– Professor George Obiozor recently emerged as the president-general of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo
– Obiozor is taking on one of the toughest jobs in the country
– An accomplished diplomat, it is expected that the professor will be able to surmount the challenges he is set to face in the coming days
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A former Nigerian ambassador to the United States, Israel, and Cyprus, Professor George Obiozor recently emerged as the president-general of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Obiozor emerged in an election held at the Dan Anyim stadium in Owerri, the Imo state capital, on Sunday, January 10.
President Muhammadu Buhari is top on the long list of prominent Nigerians who have so far congratulated Obiozor on his emergence as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader.
President Buhari has congratulated Professor Obiozor on his emergence as the Ohanaze Ndigbo leader.
Photo credit: @MBuhari
Source: Twitter
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But, beyond his emergence, Obiozor has his work cut out for him as he leads the group at a very difficult time for the people of the southeast in Nigeria.
In this article, Bioreports lists 5 issues the career diplomat must address urgently for his leadership at the Ohanaze Ndigbo to succeed.
1. Reach out to the aggrieved faction
Following Obiozor’s emergence, a break-away faction of the Ohanaze Ndigbo has been formed. It is expected that the first issue the professor will address is how to bring the aggrieved faction on board and unite the group for the benefit of Igbos globally.
2. Resist the temptation of political bias
Professor Obiozor must be wary of politicians whose sole aim is to hijack the Oganaeze Ndigbo, especially as he will preside over the body during the 2023 general elections. Obiozor must stand firm and refuse to be drawn into political endorsements, bias, and agreements capable of fanning the embers of discord in the group.
3. Engage aggrieved southeast groups
In the history of Ndigbo political participation, there have never been a huge number of aggrieved southeast groups as witnessed under this political dispensation, Professor Obiozor has a duty to reach out to the leadership of such groups and bring them on board as the Igbo nation charts a way for its political future ahead of 2023.
4. Give traditional and religious leaders a say in Ndigbo affairs
There is a need for Obiozor-led leadership to engage more with traditional and religious leaders in the southeast. The influence of such leaders cannot be overstated in a region where many hold their monarchs and clerics in high esteem.
5. Igbo presidency is sacrosanct
For the first time, Ndigbo are speaking with one voice and the narrative is power should be given to a southeasterner in 2023. Giving his background as an experienced diplomat, it is expected that Professor Obiozor will employ high-level diplomacy in reaching out to all political stakeholders in Nigeria and selling the Igbo presidency project to them with respect, agreements, partnerships, and cooperation that would be beneficial to all.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Professor Obiozor as the new leader and president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
In a statement by its secretary, John Udoedehe, the ruling party expressed readiness to partner and work with the new leadership of the socio-political association.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated Obiozor on his election as the president-general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The party also extolled the leaders and the people of the southeast for successfully electing a new leadership of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
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