The Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos on Thursday 20th August hosted her Grand Patron, foremost business mogul and philanthropist, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii at its secretariat as part of its efforts to appreciate his Support and contribution to the development of the Union and members in the last two years.
In his Speech, the President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Solomon Aguene eulogised Odii’s unmatched Philanthropic gestures and Empowerment programmes which his foundation had done in the last two years particularly the construction and donation of Blocks of Classrooms, well furnished Housing Units and Distribution of hundreds of Vehicles and Motorcycles to his Community. During the Covid-19 lockdown Period, He recalled how Odii distributed thousands of food items, stimulus packages and financial supports to Unions and people in his Hometown.
While addressing the gathering, Odii said he was amazed at the warm reception he received. In his words, He stated that he was born to be a Humanitarian, to love mankind and contribute to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth. “Because God had blessed me, I have also decided to give back to the people and my community to alleviate their sufferings of the common man.
Speaking further, Odii promised to build a befitting Secretariat Office for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the Name of the Union’s President, Chief Solomon Aguene.
He also donated five million Naira to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women, Two million Naira to the Royal Union and Actors Guild of Nigeria respectively. The Youth wing was presented with Two hundred thousand Naira.
On the rumoured Factionalisation in the state Union, Aguene said “there is no faction in Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, the self acclaimed Leader never contested for the Presidency but Chairmanship position of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo at Ikorodu local government which he lost, it was used as a strategy to intimidate other Igbo Associations in Ikorodu Local Government Area”.
During an exclusive interview with Pressmen, a former factional Leader of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state, Col. Reuben Nwoka (rtd.), said he actually decided to step down and collapsed his faction into the Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene-led Leadership following the intervention of the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Ayangburin of Ikorodu Kingdom, HRH Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi. He advised the Igbo in the state to ensue bitterness, rancor and unite to lift and promote the heritage of the Igbo race.
Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene urges Ndigbo in Lagos to respect the Tradition and Culture of their host Communities as this will strengthen the mutual relationship and hospitality they had enjoyed in time immemorial.
He also called on his Kinsmen to support the ruling Party especially in Lagos where the Igbo had recorded ninety percent success of Business, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu so as to continue to enjoy the dividends of Democracy and the development of the State.
By Olabode Adeyeri
@Citizen News NG