New Ohanaeze leader in Oyo harps on unity

Newly elected Ohaneze Ndigbo, Oyo State, Okechukwu Umeh has solicited the support of members and other relevant stakeholders in repositioning the apex Igbo socio-cultural group.

He made the plea in his acceptance speech shortly after his emergence as the leader of the group.

Umeh said his victory is a victory for every Igbo man in Oyo State, describing his emergence as a call to service.

“It is not a victory for me; it is a victory for all, especially for the Igbos in Oyo State. I don’t see it as a victory; I see it as a calling, as an assignment to go and serve my people because today is not a contest; it is an arrangement for us to align together and choose someone to send forth and protect our common interest.

“To serve is not an easy thing but I’m here to serve the people.”

Umeh, while extending hands of fellowship to his opponent, further said his emergence was a new dawn, calling for all hands to be on deck for the new administration to achieve great milestones.

In separate remarks, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and the Senior Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor on Community Relations (Igbo Community), Hon. Tallest Innocent, urged the newly elected leadership to extend hands of fellowship to their opponents in service to the Igbo community in Oyo State.

He described the election as a historic event, marking a positive turn in the fortunes of the Igbo community in Oyo State.

“This is a watershed moment for the Igbo community in Oyo State. For the past three decades, the Igbo community in Oyo State has been split into different factions. Upon my recent appointment and even before then, I spearheaded the reconciliation process to bring together all the various factions into one fold, and today, those efforts have birthed a new Ohaneze Ndigbo in Oyo State.

This task was a daunting one, but to the glory of God, it has come to a positive end. This election is very unique in the sense that such an event is unprecedented. We have never had any election of this kind with this kind of turnout in the history of the Igbo Community in Oyo State, and it has been conducted seamlessly without rancour.”

The newly elected leadership are Mr Okechukwu Umeh, President, Evangelist Ijeoma Uchendu women leader and Loolo Ezinne Mary-John

Others are Barr. Chima Ona, Mr Utobo Chinedu, Mr Peter Orji, and Mr Charles Obasi.

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