By Emma Okereke
Owerrri
Oha-na-eze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural organization of Igbos has been charged to champion the crusade for the South East to produce the next president of Nigeria, come 2015.
The Governor of Imo State, Owella Anayo Rochas Okorocha, gave the charge when the group paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri.
He, however, called for people of vision irrespective of where they come from as leaders, stressing the need to deemphasize zoning and focus on credibility, capability and ability.
Governor Okorocha, who said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo should be the umbrella body that provides shelter for the entire Igbo Nation, noted that what should be paramount politically is for Ndi Igbo to show interest in the presidential seat of this country in 2015.
He regretted that some leaders of Igbo extraction do not talk about the welfare of the Igbos but about their selfish interest, adding that it is a shame.
“When will Ndigbo be the president?. Why are our leaders not talking about the welfare of the Igbos but their selfish interest? I will be part of that Ohanaeze that will talk about the welfare of Ndigbo not the welfare of an individual”, he said.
The Governor approved land for the group to build their secretariat in the State and promised to make available a bus for them as well as logistics.
Earlier in his address, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Imo State Chapter, Amb. Eva A. Akpelu, said that they came to present the new leadership of the organization to the governor and identify with the good works he is doing in Imo State.
The president, who noted that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a socio-cultural, a non-partisan and non-sectarian organization, stated that its aims and objectives include to serve as a focal point of reference, of direction and of collective leadership in matters affecting the interest, solidarity and welfare of Ndigbo and to also promote, develop and advance Igbo language and culture.
He commended the governor on his numerous achievements within three years in office, adding that as a commander of free education he had touched lives and showed light to several families.
He has appealed to the governor to approve a piece of land for the building