BY: EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU.

The Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has inaugurated a committee on the Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagements for National Development.

According to the organization, this marks a significant step towards articulating a unified and forward-looking framework for the collective aspirations of Ndigbo within the Nigerian context.

This was made known by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, while inaugurating the committee.

He charged the committee to approach the assignment holistically, with courage, creativity, wisdom, and broad-mindedness.

The President General of Ohanaeze emphasized that the proposed Charter must transcend being a mere document and instead serve as a compelling blueprint that clearly defines the political, economic, social, and cultural aspirations of the Igbo people, while promoting equity, justice, fairness, and inclusiveness in national governance.

The committee is chaired by Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, a renowned economist, public policy expert, and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Professor Moghalu is widely respected for his contributions to economic reform, leadership development, and national discourse.

According to the organization, with this background, Prof. Moghalu brings to the assignment a wealth of experience from both public service and academia.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Prof. Moghalu accepted the responsibility and assured the President General that the committee would diligently deliver on its mandate within the stipulated timeline.

The committee, which is made up of s top Igbo leaders, technocrats, clergy, Traditional Rulers, political leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, and opinion moulders, had members in attendance at the inauguration.

The Chairman underscored that his committee would ensure a broad-based commitment to develop a unifying Charter that consolidates the voices of Igbo communities at home and in the diaspora into a single, credible position.

The committee is expected to submit its final report and Charter to the President General within two months.

Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide called on all stakeholders and the wider Igbo public to actively support the process by engaging constructively with committee members, noting that the strength and legitimacy of the Charter will rest on the depth of intellectual collective input and discussion.

Senator Mbata stressed that this initiative reaffirms Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide’s commitment to securing dignity, security, prosperity, and a just future for present and future generations of Ndigbo at home and in diaspora.