of Chief Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu and his NEC, for weathering the storm within the twenty-seven days to ensure the smooth democratic transition to the new executives.

The congratulatory message came a few days after the Ohanaeze election allegedly produced three presidents, and most people viewed it as factionalized. Hence the likes of Dim Uchechukwu Nnam Okwukwu and chief Jackson Omenazu have last week been declared Presidents General by other Ohanaeze factions.

But according to IWA, ?the election offers a renewed opportunity to address key challenges, and IWA is optimistic that this new leadership will apply statesmanship and diplomacy to achieve unity, peace, greater collaboration, due process, development and progress.?

The statement added: ?Igbo World Assembly (IWA) has always been and will remain a core backbone of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and will support in Actualization of Igbo Agenda? Insisting that ?IWA is committed in contributing and supporting the leadership of Sen John Azuta Mbata.?

IWA reiterated that, ?Above all, your distinct desire to unify and restore Ndi Igbo towards the part of peace, progress and growth shall be the guide to our actions as Igbo Diasporas worldwide.?

On the goals of the organization, the statement emphases that IWA?s goal was clear, ? Ndi-Igbo must speak with one voice and one accord; we must seek to do and be done equitably, by all means expedient or warranted; we must wage struggles as necessary; we must conclude peace as always necessary; we must establish and prosper our economies; we must promote our welfare; we must tell our stories; and we must celebrate our culture and history.?

Speaking further, IWA wished the President General, and other National Executive officials good health and God?s wisdom through the tenure of their service to Ndigbo.

On finding a lasting peace, for the socio-cultural organization, Igbo World Assembly said they strongly pleaded with other notable persons in Rivers State to sheath their swords and bury their differences and stand behind Senator John Azuta Mbata for Igbo unity, noting that, Igbo World Assembly is committed to Igbo peace, security and progress.

The organization said It is the umbrella body of Ndigbo in the Diaspora and worldwide and committed to the protection and promotion of Ndigbo interests in economic, political, socio-cultural and educational affairs with members from all of the continents of the world.

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