Obiozor vows to end Igbo marginalisation

PFrom Lawrence Njoku, Enugu RESIDENT- GENERAL of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, has vowed to end the marginalisation against Ndigbo, who, according to him, have been neglected for a long time in the scheme of things in the country.

Speaking at Ukpo, Nnewi South Council of Anambra State when he led a delegation of Igbo leaders to pay homage to the First Republic Minister of Transportation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, the PG said his administration would serve the overall interest of Ndigbo, using his position to negotiate the inclusion of the Igbo in the scheme of things.

He said: “Igbo are not evil. We are not destroyers; we are builders in this country. Therefore, any form of evil and marginalisation against the Igbo must stop.”

In trying to achieve this, according to him, the Igbo will not separate from the rest of Nigeria in form of secession.

“We are not going to instigate another civil war or crisis. We are going to use diplomacy to ensure that the Igbo take their pride of place in our collective patrimony called Nigeria,” he added.

Obiozor told Amaechi that he led his team to meet him to seek his blessings and wise counsel, to enable the socio- cultural organisation face the tasks ahead with courage, determination and wisdom.

“You ( Amaechi) are the only surviving link to the old bloc. Among your peers, there is nobody that has made genuine commitment to the course of Ohanaeze Ndigbo more than you. You made genuine sacrifices from the onset of the apex Igbo union. We are thankful and grateful to still tap from your fatherly counsel,” he added.

Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, had told Amaechi that they came to meet him as the only survivor among those that witnessed the formation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Stressing that Amaechi remained a rallying point of whatever would happen in Ohanaeze, Iwuanyanwu affirmed that the visit was to seek his prayers and fatherly advice.

“The new Ohanaeze leadership has not visited any other person, be it governor or businessman. This is our starting point, because Mbazulike Amaechi is our rallying point,” he said.

Former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, appealed to Ndigbo to support the new Ohanaeze leadership to enable it succeed, stressing that unity of purpose was key to overcoming challenges faced by Ndigbo in Nigeria.

While commending his visitors, Amaechi expressed confidence that the new Ohanaeze would deliver on its mandate and pledged his total support for the Obiozor- led administration.