By Esther Onyegbula

President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State chapter, Chief Leonard Okafor, popularly known as Oba Ojoto, has lauded a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Engineer Joe Igbokwe, on his 70th birthday, describing him as a catalyst for a renewed Igbo political consciousness and leadership reawakening.

Okafor, in a birthday tribute on Wednesday, said Igbokwe’s life and public service trajectory symbolise “a new dawn” for Ndigbo, particularly those in the diaspora, noting that his experience and convictions position him to redefine Igbo participation in national politics.
According to him, “to observe Agbalanze’s steady ascent is to witness a man who perceived the gathering storm clouds while they were yet a faint mist, a visionary capable of distilling the vapour of potential into a fertile downpour that now promises to nourish the parched political landscape of Igbos in diaspora.”

The Ohanaeze leader described Igbokwe as “a multidimensional leader with capacity and class,” adding that his integrity, depth of knowledge and political experience set him apart as a bridge between technocratic expertise and grassroots leadership.

He said: “Joe Igbokwe is not merely a candidate; he is a refined technocrat prepared for the rigours of governance. With over three decades of immersion in political and administrative sectors, he has operated at high levels in quality, safety, security and environmental management, aligning complex strategies with governance priorities.”

Okafor further extolled Igbokwe’s background, noting that he was born into a legacy of discipline and strong moral values in Nnewi, Anambra State, which shaped his worldview and leadership philosophy.

On his motivation for public service, Igbokwe was quoted as identifying compassion, selflessness, responsibility and integrity as the driving forces behind his political engagement.
He said his concern for the socio-economic challenges confronting the South-East and Igbo people in the diaspora fuels his commitment to service.
“I see service to my people as a form of worship. Having been blessed with life’s basic needs, it is only right to give back through purposeful leadership anchored on transparency and accountability,” he said.

Speaking on his vision, Igbokwe emphasised the need to harness the economic potential of the South-East, lamenting what he described as the paradox of abundant natural resources amid widespread poverty.
He stressed that effective representation and proactive law-making could serve as tools for economic transformation and improved security across the region.

“As the sun sets on eras defined by unmet promises, the emergence of Joe Igbokwe signals a paradigm shift. Hope is no longer a distant horizon; it is arriving in the Igbo nation,” Okafor added.

The tribute coincided with an outpouring of goodwill messages from political associates, community leaders and admirers across the country, many of whom praised Igbokwe’s contributions to governance and advocacy for Igbo interests.