•Okwara
Industrialist and Ohanaeze stalwart, Chief Livinus Okwara, has pledged to support the Igbo in every way for progress and unity.
Okwara spoke at the official handover of the certificate of honour as Nnandigbo in Diaspora, which took place in Lagos.
Recall that the installation of Okwara as Nnandigbo in Diaspora took place earlier, where dignitaries, Igbo, friends and well-wishers honoured him for his contributions to the growth and welfare of Igbo at home and abroad, reports The Nation.
The event attracted dignitaries, Ohanaeze members, family, friends, and well-wishers, who celebrated Okwara, a successful entrepreneur and founder of Rimax Group.
Okwara lauded the honour and pledged to use the office to support Igbo people worldwide. He also advocated amnesty and greater opportunities for Igbo youths affected by historical challenges.
He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for policy steps taken to improve the economy, appealing to him to do more to better the lot of the Igbo.
“When I came back from the UK, I aligned with the progressives as a resident, who was born in Lagos. I’ve been supporting APC, specifically Tinubu from his campaign days till he got to the presidency.
“I’m aware of what he is doing to improve the economy. Nigeria belongs to all and not to a particular tribe or people.
“I’m still asking him for amnesty for our young people who have been held. The Igbo are well represented democratically. But much still has to be done. I will use my good office as Nna Ndigbo in Diaspora to ask for more for the Igbo.
“We have been disadvantaged; Tinubu has to help in further development. We love Nigeria like every other tribe.
Okwara’s vision is in line with eastern governors’ vision who endorsed Tinubu. He advised the Igbo to be peaceful wherever they are.
“My brothers should stop wrangling, sheathe their swords, stop the killings, love themselves and they will get more. As a leader, I will lead my people right,” he said.
President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State, Solomon Aguene, said Igbo must respect their landlords, since they dwell in their land.
He said: “We use the word diaspora because here is not our soil. When you are in Lagos you cannot claim ownership; you are in the diaspora. So Okwara is our head.
“Whatever he says among us is final. So, I want to present the certificate of Nnadigbo to the diaspora.
“We must respect our principal, our landlords, the Yoruba people, for those in the West.
“We must respect them for what you have achieved in their soil, because if they don’t give you the soft landing, you have no chance to progress.
“So, we stand on the existence of the soft landing they gave to us to say that this is a man that has known even the President of Nigeria for so many years, and other stakeholders of this soil, if you have any issue, especially those who are in the land, you must respect them.”
