CONFAB: Prof. Nwabueze Heads Committee to Articulate Common Position for Ndigbo

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Ignatius Okpara, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, November 14th, 2013

Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

Leaders of thought, in the south- east geo political zone of Nigeria, Thursday in Enugu inaugurated committees to harmonize the position of Igbos ahead of the proposed national conference.

Prof. Nwabueze Heads Committee to Articulate Common Position for Ndigbo at the planned National Conference

The meeting was attended by religious, traditional, and political leaders from various states of the region.

It however, resolved that the Igbo race would forge a common front at the conference.

Professor Ben Nwabueze, who had earlier declined membership of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the National Dialogue, was appointed to chair the planning committee.

Other members includes, the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemka Achebe, who is to head the finance committee as well as serve as deputy chairman, while former Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Professor Elochukwu Amucheazi, will function as Secretary respectively.

However, all the executive members of the Ohaneze Ndigbo were conspicuously absent at the meeting.

Addressing newsmen shortly at the end of the meeting which was strictly on invitation and held under closed door, Nwabueze said the meeting was aimed at kick-starting the process of creating a common stand for Ndigbo ahead of the CONFAB.

Said the constitutional lawyer, “we are here concerning the position of Ndigbo. We are going to adopt at the national conference; that is why we are here”.

“We have not taken decision yet; that is the purpose of the meeting; the only relevant thing is that we set up committees; one is the planning committee, which will do the planning. It is going to be a process; it is not something that will end in just one meeting.

“We have also set up a fund raising committee, because we need a lot of money.

“Another committee that will be set up eventually is the outreach committee, but the members have not been appointed; they will take our position and go and discus with other ethnic groups”, he stated.

Asked why the leadership of apex Igbo socio cultural organisation Ohaneze Ndigbo, did not attend the meeting,the former minister of education said “we know that there is problem; we know that there is division in Ohaneze, part of what we are here to do is to try and resolve the problem in Ohaneze, but Ohaneze remains one umbrella organization for Ndigbo.

Other top Igbo leaders at the meeting held at the Zodiac Hotels, Enugu were wife of first Nigerian president, Mrs Uche Azikiwe, Human Rights lawyer, Olisa Agbokaba (SAN), Senator Anyim Ude from Ebonyi state, ex- president- General of Ohaneze, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi, former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Enugu state, Chief Nduka Eya, Archbishop Anthony Obinna of Owerri Catholic Diocese, Archbishop, Maxwell Anikwenwa, of the Anglican communion, Senator Offia Nwali, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd).

Also in attendance were one time minister in the second Republic, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, Senator Ben Obi and former minister of Education, Dr Aja Wachukwu, amongst others.