25th September, 2023
By Alex Enebeli
The President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has assured that he will lead a process that will lead to the creation of a new Igboland that will be a source of joy to the younger ones.
He said this is possible given the support he has received from five South-East Governors to transform the region since he was elected President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“With the support and cooperation they are giving me since I became Igbo leader, we are going to have a new Igboland that will be a source of joy to the younger ones,” Iwuanyanwu said while speaking during Thanksgiving Service at the Cathedral of Good Shepherd, Anglican Communion, Enugu on Sunday to mark the beginning of 2023 Igbo Day slated for Sept. 28 and 29.
The president general, who lauded the support extended to him by the governors in the zone, said it was difficult to actualize anything without them.
“I did some research and discovered that we have abundant and untapped natural resources that will transform the zone if harnessed,” he said.
According to him, the church service in Enugu was a homecoming for him, saying that the state is a home for all Igbos.
Iwuanyanwu explained that Ohaneze Nidgbo was in the church to give thanks to God, adding that people who put their trust in God never failed.
“Mine is a testimony that if you put your trust in God, He never fails you”.
He explained that his leadership was establishing Ohaneze all over the countries where Igbos resided as a way of making them invest and establish their businesses in the southeast.
The Igbo leader commended Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State for accepting to host the Igbo Day.
Earlier, the Episcopal Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, who officiated the service, commended Iwuanyanwu and members of Ohaneze Ndigbo for selecting the church for their thanksgiving.
The bishop who recalled how he gathered other bishops in the state to pray for Ohaneze during the reign of the former president general, Amb. George Obiozor for unity, said the Igbo leaders passed a vote of confidence on Iwuanyanwu.
He urged the southeast governors to continue to support Iwuanyanwu in all his efforts to unite and transform the region.
The bishop, however, prayed for them for a successful Igbo Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai and members of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, attended the thanksgiving service.
(NAN)