Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar and Oranto Petroleum Chief Executive Prince Arthur Eze have joined other prominent leaders to hail the choice of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The leadership of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) also congratulated the elder statement.
Describing Iwuanyanwu’s emergence as well-deserved in his message, President Obasanjo said the elder statesman’ record of excellent leadership, loyalty and patriotism, will lead Ndigbo to a new horizon.
He urged the Ndigbo leader not to only look inwards, but outwards for the peace and unity of the country, enjoining him to use his position to ensure the unity, progress and development of Igboland and Nigeria.
In his message, the Sultan commended Chief Iwuanyanwu for his great service to the nation.
He expressed joy for Iwuanyanwu’s emergence as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The Sultan observed that Iwuanyanwu has been a bridge-builder and hopes that, with his new position, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader will ensure that the Southwest work relentlessly for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.
He pledged the support of the Sultanate to the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.
The Oranto Petroleum Limited chief executive felicitated Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on his affirmation as the President-General of the Ohanaeze.
Prince Eze, the Ozoigbondu described said the Ndigbo have firm confidence the Iwuanyanwu leadership will be beneficial to Igboland and Nigeria.
He prayed to God to give him the wisdom and grace to succeed in the new assignment.
In their message, members of the NEF described Iwuanyanwu as a distinguished Nigerian, expressing the hope that the new leadership will mark a significant improvement in elite cohesion and national consensus.
NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed urged Iwuanyanwu to improve North-East engagements on issues of national importance.
The Southeast Governors Forum, through their leader the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, congratulated Iwuanyanwu on his ascension into the revered seat.
The governors said that Iwuanyanwu’s pedigree, father-figure and unblemished character, not only portend the best for Ndigbo but a bright future indeed.
Former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said no one else in the Southeast is more deserving of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo today than Iwuanyanwu.
According to him, the chief has the clout, pedigree and voice to douse tensions and rally the Ndigbo for the tasks ahead.
In their message, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the United Kingdom (UK) described Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as “the proper and fit person to wear the symbol of Igbo land now”.
In a message signed by their President, Stanley Okechukwu; Secretary, Uche Osuigwe and the Publicity Secretary, Charles Nwaogwugwu, the UK chapter of the socio-political group described Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as a great son of Igboland of no mean feat.
They described Iwuanyanwu as one of the foremost Igbo icons who had been at the forefront of the struggle for Igbo emancipation and in defending the interest of Ndigbo in the Nigeria geopolitical space.
According to them, as Chairman of the Elders Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, he defended the culture, traditions and heritage of the region.
