The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his well-deserved election as the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Senator Azuta-Mbata, a former senator who diligently represented Rivers East in the Senate from 1999 to 2007, is well-positioned to lead this esteemed socio-cultural group.
His recent election as the president of the Pan-Igbo socio-cultural group during a significant meeting in Enugu is a testament to his leadership qualities and the trust placed in him by the group. Senator Azuta-Mbata’s election signifies a new chapter for Ohanaeze Ndigbo, where his wealth of experience and unwavering commitment will play a crucial role in uniting and advancing the interests of his people.
Socio-cultural groups like Ohanaeze Ndigbo play a pivotal role in the social, economic, and political development of their people. Senator Azuta-Mbata’s leadership will steer Ohanaeze Ndigbo towards greater unity, progress, and empowerment for the Igbo people. His expertise and dedication will be instrumental in fulfilling this significant responsibility for the betterment of his people.
Ihunwo expressed confidence in Senator Azuta-Mbata’s ability to lead Ohanaeze Ndigbo to greater heights and foster a stronger sense of unity and purpose among the Igbo people.
In a related statement, the Convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, congratulated Azuta-Mbata and pledged to support and partner with Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the development and growth of all regions in the country.
Yakubu’s statement read in part: “We at Arewa Think congratulate the entire Igbo people on the successful leadership transition and enjoin the new leaders to uphold the principles of their predecessors for peaceful coexistence across the country.
“This is a new dawn for Ndi Igbo, and it gladdens our hearts to see the harmonious manner, quality of organization, and conduct of the election without any form of rancor.
“We recognize the critical role of socio-cultural organizations in nation-building; hence, our commitment to promoting dialogue among our ethnic nationalities to make Nigeria a peaceful nation.
“We wish the newly elected Ohanaeze Ndigbo President success as he takes on this onerous yet noble and lofty task in piloting the affairs of Ndigbo worldwide.
“We also wish to praise the governors of South-east states who came together and resolved to strengthen Ohanaeze Ndigbo and to give strong support to it to make it worthy of the dreams of the original founders and to discourage all forms of rascality, bad behavior, and conduct among the elected members of Ohanaeze.
“As a group from Northern Nigeria, we will continue to encourage those things that bring us together and shun those things that divide us as a people of one united country under President Bola Tinubu.
“As one united country, the people must work in unity and love to move all parts of the country forward irrespective of ethno-religious differences because we have no other country to call our own other than Nigeria.”
