Chief John Mbata
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Engineer Izuchukwu Ogbu, President, Ebonyi Youth Union Government, Lagos has added his voice of support and advice to Chief John Mbata, President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
In a brief conversation in an exclusive location on Wednesday, the dashing young engineer identifies areas of challenge in Ohanaeze Ndigbo and offers suggestions.
In particular, the Ebonyi Youth leader describes Chief Mbata as “God sent.” He however admonishes the President General to address the problems in Lagos chapter even as he lists some achievements of Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene whom he said can serve as a pillar for Chief Mbata to succeed with lasting legacies
As the President of Ebonyi Youth Union Government, Lagos, you must have been involved in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos activities and by extension the activities of Ohanaeze Ndigbo national and State chapters. How do you see the emergence of Chief John Mbata as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide?
Thank you Mr. journalist.
Following what I have read in the interview granted by the founder of Igbo Youth Awake For Sustainable Development Initiative, Honourable Jude Onyeador, headlined “Chief Mbata, Ndigbo Is Difficult To Lead,” I can say, without doubt, that Chief Mbata is God sent to Ndigbo.
This is based on what I have been reading about him including information from some of my Rivers State friends who know him as a lawyer and businessman as well as his involvement in politics.
They said he is an honest man. They also said that he is a no-nonsense man. You can’t bribe him.
So, my advice as a youth who is a full member of more than nine associations and President of Ebonyi Youth Union, is that Chief Mbata stands to chance to succeed more than past Presidents if he works with the right minds.
I know Ohanaeze Ndigbo and I know what some of the members can do. Those who have time to gang up against someone can go as far as to convince your relations to work against you.
I can’t count how many times they have approached me to work against the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene.
But I have conscience and I can confirm that nobody has performed like Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene as Ohanaeze Ndigbo President.
I was accused of an offence I did not commit and Chief Solomon Ogbonna fought so hard and released over 7 prisoners including myself from Kirikiri Correctional Centre on January 28, 2025.
None of these people blackmailing Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene has a single contact or anything to offer.
What they do is to organize themselves and extort money from people in the name of Ohanaeze . You can call me anywhere and I will defend what I am saying.
Some of the people who created problems in Lagos chapter are Enugu national executives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Now, they are not able to settle it and they are calling Chief Solomon.
My President General, my Senator, if you don’t settle the issue of Lagos now, the heat can create discomfort and stagger your good intentions within the next one year.
Those who are complaining, what efforts have they made to settle the Lagos issues?
Even Ambassador George Obiozor, the late President General was not aware of the kangaroo election they conducted in Lagos because he was on sick bed.
Their strategy is to deceive any new President General and take over the leadership and the President General will be there as a ceremonial head. And the moderator of the blackmailing group is one Everest Ozonweke.
He has approached me severally to blackmail Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene. But I have conscience and I asked: Has anybody done better than Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene?
Now, let me list some of the things Chief Solomon has done for Ndigbo in Lagos state. I can beat my chest and say Chief Solomon did better, without monthly allocation, in Ohanaeze leadership than some governors in Nigeria.
The efforts are by his personal hard earned money and contacts.
First was his intervention on Lagos government’s plans to demolish the popular phones and accessory market in the Ilaje Otumara Community, Lagos Mainland local government area occupied by over 90 percent of Ndigbo in 2019. His intervention stopped that plan by the State Government.
Secondly, he harmonized all the Igbos in Otumara Community.
Thirdly, he empowered over 100 widows that are members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos with N100k each.
The fourth one is his intervention in the affairs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo members throughout the period of Covid 19. Chief Solomon ensured that Ndigbo that are members of Ohanaeze did not lack food including medical assistance.
The fifth on the list is the provision of the first secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at No 19, James Robertson Street, Surulere.
Sixth on the list is that he also ensured that no major market was closed down because of his personal relationship with governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.
Though time will not permit me to enumerate all the good things Chief Solomon has been doing, let me point out how he organized the biggest political rally without getting even one Naira from the party. But the effort was just to bring Ndigbo together and connect them with the government of the day for the first time in Lagos state.
So, my President General, we know that you have contacts. But Chief Solomon also has contacts. There is grace of God on Chief Solomon.
Therefore, working with him will give you a soft land especially in Lagos because Lagos is a hub for Ohanaeze Ndigbo .
Let me use this opportunity to tell our President General that anyone telling you that Chief Solomon is a pusher over is just deceiving you.
70 percent of top Igbo businessmen including politicians have confidence in him.
President General, I love. So, don’t allow anybody, especially those who are looking for something to share in the name of working for Ndigbo, to deceive you.
If you are waiting for governor, CEO of bank or someone who will claim to have worked with Alkanu Ibiam, the founder of Ohanaeze Ndigbo or chairman of Ime Obi, to come and advise you, you may get it wrong.
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