Imo Thomas -Umuahia.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has charged the newly inaugurated executive members of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Abia State chapter on the need to pursue the interest of Ndigbo.
Governor Otti gave the charge at the inauguration of the newly elected executives of the Abia state chapter of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization held on Wednesday at Umuahia.
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu, stressed the need for them to articulate the Igbo interest at all times.
Governor Otti noted that emerging as leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a herculean task and said they are representing the interest of a large number of people and, therefore, should dedicate themselves to the service of Ndigbo.
He discouraged them from pursuing personal interests but focused on speaking for Ndigbo wherever they found themselves.
Governor Otti thanked the committee that came from the national office of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for a job well done and congratulated the new officials on their emergence.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the national committee on the election, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, said that there was a need for a new executive to emerge as the tenure of the outgoing state officials has elapsed.
He stressed the need for a peaceful process of selection and inauguration and said that the new executive would be representing the state at the forthcoming election of the new officials of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.
Also, the outgoing state president of the Abia chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okey Paul, harped on the need for a peaceful process of selecting new leaders and said that the most important thing is that it is a service for Ndigbo. He urged all to put Abia’s interest first.
Responding, the newly inaugurated state president of the Abia state chapter, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, assured that they would protect the slogan of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, “Igwe Bu Ike” (unity is strength).
While assuring that he would represent Abia very well in the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Dr. Okwuonu promised to ensure that Ohanaeze Ndigbo fares better under his watch.
The newly inaugurated state officers included the deputy president – Chika Ibeku; 1st Vice president – Nnenna Orieji; the state secretary – Innocent Adiele; the publicity secretary – Godwin Adindu; assistant publicity secretary – Sam Obinna Ibe, among others, Barr. Amarq Onubogu administered the oath of office to the new officials of the state chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Abia.
