TWO YEARS IN OFFICE: AGUENE COMMEND SANWO-OLU, PARTNERS FIDELITY BANK FOR OHANAEZE MEMBERSHIP CARD
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene (m); Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources to the Lagos State Governor, Engr. Joe Igbokwe (4th right); General Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief (4th left); Treasurer, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief and others during cutting of the Cake to mark Two (2) Years in office of Chief Aguene as President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos at the Union Secretariat, Surulere, Lagos
* Partners Fidelity Bank to Launch Verve Card that Doubles as Membership ID
* Joe Igbokwe congratulates Ohanaeze Leader, Kicks against APC Apex Leader position, says ‘I am the face of Ndigbo in APC’
It was a huge celebration for members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the entire Igbo community in Lagos as Chief Solomon Aguene Ogbonna celebrated his second year in office as President of the sociocultural organization. Many notable Ndigbos in various spheres were present to give immense support to their leader among whom were Nollywood legends like Zach Orji, Ejike Asiegbu, Mr. Ibu and the Special Adviser (Drainage and Water Resources) to the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu.
L-R: Branch Leader, Ikeja GRA Branch, Fidelity Bank Plc, Chidozie Ezissi; President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Solomon Ogbonna and Nollywood Actor, Mr. Ibu during the unveiling of the ‘Ohanaeze Ndigbo Fidelity Bank Card’ at the Ohaneze Ndigbo Secretariat, Surulere, Lagos.
The President who reeled out his achievements in two years said: ‘In line with the mission of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide which is to liaise with all tiers of government in Nigeria to ensure rapid socio-economic development in Igbo land, while promoting dignity and self respect among Ndigbo wherever they live, this Administration has established a deep synergy with the Lagos State Government.’
‘The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has enjoyed goodwill, built cordial relationships with the Igbo elites, business communities and the Lagos State Government. Ndigbo leadership interventions in critical communal issues had been a catalyst for peaceful coexistence among Ndigbo and their host, particularly the Yorubas.’
L-R: Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos; President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Solomon Ogbonna; Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources to the Governor of Lagos State, Engr. Joe Igbokwe and Wife of Nollywood Actor, Mrs. Zach Orji during the 2nd Year in Office Celebration of Chief Solomon Ogbonna as President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos at the Secretariat, Surulere.
‘The Union has embarked on civic engagement and international relations exercises through Diaspora affiliation with the German and Spanish Governments on Trade and cultural exchange programme. In collaboration with the South African High Commission in Lagos, the Union reached an agreement on the need to checkmate the unpleasant treatments foreigners were subjected to and xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationalities in the country.’
Chief Ogbonna was especially grateful to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu for the 2019 widows support and COVID-19 support.
‘Ohanaeze Ndigbo express gratitude to the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his running inclusive Government and most importantly the “2019 Widows’ Empowerment Programme organised by the State Government for Members of Ndigbo in the state. An Initiative designed to support and alleviate the sufferings of the less privileged in the society. A total of One hundred Igbo Widows were given N100, 000 each as start up funds for their petty Business.’
On the pandemic, ‘Ndigbos in Lagos rose to the challenges through social intervention and provision of stimulus packages and palliatives in partnership with the Lagos State Government and major donors, most especially the Co-founder of Ebele and Anychuks Foundation, High Chief Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Oddi. Public awareness Campaigns against COVID-19 were staged in an attempt to curb the spread and fight against the Virus.’
The President then revealed the new initiative that his administration is bringing with partnership of Fidelity Bank. Flagging it off, he said: ‘the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Membership Identity and Debit Card is an Initiative designed to make local and international business transactions and self identification for members.’
On his part, Fidelity Bank representative stated that the ID card can also be used for transactions. ‘It is a verve card that you can use within and outside Nigeria. You can use online and it works 24/7. What we have here today is a prototype of the card. There are more things we will do together as organization. It will have name and picture of card holder and you can use it on international transactions.’
The Executive Coordinator of Ndigbo in APC, Eze Uchedinma who expressed his joy at the development said: ‘today we are invited to come and unveil a new Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos ID card which is been offered by Fidelity Bank and to celebrate the second year of Chief Solomon Aguene. He has shown capacity to lead. To lead Igbos is not easy because they will first try to push you down but he has stood and is still standing well. Formerly, Ohanaeze does not have an address but he has made Ohanaeze an institution with an address. We pray for God to give him strength, power and wisdom to continue to lead.
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe spoke on the reason for being at the celebration, ‘We are partners in progress with Lagos State Government. We are not unmindful of Igbo presence in Lagos trade, business, politics, commerce and industry. Ohanaeze is a critical partner just like Igbos in APC. We are here to coordinate proper synergy between us and Lagos State Government to make sure we have peaceful coexistence and harmony, to understand the dynamics of Lagos politics and economy. I will stand by you Ohanaeze, you have made it possible for Lagos State Government to recognize the Ndigbos’
When asked by pressmen about the contentious issue of the position of Igbo apex leader in APC, the former APC publicity secretary said: ‘It does not exist. What is apex leader? Nothing. I have been in Lagos since 1985 and serving the 4th governor of Lagos. I was the pioneer GM of LASIMRA. After serving there for close to 12 years, I moved to Apapa to be the pioneer Chairman of Wharf Landing Authority and I was there for 4 years before I moved over to become SA to the Governor. So I have seen it all. I was elected publicity secretary of our party for 13 years. So my hands are full.’
‘What is apex leader? I belong to APC. I don’t want to talk about such positions. Can it be bigger than the SA on drainage and water resources in a coastal city?’
‘There is nothing you can do in politics in APC in Lagos if you don’t see me. By the grace of God, I am the face of Ndigbos in APC in Lagos. If anybody tells you anything else don’t believe it because I have been there for a while. If you want to play the role, go and line up for your turn.’
On the Honorable member of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Idimogu, Mr. Igbokwe remarked: ‘I went to bring him into APC before 2019 elections. He went to Lagos House of Assembly as a PDP member in 2015. In 2019, we noticed that if he still remain a PDP member he may not make it. So I was the one who went to bring him in. Now he is saying he is the only elected person in Lagos. What happened to my 13 years as publicity secretary in APC Lagos, was I not elected? It is laughable, unbelievable, shows mediocrity, shame and lack of understanding. I used my resources, capacity and my sweat to encourage them.’
Taking the example of the Yorubas, he advised Igbos in Lagos on the need to cooperate for their progress, ‘We will continue to make our people build bridges. Abiola won elections, he was killed, his wife was killed, over 5000 died. I wrote Heroes of Democracy. At the time, many Yoruba leaders were exiled or in detention. Shortly after that, Southwest formed a alliance with the North, are they political fools. They said let’s make sacrifice even though it was Obasanjo that got it. It was not him they presented and they didn’t vote for him in the region. He was forced on them but they accepted.’
‘The point I am making is the same Southwest formed another alliance to bring us APC. They were not sulking or crying of marginalization. They worked out issues. Today, Osinbajo is Vice President, I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Don’t stay in your little corner thinking someone will beg you, leave your comfort zone and build alliance in other parts of the country. Stop hate speech and stop abusing people. The people you abuse today may be your friends tomorrow’, he concluded.
