By Bon Peters
The Igbo World Assembly, IWA, has extended congratulations to the newly elected President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Chief Senator John Azuta Mbata as well as the newly elected Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo National Executive Committee, NEC, Officials.
In a press release jointly signed by the IWA Chairman, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, General Secretary, Chief Oliver Nwankwor and the Vice Chairman, Chief Christian Onuorah and made available to journalists on Monday, IWA commended the outgoing Ohanaeze Leadership of Chief Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu and his NEC, for weathering the storm within the twenty-seven days to ensure a smooth democratic transition.
The congratulatory message came a few days after the Ohanaeze election allegedly produced three presidents, and most people viewed it as factionalized. Other contestants like Dim Uchechukwu Nnam Okwukwu and chief Jackson Omenazu had last week been declared Presidents General by other Ohanaeze factions.
But IWA statement stated, “the election offers a renewed opportunity to address key challenges, and IWA is optimistic that this new leadership will apply statesmanship and diplomacy to achieve unity, peace, greater collaboration, due process, development and progress.
“Igbo World Assembly (IWA) has always been and will remain a core backbone of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and will support in Actualization of Igbo Agenda,” adding that “IWA is committed in contributing and supporting the leadership of Sen John Azuta Mbata.”
IWA went further to reiterate that, “Above all, your distinct desire to unify and restore Ndi Igbo towards the part of peace, progress and growth shall be the guide to our actions as Igbo Diasporas worldwide.”
On the goals of the organization, the statement emphasized that IWA’s goal was clear: ” Ndi-Igbo must speak with one voice and one accord; we must seek to do and be done equitably, by all means expedient or warranted; we must wage struggles as necessary; we must conclude peace as always necessary; we must establish and prosper our economies; we must promote our welfare; we must tell our stories; and we must celebrate our culture and history.”
The group wished the newly elected President-General and other National Executive officials good health and God’s wisdom through the tenure of their service to Ndigbo.
On finding a lasting peace for the socio-cultural organization, the Igbo World Assembly strongly pleaded with other notable persons in Rivers State to sheathe their swords and bury their differences and stand behind Senator John Azuta Mbata for Igbo unity, noting that, Igbo World Assembly remains committed to Igbo peace, security and progress.
The organization said that as a group, it is the umbrella body of Ndigbo in the Diaspora and worldwide, which is committed to the protection and promotion of Ndigbo interests in economic, political, socio-cultural and educational affairs with members drawn from all of the continents of the world.
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