By Ejike Ikezuagu – UK.
A UK-trained Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Ben Onwuzurike, has urged Mr. Acho Ndukwe, the interim President of the banned Men’s Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, to immediately conduct elections to fill all the vacant positions within the organisation.
Dr. Onwuzurike further urged the interim President, Mr. Acho Ndukwe, to work closely with members of the Imo State community in the UK to conduct the elections and fill all vacant positions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK. He emphasized that, in line with the organisation’s rotational structure, Imo State has been allocated the responsibility of producing the next President, and therefore its stakeholders must be fully engaged in the process.
According to Dr. Onwuzurike, it is important that the election comprehensively covers all the listed positions, and that due consultation and collaboration with the people of Imo State is prioritised.
Note, it is a public knowledge that, recently, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, under the authority of Chief John Azụta-Mbata, has formally proscribed the faction known as Men’s Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, led by Mr. Acho Ndukwe. In a decisive directive, the Worldwide leadership instructed all members of the proscribed group to rejoin the main and recognised body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, currently under the leadership of Lady Aqueen Ibeto.
This move is aimed at restoring unity, legitimacy, and organisational coherence within the Igbo diaspora community in the United Kingdom. The Worldwide leadership stressed that the existence of parallel or factional structures undermines the collective voice of Ndigbo and weakens the organisation’s ability to advocate effectively on behalf of its people.
However, it seems the directive is yet to be adhered to by the banned group led by Mr. Acho Ndukwe.
In response to renewed calls by members to proceed with elections, a key stakeholder of the group and previously removed President, Professor Joe Ukemenam advised that a broad consensus among members should first be reached before any electoral process is undertaken.
Prof. Ukemenam stressed that unity and agreement on the way forward are essential to avoid further divisions. He suggested that members should collectively determine whether to continue with the group in its current form, and only after such consensus is achieved should elections be conducted to fill the listed positions.
He further proposed a slight adjustment to the organisation’s identity, suggesting the name “Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo UK & Ireland Men’s Affair.” He explained that the mission of the redefined body would be to “rescue Igboism” and restore dignity, unity, and purpose to the Igbo community in the diaspora.
Prof. Ukaemenam further recommended the adoption of a guiding slogan:
“Amuo woke, yabulu nwoke” — “When a man is born, let him remain a man.”
He asked the members to contribute additional suggestions for the group’s vision and direction, while urging restraint, mutual respect, and civility in all deliberations. According to him, “abuse and insults are not part of Igboism; rather, pride and dignity are the hallmarks of the progressive Igbo man.”
He advised against engaging in the immediate elections but encouraged the group to instead organise its officers around a new agenda, allowing their collective work and achievements to speak for them.
He outlined several areas for advancement, including, advocacy and representation of Igbo interests in the UK and Ireland, capacity building through regular training in public speaking, leadership, followership, and networking, Community development initiatives that strengthen Igbo identity and visibility in the diaspora.
He concluded by affirming the group’s commitment to continuous learning:
“We will avail and subject ourselves to regular trainings on current key skills and methods for advocacy, public speaking, leadership, followership, networking, etc.” he said.
In alignment with Professor Joe Ukemenam’s call for a redefined direction, Chief Ralph Awurum voiced strong criticism of the prevailing structures, questioning the value of seeking validation from what he described as a compromised system.
Chief Awurum remarked: “I wonder oo, my brother. Who really needs recognition from such an endemic corrupt institution fuelled by politicians and political ambitions?”
His statement underscores a growing sentiment among stakeholders that the pursuit of legitimacy should not be tied to institutions perceived as compromised by political interference. Instead, the emphasis, he argued, should be on building a credible, self-sustaining platform rooted in integrity, dignity, and the authentic values of Igboism.
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