2023: Ohanaeze Youths ‘Tacitly’ Endorse Dr Ogbonnaya Onu For Presidency

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, weekend, gave a nod to the minister of science and technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, to fly the presidential flag in the 2023 general election.

The socio-cultural Igbo youth group made the declaration during its Nzuko Oha Ndi Ntorobia Igbo 2020 held at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu. The event, with the theme, ‘The State of Igbo in Contemporary Society’, was an initiative of the Igbo youths to fashion ways of political emancipation of Ndigbo, specifically toward the actualisation of the Igbo presidency come 2023.

The president of the group, Mr Arthur Obiora, said the recognition given to Dr Onu was not partisan, but in celebration of his contributions toward the development of the country. He said, “It’s is devoid of politics or any political party. But the track-records of Dr Onu, right from his era as governor of old Abia State till date as a serving minister, put the former governor in the forefront of a leader par excellence. Come 2023 presidency, he is the kind of a leader that we should clamour for in the interest of Nigeria. We are already reaching out to various nationalities in Nigeria. Our leader, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has demonstrated leadership of excellence, and always reaches out to our brothers and sisters across the federation. We are building on that.”

The chairman of the organising committee of the event, Hon Tony Ezekwelu, said, “Our goal is to change the narratives. Nigeria needs an Igbo president not just for equity, but to fix various problems facing our country. Dr Onu is our role model, and very acceptable across the federation. Our prayer is for God to use him to move our country forward. He is indeed the most outstanding Igbo leader in Nigeria.”

Dr Onu, in a speech, commended the Ohanaeze youths for being steadfast and supportive toward the development of Nigeria. In his words, “I commend you for your desire in realising the Nigeria of our dream. The unity I see here pleases me. Once we are united as a country, we have surmounted all our challenges as a nation. I am exceptionally proud to receive this Hero’s Award 2020, and for recognising me as a Foremost Igbo Political Leader in the Contemporary Nigeria. It is also symbolic because I received this award in the historic ancient city of Enugu. I urge you to continue to deploy your energy in the development of our country through the age-grade system. The Buhari administration has a lot of positives for this country. Buhari wants local production of everything we currently import. He wants the youths to join the quest for Nigeria to attain economic independence. That is the only way to defeat poverty in this country.”

THE WHISTLER reports that Dr Onu was inducted into the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths’ Hall of Fame, as well as declared the ‘Foremost Igbo Political Leader’ in the Contemporary Nigeria during the event. Leaders of the organisation from all Igbo-speaking states of Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Imo and Ebonyi jointly presented the award to him.