CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The support being garnered by the amiable President of Ohanaeze Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, for second tenure is gaining momentum following the endorsement by the Igbo king maker, Prince Chukwuemeka Onuoha, who reportedly threw his weight behind Aguene as President at the weekend.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the endorsement may have finally sent strong signals to Igbo residents in Lagos including the traditional rulers, Council of elders, women, youths and other stakeholders, who are now in full support of Chief Aguene for second tenure for his ability at repositioning Ohanaeze in Lagos State.
Prince Onuoha, who holds the title of Ugwumba in Bende, Abia State and Obi Ndigbo in Igbo-Elerin in Lagos, stated that he endorsed Aguene for second tenure because he has done extremely well by displaying leadership by example and protecting the interests of Ndigbo in the State.
Chief Onuoha, also the Chairman/CEO Oman Logistics Limited, gave insight on the composition of the Ohanaeze and stated there is no rotation of power and single tenure, hinting that the position is open to every Igbo man including Chief Aguene if he wants to contest because he had only gone for one tenure.
He explained that he was a pioneer member of Ohanaeze Lagos State and had occupied many positions before Ezendigbo Gburugburu, late Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, made him a king maker including Chief John Uche and Chief Osaai Igwe after Ohanaeze was formed in1998 in Lagos State.
Onuoha stated that the Constitution of Ohanaeze was created by eminent Igbo people such as Professor Ben Nwabueze, Professor Anya O. Anya and many others eminent Igbos, who ensured the structure of Ohanaeze was in line with protection and prosperity of every Igbo person anywhere they resides.
On the creation of Ezendigbo, he explained that the Ohanaeze constitution made it clear that there cannot be two Ezendigbo in one Local Government and where there is a Baale in such locality, the leader of Ndigbo in such area will be called Obi Ndigbo, who must link up with the Ezendigbo in the Local Government for dissemination of information to the Igbo in such areas.
On why he is championing for Chief Aguene for second tenure, Onuoha stated that since Aguene took over three years ago, there has been a new face of Ohanaeze, stating that he has performed wonders and connected Igbo to the Lagos State Government.
He further stated that apart from connecting Igbo to the Government, Aguene has brought peace in Ohanaeze indeed the Igbo in Lagos State with his transparency, honesty and human kindness.
Onuoha noted that the past leadership of Ohanaeze led the organization either from their homes or hotels, but when Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene took over, the first thing he did was to get a befitting Igbo Secretariat, know as Igbo House in Surulere.
“Today, there is direction, focus and trust among the Igbo because Aguene is open and accommodates every Igbo with every sense of love and honesty and they believed in him.”
“Chief Aguene united the Igbo and repositioned the bastardized traditional institution, known as Ezendigbo and built a strong relationship with the Lagos State Government. Today, Igbo people are recognized in Lagos State due to the leadership qualities of Aguene and every Igbo man wants him to consolidate on the gains of true leadership hence the endorsement.”
When Chief Solomon Aguene emerged as President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos in 2018, many Igbo people believed he would toe the normal way of his predecessors. But today, he has changed the narrative. The present Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos has gained more popularity both home and abroad under the leadership of Chief Solomon Ogbonna and Ndigbo are well respected in Lagos because of him.
His administration came with human face, truth and transparency, which a typical Igbo person wants in leadership. He has brought Ohanaeze to the limelight, connecting it to people that matters in the society and the host community with the likes of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Grand Patron of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, Eze Uche Dimgba, Chief Oliver Akubueze, Council of traditional rulers led by Eze Chris Offia and many other respected Igbo leaders.
Today, Ohanaeze Lagos State, has a new face via Chief Solomon Ogbonna, who they so much trusted that he can deliver the dividends of good leadership, which he has been doing since he took over the leadership.
The former President of Igbo Speaking Community, Chief Chris Ekwilo, captured the feelings of majority of Ndigbo in Lagos State when he declared publicly at different fora that Chief Aguene was a prayer answered by God to the Igbo in Lagos.
Chief Ekwilo explained that Chief Aguene has not only united the Igbo in Lagos State from Wards, Local Governments Areas and State with his leadership qualities but has connected Ndigbo to the critical Igbo stakeholders, other ethnic groups and the Lagos State Government.
Indeed, the Igbo people have seen, believed and they want continuity in order to consolidate on the achievements of Chief Ogbonna with his transformation agenda for good leadership in Lagos State for the good of Ndigbo as the endorsements continue from different Igbo groups in Lagos State.
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Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene has performed beyond expectations. He didn't only deserve second term in office but continuation as long as igbos are continued to be protected in both demolition of their shops, illegal arrest and exporting them, destroying their business as a result of envy by other tribes in Lagos State which Solomon Ogbonna Aguene stopped completely. I hail him. I am, Nwancho ikechukwu Bright.