Barr Richard Agu Canvasses for Positive, Impactful Leadership for Ohaneze Ndigbo

By Eche Nwobasi, Nnewi

As Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide kick-starts new era under the headship of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a prominent lawyer, Richard Agu, has canvassed for a positive and impactful leadership for the Igbo apex body on affairs concerning Igbo interest.

In a lecture at Abacha community, Idemili North LGA Anambra state, on Sunday, April 30, titled "Akuruoulo: Ohaneze and Igbo Governors: Time for Paradigm Shift," the legal practitioner said that the Ohaneze Ndigbo ought to be the supreme head of the Igbo nation, which he said, should act as catalyst for enhancement of development in the entire Igbo nation.

The legal practitioner also said that beyond advocacy, Ohaneze should be made to be intentional, deliberate and focused in the process of fashioning the fresh method of engagements for the Igbo people; adding that the leadership should be seen to be independent and selfless to be able to take up this leadership roles.

Agu said, “The leadership of Ohaneze must be independent, and should be able to curry the confidence of the Igbo people. Ohaneze must be weaned off the Igbo political class, especially the governors, for them to thrive. The Ohaneze leadership should draw its power from the people. The trinity of Igbo industriousness from Ogbete to Ogige Nsukka, Abakaliki to Owerri Eke Onunwa, Asaba to Warri, Benin to Ijebu Ode, Umuahia to Ikot Ekpene markets, etc should be included, harnessed and strengthened, as their inclusion will enhance the efficacy of Ohaneze."

Speaking on what he called Think Home Philosophy (Akuruo-Ulo) for Igbo people, Agu noted the importance of every Igbo man or woman in diaspora to key into the philosophy.

He urged the Ohaneze leadership to champion the philosophy of the totality of wealth to get home with a superintendent of Oha na Ndi Eze operating under the ambit of Igbo governors.

He said, “Akuruo-Ulo, in the instance, is a directive that a certain percentage of wealth of every Igbo man or Igbo woman should reach home. It must get to the source - it must get home. This can be made possible if Ohaneze does its job properly, and keeps the Igbo governors in check. This idea becomes very pertinent because, most of our hosts are no longer very hospitable.”

He also slammed the five Southeast governors, who he said, have not done enough to develop the zone.

He contended that even with the quantum of resources at the disposal the governors, their performances put together, can hardly compare the wonderful performances of former leaders like Sam Mbakwe and Chief Jim Nwobodo, etc, who he said achieved much in their times despite lean resources at their disposal.