By Chris Onuoha

Chairman Lagos State Council of Ndieze Igbo, and former President General Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. J. O. Irukwu (SAN) has enjoined Ndigbo living in Lagos and Diaspora to always be in good relationship with people in whose territory they live, saying, that’s the only way peace and harmony can only reign in a person and a country.

Prof. Iruku made this remark during a speech at the dinner event tagged: ‘2016 Iriji Ndigbo’ (New Yam Festival) and Award ceremonies and official launching of Igbo House in Lagos, organized by the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, (ISCL) an arm of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, held on Thursday November 10 at the Colonades Hotel, Ikoyi Lagos.

Prof. Iruku said; “Today’s Iriji event organised by Ndigbo in Lagos is an expression of one of the seven pillars of Igbo culture that says when you go to a place where will you live and work, you endorse it as a home. And for those of us, who live in Lagos for very long, we have given our best to Lagos. One of our duties as Indigbo who live and work in Lagos, and have adopted Lagos as our home, is to try and make sure that we have very good relationship with the people in whose territory we live. That’s what makes this organisation a very important one. This is an event to celebrate integrity, love and good relations.”

President-General, Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State, Chief Ebere Ubani in his welcome address thanked the distinguished personalities, sons and daughters of Ndigbo and recipients of awards who made the event worthwhile.

Ubani urged Ndigbo living in Lagos and Diaspora to see the Iriji Festival as one avenue to chart way forward for the Igbo cause. While officially launching the proposed Igbo House in Lagos which its purpose is for the gathering of Ndigbo and Igbo Language School in Lagos, enjoined them never to ignore the benefits of the mother tongue which is one unifying factor to bring Ndigbo together.

Keynote speech titled “Haunted Hopes, Reflections and Commentaries on Igbo Land and Igbo leadership today” was delivered by Mazi Kalu Onuma, Administrative Secretary, Ndigbo in Lagos. Some of the highlights of his lecture hinged on the importance attached to Igbo organizational gathering after Civil war, the weakness of Igbo institution, differentiating Igbo leaders from Igbo politicians and challenges militating against Ndigbo moving forward in the polity of nations.

Recipients of the Award include Prof. J. O. Iruku, Ambassador Patrick Dele-Cole, Prof. Kimise Koko, Chief Yinka Odumakin, Chief Duro Onabule, Prof. Femi Aribisala, Odia Ofeimun, Chief Femi Okoronmu, Dr. Ernest Obiejesi, (Nestoil Group), Dr. Dan Chukwudozie among others. Royal fathers include Eze Amb. Jude Ihenetu, Eze Ndigbo Ghana, HRH. Dr. Cyril Anomneze, Eze Uche Dimgba, Eze Gabby Dimude, among others, while the Royal Father of the night is His Royal Highness Eze Emma Saint-George Ekeh, Ishi Ubomiri, Imo State.