Ogona Anita
Rivers State chapter of OHANAEZE NDIGBO has endorsed former Inspector General of Police, Mike Mbama Okiro, for the position of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. The group made the call on the 2nd, January, 2025 ahead of the organization’s upcoming election slated for January 10-11, 2025. The endorsement follows the zoning of the leadership position to Rivers State after the tenure of Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, who was appointed to complete the term of late businessman and politician, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, from Imo State.
Speaking at the event held in Port Harcourt, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Rivers State, Chief Dr Lucky Ekeji, declared Okiro’s eligibility, describing him as a true son of Rivers State and a proud indigen of the Egbema community.
Okiro’s ethnic identity defended addressing questions about Okiro’s ethnic qualifications, Lucky firmly stated, “Let’s set the record straight: Dr Mike Mbama Okiro is, in fact, a true son of Rivers State, hailing from Mgbede in Ogba/Egbema Local Government Area.
The notion that he’s not from Rivers State is completely baseless. As a group, he has the full support and backing of his people to run for the position, and his qualifications speak for themselves.”
In a separate remark, women leader Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mrs. Love Chimezie Meregini said, the women’s have unanimously agreed to support Sir Okiro and prayed for wisdom upon the incoming president to know exactly the pains, challenges facing the Igbos in the country as they are marginalizes in the scheme of things and in governance but said they are not worries as she applauded the Igbos for their ability to see opportunity in small and medium scale business and turn them into industrial hub.
On his part, Dr Mike Mbama Okiro, states that, his vision is to mobilizes Ohanaeze Ndigbo world wide for greater future, ensures members of the ethnic nationality are saved globally including their investment, among others. He thanked the Rivers State chapter of OHANAEZE NDIGBO for endorsing him.
Sir Mike also gives clarity on his identity and knowledge that he is a proud Igbo man from Mgbede in Ogba/Egbema LGA which is an Igbo community in Rivers State and urges supporters to discard rumours surrounding his origin.
He further said “My vision is to mobilize Ndi-Igbo Worldwide for a greater future. I believe the potentials of Ndi-Igbo as a people is under-harnessed. I seek to drive a project to Mobilize Ndi-Igbo around the world to extend their investment into Ala-Igbo so that our people back home can benefit from our global wealth. I know that one of the greatest challenges of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide is finance. It is my plan to establish a self sustaining Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide so that this organisation will not be at the mercy of any individual pocket.
I want to purse a unification project for Ndi-Igbo wherever they are in the world to give them a sense of belonging devoid of any discrimination. I want to run a more transparent Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo driven by creative and excellent leadership that priorities to Security and welfare of Ndi-Igbo. As Ndi-Igbo, we are qualified to aim any height in life.
We will lunch a project that will relaunch Ala-Igbo in the global map. I believe Nigeria must acknowledge the contribution and importance of the Igbos in our national development because we are the most patriotic in this Country.
We are all aware of the security challenges plaguing parts of Igbo land. You all know my background and I pledge to work with the relevant authorities and Stakeholders to arrest the insecurity that has almost crippled business life and other concerns in most parts of Igbo land.
This journey will begin immediately I take the Oath of office as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide come January 10, 2025 God keeping us alive.
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