…Set for commissioning October

By Juliet Umeh

Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has described the new Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Headquarters being built in Enugu by former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, as a symbol of the common heritage binding Ndigbo and a reminder of the need for greater unity.

Mbah made the remarks on Tuesday, during an inspection of the facility alongside the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata. The facility is said to be 85 percent complete.

The governor said the historical elements incorporated into the complex would help younger generations reconnect with their roots.

He said: “Senator Okorocha is reminding us that, somehow, in a way, we all have a root as Igbo people. We all started from somewhere. This reminds us that, at a time like this, the Igbo must come together.

“I had just been to a location in the building where history is being brought back to us, reminding us of how we all started.”

Commending Okorocha for the initiative, Mbah added: “Having a son of Igboland site this structure in Enugu and make sure it is happening here, for me, is remarkable. I cannot think of a better time to continually remind ourselves that we come from the same roots.”

Explaining his motivation, Okorocha said the condition of the former Ohanaeze secretariat prompted him to seek permission to build a new headquarters.

“I was here some years ago and I saw the building called the Igbo Secretariat. I felt that it was not sufficient enough, so I decided to seek permission from Ohanaeze and put up this building for my people.”

Okorocha added: “Most importantly, I am not doing this because I am wealthy. I am not doing it to dramatise wealth. It is simply my heart speaking, the heart of love for my people.

“We have often been misunderstood and misrepresented by the entire world. This is the time to correct that and let the world know who we are: that we are peace-loving people, hardworking people and people who love progress.”

Azuta-Mbata described the headquarters as an important symbol of Igbo identity.

He said: “We are very delighted that Okorocha has been so magnanimous and deliberate in his actions to create this symbolism for the benefit of our people.”

The Managing Director of Walsh Blanc, Mrs Uloma Rochas-Nwosu, who supervised the project, said: “The inspiration came from the idea that the Igbo people needed a place to unite. He asked us to create something that would tell the story of the Igbo nation.”

According to her, the facility has 11 offices, conference rooms, two amphitheatres, ICT facilities and a memorabilia section, while seven pillars represent the seven Igbo-speaking states.