Group tasks new Ohaneze President-General on Igbo unity, prosperity

Enugu, Feb. 7, 2025

The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC), has urged the newly elected President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Sen. John Azuta-Mbata, to prioritise reconciliation and promotion of unity in Igboland.

Justice Alpha Ikpeama, Director -General of the group,made the call in a statement signed by him on Friday in Enugu.

Ikpeama said there  was an urgent need for unity among Igbo people, urging the new Ohanaeze President-General to bridge existing gaps across various Igbo communities and leadership structures.

He advised him to strengthen inter-ethnic relations in the South East and South South.

Ikpeama also urged Azuta-Mbata to foster stronger collaboration between South-East and South-South governors for accelerated economic development of  the regions.

According to him,  Igbo leadership must come up with the right policies and take the necessary actions  to promote business growth, technological advancement and infrastructural development in Igboland.

He lauded Azuta-Mbata’s leadership capacity and commitment to the collective interests of Ndigbo.

“UNIEC extends its warm congratulations to Sen. John Azuta-Mbata on his emergence as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people worldwide.

“We express confidence that his tenure would mark a new chapter of unity, progress, and strategic engagement for the Igbo people both at home and in the diaspora,” Ikpeama said.

While wishing Azuta-Mbata a successful tenure, Ikpeama pledged the Council’s support for  his leadership to achieve the  mandate of promoting the Igbo cause.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Azuta-Mbata, a former Senator representing Rivers East at the National Assembly, on January emerged the new leader of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation.

He was elected by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly in Enugu.