Despite the rising phenomenon of inter tribal animosities and bleak prognosis for a united country, there seems to be a comforting certainty of a better one Nigeria in the years ahead from a discernible and mutually benefitting engagements between Lagos State government and Lagos Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Signs of this became obvious in June when the current leadership of Lagos Ohanaeze marked its second year in office.
Presenting his testimonial at the second anniversary, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, the president of the association, re emphasized the focus of the team he leads which centres on institutionalizing Lagos Ohanaeze Ndigbo as an association that addresses the needs, wishes and priorities of its members as well as provide informed advice that helps to shape those priorities in the direction of advancing and illuminating Ndigbos’ interests.
To achieve this, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, solidly backed by Chief Oliver Akabueze, former President of the association and current Chairman, Council of Elders, embarked on a reform agenda that tallies with an effective and efficient member association with clear administrative and strong communication links and a well run, proficient and dedicated secretariat in Surulere which serves as administrative, consultative base and engine room for Ndigbos in the State.
“Our administration is committed to the care and welfare of all Ndigbos in Lagos. It is no longer an association of business as usual where anything goes. That is the reason we got a digitalized secretariat for proper documentation and implementations of our goals. That is the vision of the team I lead,” he said emphatically.
On his part, Chief Akabueze, who has deep knowledge of the history of Lagos Ohanaeze, has severally maintained that Aguene’s style of managing the association is unique and unmatched by all parameters of assessment which informs the reasons he has always stood by him to ward off distractions. Of particular interest is the alignment with Lagos APC government which has attracted much goodwill to Ndigbos.
Aguene, a successful and well travelled business man, especially in the area of promoting African art, recognizes the importance of peace and peaceful co habitation, especially with host people and government including the traditional enclave.
Without wasting time, he set off to addressing an existing animosity between the Oba of Lagos, His Highness, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and Ndigbo, occasioned by the Oba’s fatherly advise to the Igbos to vote APC in the 2015 general elections which was misconstrued as a threat to the Igbos.
Indeed, those who amplified the royal father’s advise invented a different meaning to the effect that the Oba had threatened to invoke Lagos Lagoon underwater demons to feast on Igbos should they not vote for APC.
“I felt it was an issue to be addressed frontally because I know Lagos Ndigbos need peace for their enterprising and other vocational endeavours. I led a peace mission to the Oba Akiolu’s palace. I was accompanied by Nigeria’s former Vice President, Ebitu Ukiwe, former Ambassador to the United States, Cyprus and Israel, George Obiozor and others. The royal father, who has a pan Nigerian spirit having worked round the country as a senior police officer, received us well. Surprisingly, we discovered he has strong partnership and friendship with Ndigbo dating back to his contribution to the return of late Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu. His contribution was unknown to so many Ndigbos. In the end, we were able to reconcile the issues before our inauguration,” he said.
Aguene, who hit the ground running after inauguration however, thanks governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his accelerated cooperation with Lagos Ndigbo by supporting the association through different windows.
He pointed out the benevolent spirit of the governor who has generously redeemed his campaign pledge of N100,000 each to the over 100 Ndigbo widows
“In the 2019 Windows’ Empowerment Programme organised by Lagos State Government for members of the Union, a total of 100 Igbo widows got N100, 000 each as start ups facility. We are grateful to the governor for this. Our Ezes have also benefitted from the governor. I feel justified for the support we gave him. The Ohanaeze I lead will support Lagos APC over and again,” he vows.
Aguene’s concerns for the economic rebirth of the over four million Lagos Ndigbos has materialiazed in the Fidelity Bank Ohanaeze Ndigbo Membership Identity and Debit Card which is designed as a seamless local and international business transactions and self identification for members.
As the innovative pattern of Aguene’s administration resonates round the nation, array of high class Igbo professionals and leading Nollywood players are beginning to identify with the association even as the growing financial membership is a clear signal of the confidence Lagos Ndigbos have in Aguene who exudes life of purpose and steadfastness, perseverance and deference to God in the pursuit of set goals.
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