Igbo Speaking Community: BOT Chairman, Dr Nnaji Reacts Over Eze Nwokedi’s Comments

KINGSLEY EBERE 

Igbo Speaking Community Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr.Nnaji Jonathan, has reacted over the allegations made by Eze Chika Nwokedi, describing it as ridiculous thoughts coming from an ignorant fellow that does not know much about the meaning of Board of Trustees. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Dr. Nnaji stated that his reaction was just to educate the members of the public and Ndigbo including Ndieze, who may be misled by unguarded and irresponsible comments by Eze Nwokedi who knows nothing about the structure of the Igbo Speaking Community.

“I would not have reacted to the baseless allegations from Nwokedi as reported by media platform online because the man talking about me and the BOT is an alien to the regulatory body, but for the sake of clarity, I must educate and advice him.”

“Let me tell all stakeholders that the said Eze had come to my office at a time to pledge his loyalty and recognized me as the BOT Chairman to ascertain issues, and I received him without any reservations and we took photographs.  He has even gone to the palace of the Chairman Council of Ezendigbo in Lagos State recognized by Igbo Speaking community.”

“I told him that though his crowning or enthronement happened from a factional leader of the community during a crises, he needs to come to the Board for regularisation, since the community  was making peace and reconciling to have a united Igbo Speaking Community including Council of Ndieze in Lagos State.”

Dr Nnaji stated that he told Nwokedi that he must present certain documents and make his identity very clear for the record purposes because it was a standard procedure by the Board, which is the custodian of the Igbo Speaking Community.

“This is the procedural demand I made, which perhaps rattled and infuriated him which did not contain the demands raised by Nwokedi’s flimsy claims of goats, N250,000 which even portrayed the kind of character he is by even going on the street to make such allegations.”

Nnaji explained that the demand is not applicable to Nwokedi alone but all the Ndieze crowned by Chief Sunday Udeh and Chief Sunday Eze during the crises and the purpose is to ascertain the personalities, lifestyles and / or identities of each Eze, so that they will not create issues for the community in the long run.

On the issue of succession in the BOT leadership which also reflected in his unwarranted allegations, Dr Nnaji explained that the constitution of the Igbo Speaking Community exists without ambiguity as to leadership. The conditions are qualification, integrity, and commitment.

“Once the Board finds you worthy, the state of the Southeast you hail from is irrelevant, “he pointed.

Dr. Nnaji also debunked Nwokedi’s claim that he succeeded an Enugu man by the name late Chief Uche and stated that his immediate predecessor hailed from Imo State by the name Sir Andy Akagha.

Dr Nnaji stated that the BOT was intact and functional under his leadership. He stated that the BOT comprised 13 members and the Chairmanship is appointed within the Board and out of the 13 members, seven were no more alive while the remaining six are still functioning and communicating including the its secretary.

He explained that Eze Nwokedi had no choice and should stop getting embattled and do the regularisation with the Board to consolidate his Ezeship because he needs to clarify certain issues including his means of livelihood, town, relationship with Ndigbo among others.

On the use of Igbo Speaking community logo and RC number, he stated that he has equally cautioned against his using  it by his version of the Council of Ndieze Igbo on the certificate issued to his members because the Igbo Speaking Community has Council of Ezendigbo led by Eze Agbowodike Nwalozie and there was no need for duplication and they will not be recognized.  He stated that he has equally directed Chief Sunday Udeh, who created it to ask them to go and join the mainstream Council of Ezendigbo reorganized by the Igbo Speaking Community after being cleared by the BOT.

Dr. Nnaji explained that the logo and RC number are that of the BOT and even the Igbo Speaking Community president cannot use it without the consent of the Board because if anything happens,  it is the BOT that will be held responsible and not the President of the Igbo Speaking Community.

He explained why the BOT has not replaced the deceased members and conduct election for the new president of Igbo Speaking Community as he said it was delayed due to lingering crises over the years leading to litigations.

He explained that once the Court matter is over through the consent judgment,  election will be conducted and the deceased Board members will be replaced.

Dr. Nnaji Jonathan is the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of UNETHAN INTERNATIONAL Company Limited, a wine and beverage producing firm with offices on Lagos Island and the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State.

He is the Vice President of African Taekwondo Federation and a – 7 Dan World Teakwondo Black Belter.

Nnaji also prides as the President of Nigerian Modern Penthatlon Federation/ a Member of the Nigerian Olympic Committee . He holds numerous Chieftaincy titles for his contributions to the welfare of Ndigbo over the years.