Ohanaeze Ndigbo to amend constitution, calls for suggestions

OWERRI—Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has called for submissions for the amendment of its constitution.

A statement from the Secretary-General of the organisation, Emeka Sibeudu, stated that the submissions will help to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of the body.

He said memoranda should be sent to the secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu between March 1 and March 12, 2025.

“The Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is currently undergoing review. As part of this process, we invite all Igbo to submit memoranda proposing amendments, suggestions, and ideas to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of our organization.

“To ensure inclusivity, we encourage submissions from various stakeholders, including state chapters, affiliates, Igbo communities worldwide, individuals with expertise in governance, law, and community development.

“Please submit your memoranda between March 1 and  March 12. A public hearing will be held on March 14 in Imo State, providing an opportunity for further discussion, clarification, and input.

“We value your contributions and look forward to receiving your valuable inputs. Your participation will help shape the future of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide”, the statement read.

UNIEC bars contestants from Rivers

Meantime, the United Igbo Elders Council, UNIEC, Worldwide, has told the people of Rivers State that produced the President General, that it will not accept any former contestant to the seat of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, if nominated.

UNIEC urged them to nominate only candidates that never participated in the last Ohanaeze Ndigbo election, saying that it has no rift with Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and its slot to Rivers State to produce its next President General is not to spite the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.

UNIEC noted that most of its notable members are also notable members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and therefore, are not against any decision of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization.

A statement jointly signed by its Director General, Justice Alpha Ikpeama, and the Director of Media and Publicity, Prof Obasi Igwe, stated that it will never fight against or do anything to spite Ohanaeze Ndigbo, saying that those who are insinuating that it gave Rivers State the slot to produce its next President General, was to cause confusion in the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, are mischief makers.

It said that its choice of Rivers State to produce its next President General is to ensure and foster inclusiveness, balance in leadership and unity among the Igbo people globally.

It will be recalled that UNIEC allocated offices to respective member states and gave Rivers State the slot to produce its next President General, a position that it said is also subject to its ratification in its forthcoming meeting this month.

UNIEC, Worldwide, after giving Rivers State the slot to produce its, next President General, allotted other member states other position and urged them to nominate candidates to fill those national offices.

It clarified that the Rivers State nominated President General and other national officers to be nominated by their respective states, will be ratified by the Board of Trustees, BoT of UNIEC, in its March 2025 meeting.

The list released by UNIEC, apart from giving Rivers state, the slots to produce, its President General, also gave the state the slot to produce its National provost, Assistant Secretary General, National Vice Chairman Police Affairs, National Vice President, Assistant National Director Contact and Mobilization and National Vice Chairman Stakeholders Affairs.

It gave Imo State the slots to produce the Director in charge of National Membership, National Director Women Affairs, National Liaison Officer, National Vice President, National Vice Chairman Interreligious Affairs and Assistant National Welfare Officer.

Enugu State was given the slots to produce the National Treasurer, National Liaison Officer, National Chairman Police Affairs, National Vice President, National Vice Chairman Inter-religious Affairs and Assistant National Welfare Officers.

It gave Ebonyi State, the slots to produce National Director Contact and Mobilization, National Liaison Officer, National Director of Welfare, National Vice President, Assistant National Provost and Assistant National Organizing Secretary.

Delta State according to UNIEC statement is to produce the National Legal Adviser, National Organizing Secretary, National Chairman Political Affairs, National Vice President, National Vice Chairman Police Affairs and Assistant Director Women Affairs.

While it gave Anambra State the slots to produce the National Financial Secretary, National Chairman Stakeholders Affairs, National Chairman Inter-Religious Affairs, National Vice President, Assistant National Director Media and Publicity and Assistant Director National Membership.

Abia State is expected to fill the positions of the Secretary General, National Director Media and Publicity, National Vice President, National Vice Chairman Security Affairs, National Vice Chairman Political Affairs and Assistant National Legal Adviser.

It disclosed that the positions of National Grand Patron, Life Patron and Patronesses, Spiritual/Royal Fathers, are reserved for individuals with proven integrity which is also the subject to the ratification by its Board of Trustees, BoT

It noted that the youths are its major stakeholders and it has created offices  and programs to accommodate them, just as it disclosed that offices in the group are filled through appointment or by election, and people appointed in March will conduct it affairs for four years after which they will conduct election for the people that will succeed them.

It emphasized that nominees must be people within Nigeria and the Diaspora, and such nominees should be people of integrity and impeccable character, willing and committed to key into the vision, mission, aims and objectives of UNIEC, just as they must be of proven integrity, honesty, transparency and consumed with Igbo interest, and must be people who should not let their personal interest clash with collective Igbo interest.