Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu has emerged as the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Nze Chukwu, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southeast, takes over the highest office following the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on July 25, 2024.
The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, in a statement obtained by Naija Daily News, announced that Chukwu was selected at the Ime-Obi group meeting in Enugu on Saturday.
Recalling how the group got to that state, he said to complete Imo State’s tenure, the people of Imo State presented Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu to Imeobi Ohanaeze as a replacement for the late Obiozor.
“By applying the doctrine of necessity, Iwuanyanwu was sworn in on April 30, 2023. Unfortunately, Chief Iwuanyanwu passed away on July 25, 2024, and was buried on November 1, 2024.
“In line with the doctrine of necessity, the Imo State Chapter of Ohanaeze, led by Barrister C.J. Ihemedu, presented Nze Ozichukwu to Imeobi Ohanaeze to complete the remaining four-year tenure allotted to Imo State.”
He said the motion to adopt Nze Ozichukwu was moved by Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman of the Imo Council of Elders, and seconded by Chief Simon Okeke (Ochendo).
In moving the motion, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya stated that Ozichukwu is a cerebral thinker with sterling qualities. He informed Imeobi that Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, KSM, KSS, is a Nigerian management executive and entrepreneurship development consultant.
Many Imeobi dignitaries welcomed the emergence of Nze Chukwu, including Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, represented by the Secretary to the Government of Enugu State, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke, GCON, Prince Garry Igariwey, and Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe.
Others were Prof. ABC Nwosu, Prof. Elochukwu Amucheazi, Chief Ejiofor Onyima, Dr. Mrs. Kate Ezeofor, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Engr. Chike Madueke, Archbishop Prof. E.O. Chukwuma, Chief Emeka Diwe, Eze Ibe Nwosu, Chief Mike Okiro, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Dr. Uche Uzochukwu, Dr. Pat Onukwuli, Chief Okechukwu Ujah, Ambassador Eddy Onuoha, Dr. Eme Okoro, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, Eze Uche Dimgba, Eze Christopher Offia, Chief Tony Ukasanya, and others.
The Presidents of Ohanaeze from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Rivers State were also present. The President of the Rivers State Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Lucky Ekeji, expressed his joy that the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo will come from Rivers State.
Elated by the development, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Okey Emuchay MFR, said, “Today is phenomenal in the annals of Igbo history,” and thanked the Igbo nation for their unwavering support throughout turbulent times.
Most Imeobi members inferred that Ozichukwu is a man of courage, integrity, and principles whose stance on any matter is predictable. They described him as a moral edifice who detests mundane hubris in power. The most cherished aspect of Ozichukwu’s pedigree is his unassailable organizational ability, with records in public service that remain untarnished even by the most uncharitable.
