Governor Rochas Okorocha has called on Ohanaeze Ndigbo to Champion Reconciliation among the Igbos, and also set out a day for atonement for Ndigbo, stating that the Igbos need God more than anything else.
The
governor also advised the body to distance itself from partisan
politics to avoid Ndigbo losing when the Party or Candidate the
organization supports loses, adding that Ohanaeze should be smart
when it comes to the issue of partisan politics so that no matter the
Candidate or the Party that wins, Ohanaeze can move in to do the
needful.
Governor
Okorocha spoke weekend when members of the National Organizing
Committee for the 2018 Igbo Day Celebration being organized by
Ohanaeze slated for December 16 to December 18, 2018 in Owerri,
visited him at the Government House to brief him on the extent of
their preparations, adding that Igbos should dramatize their Unity
since there is no absolute Unity anywhere in the World.
On
the issue of Reconciliation, the governor stated “I have told the
National President of Ohanaeze about the need for Ohanaeze to
Champion Reconciliation among Igbos. I said at Evan Enwerem’s book
launch, Jim Nwobodo and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu were there, that
when I was growing up, all I heard was that Iwuanyanwe never saw eye
to eye with Enwerem. Jim Nwobodo never saw eye to eye with Ekwueme. I
asked Iwuanyanwu, where is Enwerem today to fight and Jim, where is
Ekwueme to fight”?
He
continued “And this ugly development has been transferred from your
generation to my generation. Rochas Okorocha and Ngige. Obi and
Obiano, and so on. So, our generation has also taken that way. And we
are not helping matters. So there should be a very emotional moment
for everyone in form of reconciliation. And Onanaeze should champion
it”.
On
atonement, the governor remarked “There should also be an atonement
for Ndigbo. There could be a prayer programme for atonement for
Ndigbo. Igbos need God and God is closer to them. There is need for
Ndigbo to bow down their heads in adoration to the Most High God and
Ohanaeze can champion that. We must begin to do things a bit
differently. We can do something new. This is where I specially
disagree with the elite of Igboland. Let’s try something new since
there is no harm in failure, but an invitation to start again”.
He
explained “My heart sometimes bleeds for the Igbo nation and when I
see you people, I tell you how I feel. One of our major pivots upon
which the wheels or faith of the Igbo man revolves is the Church and
it has also been tainted. Look at the statement by Mbaka of recent,
it’s the most embarrassing, but nobody will speak out. We must act
quickly now under the present ugly situation before we destroy the
psyche of Ndigbo yet unborn.”
He
continued “I am excited to host Ndigbo and I am prepared to host
them. As you are aware, we have been making every attempt to unite
Ndigbo over the years. And years and years, it has always looked like
there is no light at the dark end of the tunnel. We must keep trying
in pursuit of peace. There’s no end to it”.
Earlier,
Chairman of the National Organising Committee for Igbo Day
Celebration who led the delegation, professor Gregory Ibe said
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the umbrella body of Igbos across the globe,
annually organizes the Igbo Day Celebration as a way of sustaining,
projecting and celebrating the unique Igbo traditional heritage.
Against the backdrop of the current challenges, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has
decided to use the annual Igbo Day Celebration for 2018 to mobilize
Igbos across the globe to once again rediscover the power of unity”.
According
to him “Activities for the 2018 edition of Igbo Day Celebration
have been scheduled to hold from Sunday 16 to Tuesday 18 December,
2018 in Owerri, the Eastern heartland, with the theme “IGWEBUIKE”.
He
said “On behalf of the entire structure of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, under
the leadership of our President General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, the
National Organizing Committee of 2018 Igbo Day Celebration wishes to
express profound appreciation to the government and people of Imo
State, under the helmsmanship of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, for
accepting to host this year’s activities here in the Eastern
heartland. History will surely remember the governor for accepting
the challenge of graciously hosting Ndigbo in Owerri”.
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