Igbo elders tell Iwuanyanwu not to quit leadership role for Ndigbo

Igbo Indigenous Elders and Stakeholders, Anambra State chapter, has pleaded with elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, not to withdraw from leadership roles of the Igbo nation, until he has mentored and brought up credible leaders to take over from him.

The leader of the Anambra group of the organization, Justice Alpha Ikpeama, made the appeal when he led some Igbo Indigenous elders and stakeholders from some Eastern States to pay a courtesy visit to Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in his office in Owerri .

Ikpeama said that the essence of the visit was to brief Chief Iwuanyanwu and Imo Elders on the formation and activities of the organisation, as well as to honour him for his leadership roles in Igboland.

While extolling the sterling leadership qualities of Chief Iwuanyanwu, the leader of the group said that many young leaders in Igboland and across the nation were products of Chief Iwuanyanwu’s mentorship,  adding that he should ensure that they were properly groomed to take over.

He said that Chief Iwuanyanwu leaving his leadership role in Igboland, without raising those to take over would leave a wide leadership gap in Igboland.

On the new organisation, Justice Ikpeama said that it was set up to promote good leadership and mentorship by great leaders like Chief Iwuanyanwu and Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi.

He said that Chief Mbazulike Amaechi is no longer physically agile like Chief Iwuanyanwu,  urging him not to relent in his quest to ensure effective takeover of the leadership of Igbo nation by the younger generation.

Justice Ikpeama maintained that the present day youths needed to be properly guided and their mentality re-oriented in the right direction

He said that if the elders come together  and speak with one voice, the youths would emulate them.

He enjoined Chief Iwuanyanwu, whom he described as a very strong voice in the nation’s polity,to continue with his leadership roles to the youths.

Justice Ikpeama commended Chief Iwuanyanwu on his decision to quit partisan politics, but advised him not to abandon his leadership roles but to continue to guide the younger generation.

He also appealed to him to takeover not only the leadership of Imo chapter, but the entire South-East, bearing in mind that his wealth of experience as the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders Council would be a great asset to the organization.

In his response, Chief Iwuanyanwu thanked the Igbo Indigenous Elders and Stakeholders Leadership Organisation for honouring him with Distinguished Leadership Award in recognition of his sterling quality leadership role in Igbo nation and globally.

The elder statesman applauded the organizers of the forum for setting up the organization, pointing out that it will be a strong body to assist Ohanaeze Ndigbo in its activities.

He said that the leadership gap and non unification of Ndigbo led him and some leaders like Sir Jerome Udoji, Professor Ben Nwabueze, to resuscitate Ohanaeze Ndigbo when he came out to vie for the Presidency of the country.

He described the organization as a credible one that will help in the unity of Ndigbo, pointing out that it should have various organs at all levels.

Chief Iwuanyanwu maintained that Ohanaeze Ndigbo “is like a religion in Igboland”

He said that a meeting would be held to discuss the modus operandi and how to forge ahead as it would help to fish the Elders wherever they are.

Chief Iwuanyanwu said the organisation should have a constitution as a guide, and assured the group of his support at all times.

 

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