The Nsukka Professionals Group, the elite assembly of professionals and business people from the Nsukka cultural zone of Enugu State resident in Lagos, has expressed gratitude to the leaders and elders of the Igbo Nation across the entire Igbo speaking states of Nigeria and the diaspora for the unprecedented step of conceding the presidency of Ohaneze Ndigbo to the Nsukka people.
In a statement on Thursday signed by the General Secretary , Barrister Nick Omeye and Publicity Secretary, Dan Ugwuoke, the group applauded the decision affirmed at the recent meeting of the Ndigbo leaders in government, business and the Ndi Eze and Igwes of the Igbo Nation at Enugu, that culminated in the unanimous selection of Chief John Nnia Nwodo by the Nsukka cultural zone for the Presidency of Ohaneze Ndigbo at the general election scheduled for January 7th 2017.
The statement explained that Chief John Nnia Nwodo was a lawyer and economist by training and at different times Special Assistant and Minister of Aviation under President Shehu Shagari and Minister of Information and Culture under General Abdulsalam Abubakar .
He was also a Presidential aspirant under one of the defunct political parties before formally retiring from politics five years ago to focus on church activities at the diocesan, parish and local levels as well as community and cultural development activities.
“We totally endorse the selection of Chief John Nnia Nwodo because of his sterling experience in public service, his towering intellect and unassailable personal integrity but more significantly his love for Igbos and his total commitment to Ndigbo, their struggles, their aspirations, their culture and the progress of the Igbo nation. A time such as this in the history of our dear nation Nigeria demands a person with the stature, global acceptability and store of goodwill across Nigeria’s tribal and religious divides and unwavering commitment to the cause of Ndigbo to preside over the affairs of Ohaneze Ndigbo. We are confident that if given the opportunity by the leaders and elders of Ndigbo Chief John Nnia Nwodo will inject the much desired new energy, direction and national purpose to the Ohaneze Ndigbo.”
“We therefore once again thank the leaders and elders of Ndigbo for the confidence they have reposed on our people of the Nsukka cultural zone at this auspicious time in our history and confirm our full support for Chief John Nnia Nwodo in accepting the call to the service of Ndigbo”, the group added.
