Igbos begin to restrategise as delegation of ADF meets with the President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo

Igbos begin to restrategise as delegation of ADF meets with the President General of Ohanaeze,  Chief Nnia Nwodo: L-R Dcn Okechukwu Chukwuemeka, Prof Uzodinma Nwala, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Dr Jerry Chukwuokolo

A delegation of Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, led by its President, Prof Uzodinma Nwala, met with the President General of Ohanaeze Ndiigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo at his Enugu residence in the morning of Monday March 20, 2017. Others in the delegation include the Financial Secretary, Dr. Jerry Chukwuokolo and the Membership Secretary, Dcn Okechukwu Chukwuemeka.

The meeting, held in a very convivial atmosphere, rose, after about two hours of intense discussions with everyone believing that things are gradually falling in place in Ohanaeze Ndigbo. This development augurs well for both Ohanaeze and Ndigbo as it makes it easy for Ohanaeze to reap the benefit of the enormous good will and initiatives from patriotic Igbo organization such as ADF and others.

After the usual welcome pleasantries, the ADF President presented Chief Nwodo with seven kolanuts which he said represented the seven states of Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers where Ndiigbo have their ancestral homes. Chief Nwodo in turn presented his guests with a bottle of brandy and other drinks and prayers were said, re-enacting that delicate observance with which Ndiigbo are globally known.

Discussions centered on how to move Ndiigbo forward in Alaigbo, nationally and internationally. Chief Nwodo said that the situation they met in Ohanaeze was not exactly enviable but that he is blessed with knowledgeable and experienced executive members who are gradually analyzing every situation and taking appropriate decisions and steps to put things right. With the enormous potential goodwill from various Igbo platforms and the governments, he believes a lot of progress shall be made in due course.

L-R: President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo
and President of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF)
Prof Uzodinma Nwala

He talked about his visits to Ndiigbo in several parts of the country and the kind of tumultuous reception he has enjoyed at every station. He still has plans to visit other places and take the opportunity to meet with the leadership of other ethnic groups to begin to rebuild broken bridges and build new ones. He is convinced that Ndiigbo is not an island so it is important to open up themselves to discussions and interact with other nationalities within and outside Nigeria.

Chief Nwodo was briefed the ADF delegation on several issues for which he would expect the cooperation of ADF and other organizations to support Ohanaeze in charting a new course so that Ohanaeze can discharge her responsibilities effectively. He is certain that each Igbo organization will be required to properly affiliate with Ohanaeze so that symbiotic relationships will be created where each knows their rights and obligations to each other. Moreover he hopes to invite experienced and dedicated Igbo leaders, among whom the President of ADF is an outstanding member to assist Ohanaeze in moving Alaigbo forward on the platform of Ohanaeze. 

He then invited the ADF President, whom he said he has high regards for, to speak.

Prof Nwala said the ADF delegation was there to congratulate him on his successful election as the President General of Ohanaeze, informing him that ADF had earlier sent him a letter of congratulations immediately on learning of his election. He said ADF had also sought a meeting with him soon after and presented him copies of those mails. He also presented him with some ADF publications which clearly show what ADF had been doing. He recalled how the organizers of the 2014 Colloquium had approached Ohanaeze and the Imeobi endorsed it, gave its blessings and went ahead to cause the event to be publicized worldwide, an act that ensured more than 2,500 people to attend the epoch event. The ADF President recalled several moments in the past he and the Ohanaeze President, Chief Nwodo, had worked together to defend the integrity and place of Ohanaeze in Igbo affairs.

Chief Nwodo said that he had personally followed the progress of ADF and was pleased with the organization. In his words “ADF has been more tenacious, more detailed in what it is doing” and that has helped to rally and focus Ndiigbo on the real issues of the now.

The ADF President requested a meeting between Ohanaeze and a larger ADF delegation as soon as practicable to which Chief Nwodo said he was eagerly awaiting such a parley. Meanwhile, he said Ohanaeze was forming crucial standing committees and invited ADF’s strategic inputs to its membership and focus. ADF President said ADF was there for Ohanaeze and would carry out any tasks Ohanaeze deems fit for the general good of Ndiigbo. He said ADF will quickly work and submit to Ohanaeze a position paper on issues it considers germane to Igbo survival and progress like the national census and restructuring/renegotiating the future of the Federation.

The ADF delegation commended the Ohanaeze President General on the tone of his public statements so far. They advised that he remains steadfast and focused, that way Ndiigbo will stand by him through thick and thin. Chief Nwodo thanked the delegation and said he was awaiting ADF input as discussed. The meeting rose on a very, very high note. 

Dcn Okechukwu Chukwuemeka Uzodinma Nwala

ADF membership Secretary ADF President

March 20, 2017.