L-R: Immediate Past Chairman, Council of Ndi Eze Lagos State, Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu; Eze of Ikeja, Eze Uchedinma; Chairman, Council of Ndi Eze Lagos State, Eze Sir Chris Emeka Offia and other New Executives during the Inaugural General Meeting/Press Conference held at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Secretariat, Surulere, Lagos.
* New Leadership Holds Inaugural General Meeting
* Immediate Past Eze Ndigbo 1, Eze Nwachukwu Throws Weight Behind Them, Says ‘Coast Is Clear for New Executives’
There has been a change in leadership at the Ndieze Igbo sociocultural group in Lagos. The organization which is the umbrella body of all Igbo traditional chiefs in Lagos has been under the worthy administration of Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu for years.
Speaking about the change of guard at the first general meeting of the new executives, the immediate past leader, Eze Nwachukwu shared: ‘My time has been very good. It has been about making peace with all stakeholders – Ndigbos and others – in Lagos. I have done my part and I have handed over successfully. We guided our brothers, especially those in political parties to desist from painting us in bad light. We can see that they have embraced peace. I believe the new executives will do their part and also hand over.’
L-R: Chairman, Council of Ndi Eze Lagos State, Eze Sir Chris Emeka Offia; Eze of Ikeja, Eze Uchedinma and the New Publicity Secretary of the Council.
‘The coast is clear for the new executives to build on the relative peace that we have started. We will also stand by them to ensure that they perform excellently.’
On his part, the new Chairman of the Council of Ndi Eze, Sir Chris Emeka Offia remarked: ‘A good market sells itself. As my people chose me to do this job without rancour, I have accepted the role. I believe with their support, I will fly because they have given me wings to fly.’
On his goals in the new role, the new leader noted: ‘The interest of my people and their peaceful coexistence with others will be pursued. We will exhibit our cultural values and help those who are in need to receive social support.’
Many Igbo cultural leaders were present at the inaugural general meeting. Sharing his thoughts, Chief Sir Oliver Akubueze, Chairman of Elders in Council, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos shared: ‘everything new calls for settling down. With the quality of leadership of the new leadership, I believe they will do extremely well.’
The Eze of Ikeja, Eze Uchedinma shared: ‘The past government have done their best and are gone. No one can do everything right. What they have achieved is highly appreciated and we are happy that the handover was very peaceful. Previously, it would have been fights. We are happy for the past executives and encourage the new executives to do better.’
‘We call on everyone that has offended us that they are forgiven. We call on those that have done well. We are calling on everyone to come together as we know we are republican in nature. Let’s disengage from the attitude of ‘know it all’. We are trying to let our people know that they have to be informed and that’s why we have many Igbo WhatsApp groups to disseminate information. We are connected and we are moving forward.’