The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide Barr. Basil Onyeachonam Onuorah,
has said the organization was not a breakaway or a factional body but the only Ohanaeze Ndigbo whose existence is legal as a lawful organisation ,recorgnized by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to represent the interests of Ndigbo and be accountable to Ndigbo and the laws of the land.
Barr. Basil Onyeachonam Onuorah stated this at a World Press Conference held at Transcorp Hilton Abuja,on Friday 30th October, 2020.
He said the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC has restored the organization’s Certificate of Incorporation earlier withdrawn by the commission in line with Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 as amended.
Recalled that on the 29th of June 2020, the Corporate Affairs Commission made a publication which was also published in CAC verified Twitter handle notifying the general public that CAC has withdrawn and cancelled the registration certificate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, in line with the extant laws.
However, Corporate Affairs Commission 20th October, 2020 notified the organization of the Certificate restoration through the Commission’s letter titled REINSTATEMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION : INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY – IT: 144918.
Barr Onuorah said:
“We have also discontinued our five hundred billion naira (#500,000,000,000.00) civil suit against the Corporate Affairs Commission with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/790/2020. The general public is hereby notified accordingly.
“It is a thing of joy to announce to Ndigbo all over the world that Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the first time, in the history of its existence, is now registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria with the registration number IT:144918.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is now a body with Corporate status, legally recognised by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Charter of the United Nations and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
“The ongoing restructuring and recomposition of Ohanaeze Ndigbo became imperative, because the organisation was reduced to a mere pressure group, an elders forum of certain political persuasions, existing without corporate legal status, driven with egocentrism and lack of accountability.
“We are honoured and humbled by the support of notable Igbo leaders in Nigeria and diaspora who are committed to the unity, security, prosperity of Ndigbo and the ongoing restructuring of our apex sociocultural organisation.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide will work with the youths of Igboland. We will support our youths to take advantage of both federal and state governments empowerment programmes, aimed at poverty alleviation.
“We will begin with the ongoing youth empowerment funds and programs introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Our Elders Council will no longer be business as usual, it is no longer a one man business. This is the time for all our Igbo elders to participate in the affairs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo .
“We want to use this opportunity to appreciate all our hardworking Governors, our Honourable Ministers of Federal Republic of Nigeria, our Distinguished Senators of Federal Republic of Nigeria, our Honourable Members of Federal House of Representatives, all of Igbo extraction. Our Captains of Industry, our Traditional Rulers and all our illustrious Igbo sons and daughters who have contributed in different capacities towards human capital development and welfare of Ndigbo at large.
“This is the time to effectively consult and work together with our Governors and all notable Igbo stakeholders in order to make Ohanaeze Ndigbo great again and for the greater prosperity of Ndigbo all over the world.
Ohaneze Ndigbo further commended Nigerian youths for standing up in moment of anger and frustration to speak up, the nationwide protest has yielded the anticipated attention from the Federal Government of Nigeria and concerned stakeholders.
The group urged youths to desist from further protest as their voices have been heard loud and clear.
“We sympathize with all those who lost their loved ones in the recent Nationwide protest on ENDSARS and other similar demands, and pray for the repose of all the souls departed.
“On one Nigeria we stand! There is a great future in one Nigeria, this is the time for greater unity in Nigeria, a time to respect our elders and honour those whom honour is due, a time to consolidate on the visions of the founding fathers of Ohanaeze Ndigbo it is the vision of our founding fathers to unite Ndigbo and speak with one voice.
“This is the time for Ndigbo to align and appreciate the Federal Government for its developmental strides in Igbo land.
“Under the present administration of Federal Government of Nigeria, people oriented projects capable of impacting on the economy of South East region have been prioritized in governance. Recently, reconstruction of Akanu Ibiam airport was completed and commissioned. Enugu-Port Harcourt express road, Enugu-Onitsha express road and other arterial federal roads are at different levels of rehabilitation while construction work on the Second Niger Bridge is progressing at impressive speed.
“It is a thing of joy that Onitsha sea port is now functional, even as Ebonyi International Airport has been approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other gargantuan projects for the South East region”. President General stated.
The group further warned that any publication or gathering in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo anywhere in Nigeria or abroad without the due approval or recognition by the current National Executive of Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide amounted to impersonation and such conveners will face the full force of the law. Enjoined all security agencies to take note.
The President General also pledged to serve Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide at all times in the spirit of fidelity, accountability and commitment to the common good of Ndigbo,and always in accord with the purposes and visions of the founding fathers.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly worldwide is the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation saddled with responsibility of uniting Ndigbo and all Igbo organisations all over the world.
