By CHARLES IWUOHA

President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator Azuta Mbata, has officially inaugurated a 7-member Board of Trustees to oversee the Professorial Endowment Scheme of the body.

In his address through a statement issued on Tuesday which took place at the Ohanaeze’s National Headquarters in Enugu, Senator Mbata outlined the board’s mandate, charging the newly inaugurated members with the responsibility of steering the endowment scheme towards its full potential in service of the Igbo nation.

“Your primary mandate is to provide a strategic pathway and oversight for the Seven Professorial Endowment Chairs,” Mbata stated. “You are also to ensure the effective management of the Endowment’s resources and promote its aims and objectives.”

He emphasized that each member was meticulously chosen by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for their outstanding record of academic excellence, moral integrity, and dedication to Igbo advancement.

“We are confident in your capabilities,” he said. “Your track record in scholarship and leadership is why you were chosen. We are deeply grateful that you have agreed to serve the Igbo nation in this vital capacity.”

In response, the Chairman of the Board, Prof. Damian Opata, expressed appreciation to the President-General and the NEC for the confidence reposed in them.

“We are honoured by this responsibility,” Opata said. “On behalf of the board, I assure you that we will not take this duty for granted. We understand the importance of this mission and will commit our expertise and time to see it flourish.”

The Board of Trustees for the Ohanaeze Professorial Endowment Scheme, as inaugurated, comprises the following:

Prof. Damian Opata – Chairman

Prince Okey Nwadinobi – Member

Prof. Chris Umezurike – Member

Prof. Godwin Onu – Member

Prof. Ossy Nwebo – Member

Prof. Chidi Osuagwu – Member

Prof. Fred O. Eze – Secretary

The event was attended by key members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s National Executive Committee, reflecting the significance of the Professorial Endowment Initiative as a cultural and academic milestone.

The Endowment Scheme, established under Senator Mbata’s leadership, aims to institutionalize research and scholarship in Igbo history, language, and culture through professorial chairs in selected universities across the seven Ohanaeze states.

The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, highlighted the strategic relevance of the board to the ongoing mission of cultural revival and educational excellence in Alaigbo.

“This Board is a cornerstone of our agenda to promote Igbo heritage through academic scholarship,” Dr. Chukwu said, adding: “Their work will serve as a beacon for generations to come.”