By Emeka Mamah
Enugu – The National Executive Council, NEC, of the apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has passed a vote of confidence on its President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

At an emergency meeting of Ohanaeze in Enugu Monday, the NEC said that Chief Nwodo was not only transparent in his leadership of the body but was also articulate and vocal in his pursuit of fairness and equity for Ndigbo in the country.

According to a statement signed by Nwodo’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Emeka Attamah, the members also, “condemned in its entirety the recent bomb attack on Chief Nwodo which they said was cowardly and unwarranted, wondering why anybody would want to harm Chief Nwodo whom they said was working assiduously to restore Ndigbo to their rightful place in Nigeria.”

The statement further read, “Ohanaeze called on the security apparatus (agencies) in the country not to treat the bombing incident with levity but to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

“They urged the President General not to be deterred by the attack on him but to continue to be focused in his leadership of Ndigbo…,” adding that posterity would give him a deserving place in the annals of Ndigbo history.

“Meanwhile, representatives of Ohanaeze in Abuja led by retired General Collins Ihekire stormed the NEC meeting to bring their goodwill and solidarity message to Chief Nwodo.

Delivering a letter of support and encouragement to Chief Nwodo, General Ihekire said that Ndigbo in Abuja were highly elated and proud of his deposition on behalf of the South West, South South, South East and Middle Belt during their visit to the Senate leadership.

“He said that Chief Nwodo by his oratory, articulation and poignancy succeeded in enthralling the entire nation in his delivery and thanked him for raising the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to an enviable and commendable pedestal.

“They pledged to always contribute their quota to the upliftment of the parent body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“Responding, Chief Nwodo stated that he was humbled by the encomiums poured on him and assured them that he would never abdicate the role given to him by the entire Igbo.

“The President General decried the proliferation of Igbo traditional rulers in Abuja and other major cities where Ndigbo reside as nauseating and embarrassing to Ndigbo.

He called on Ohanaeze in Abuja to set up an organ that would regulate the emergence of Igbo Ezes in Abuja as well as also to undertake the enumeration of Ndigbo in Abuja.

“The President General stated that cognizant of the enormous duty ahead of Ohanaeze NEC, its membership was peopled by high-ranking Ndigbo who had distinguished themselves in various spheres of life, including a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, a former Deputy Governor and presently a Vice-Chancellor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a retired Commissioner of Police and a former Attorney General among others.

“He said that this had uplifted the level of discussions and contributions at meetings leading to very important decisions on behalf of Ndigbo and assured them that they would never relent.”