Ohanaeze Ndigbo

Ohanaeze Ndigbo is an Igbo socio-cultural organization in Nigeria. The group aims to represent the interests of all Igbo communities within and outside Nigeria.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo
Formation1976
HeadquartersPark Avenue, Enugu
Membership
5 states (+ Igbo indigenous communities in Rivers, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Kogi and Benue states)
Official language
Igbo, English
Budget
Primary Contributors - Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.
WebsiteOfficial website

Although the group is not a political party, one of its main objectives is to foster unity among its members in order to more effectively represent the political interests of Igbos in Nigeria.[1]

History

The Igbo State Union, the precursor to the Ohanaeze Igbo, was founded in 1934 by Igbo elites and intellectuals to advance the interests of Igbos in what was then the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria ruled by the British Empire. After the 1966 anti-Igbo pogrom and the Nigerian Civil War, hundreds of prominent Igbos convened to unify Igbos under a new umbrella organization, the Igbo National Assembly (INA).

This organization was later banned by the Nigerian military dictatorship, from fears that the existence of the organization would promote Igbo separatism. Thus, a successor pan-Igbo organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, was formed in 1976 by Professor Ben Nwabueze, a constitutional lawyer.

The organization was supported by Kingsley Mbadiwe, Dr. Francis Akanu Ibiam, Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, Dr. Pius Okigbo, and Chief Jerome Udorji (who served as the first Secretary General), among other notable Igbos.

Current National Executive Committee
  • CHIEF Barr. John Nnia Nwodo — President General
  • DIG Hillary Opara mni (rtd) — Deputy President General
  • Elder Barr. Onuoha Udeka (rtd)2 — Vice President General (Abia)
  • Chief Damian Okeke Ogene — Vice President General (Anambra)
  • DR. Sylvanus O. Ebigwei, MON. — Vice President General (Delta)
  • Prof. Chigozie N. Ogbu, OFR — Vice president-General (Ebonyi)
  • Hon. Igochukwu Okparanma — Vice President—General (Rivers)
  • Barr. Uche I. Okwukwu — Secretary-General
  • Dr. Solomon N. Ogunji — Deputy Secretary-General
  • Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN — National Legal Adviser
  • Emeka Festus Ogwu — National Treasurer
  • Chief Chief Alphonsus Duru — National Financial Secretary
  • Barrister Uche Achi-Okpaga — National. Publicity Secretary
  • Chief Eric Ebeh — Asst. Nat. Treasurer
  • Chief Barr. Okeagu Ogadah — Assistant National Legal Adviser
  • Elder Chris Eluemunoh — Asst. Nat. Fin. Secretary
  • Comrade Chuks Ibegbu — Asst. National Pub. Secretary
  • Elder Justice R.C. Ajuzieogu — State President (Abia)
  • Chief Damian Okeke (Ogene) — State President (Anambra)
  • Hon. Henry Uche Nwaokobia — State President (Delta)
  • Comrade Boniface Offor — State President (Ebonyi)
  • Chief Alex Chiedozie Ogbonnia — State President (Enugu)
  • Dr. Ezechi Chukwu — State President (Imo)
  • Igo Okparanma (VPG Rivers) — Ag. State President
  • Eugene Ibeabuchi — Admin. Secretary

See also

References
  1. C. Nsofor, Humphrey (21 May 2018). "The Igbo are speaking" (Opinion). Retrieved 22 February 2022.
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