Chief Iwuanyanwu: How can someone whose name is Okechukwu, Amaechi, Nwankwo, Okpara, Adanma, Ulunma, turn around to say he or she is not Igbo?
THE President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwụ (Ahaejịagamba) has advised the Ikwerre people in Rivers state to desist from denying their Igbo ancestry, saying that their forebears defended and protected their Igbo origin.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Ben Osuagwu, said Chief Iwuanyanwu made the statement when he led the National Executive Committee of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization  to the country home of one of the founding fathers of Ohanaeze Late Chief Emmanuel Aguma at Ogbum nu Abali, Ịkwere, Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, whose wife, Hannah Aguma celebrated her 85th birthday recently.
The Ohanaeze president -general stated that Late Emmanuel Aguma who hailed from Ikwerre was among the foremost leaders that drafted and set up Ohanaeze Ndị-Ịgbo to ensure that Ndị-Ịgbo wherever they are speak with one voice and are protected.
He said that Late Emmanuel Aguma believed strongly in Ohanaeze Ndị-Ịgbo, and wondered why some people from Ikwerre and other Igbo speaking areas of Rivers State now deny their ancestral descent, which according to him, their forebears protected, defended discovered and cherished.
Chief Iwuanyanwu recalled that Late Emmanuel Aguma, Okogbule Wonodi, Chief Ellah and Obi Wali, were among the top founders of Ohanaeze Ndị-Ịgbo Worldwide, and therefore, advised the present crop of Igbo speaking areas in Rivers State to retrace their steps and toe the line of their fathers who believed that they were Ndị-Ịgbo .
He described as an absurdity a situation where someone whose name is Okechukwu, Amà echị, Nwankwo, Ọkpara, Adanma or Ulunma will turn around to say that he or she is not an Igbo person.
The Ohanaeze boss noted that all Igbo speaking people of Delta State believe that they are Ndị-Ịgbo, adding that those who were ceded to other states have been appealing to him to ensure that they rejoined their kit-and- kin in the zone.
He commended Hannah Aguma, who he described as an honest, steadfast, great woman leader on her 85th birthday anniversary.
Chief Iwuanyanwu recalled that Hannah Aguma was the woman leader of his Presidential Campaign team when he vied for the Presidency of the country.
The Ohanaeze Ndị-Ịgbo President General prayed God to grant her more fruitful years, while he commended the first son of the family Hon. Igo Aguma, for taking good care of their mother and other members of the family.
Responding, Hon. Aguma commended the Ohanaeze President-General for leading the NEC of the organisation to be with them at their mother’s 85th birthday anniversary.
Present to receive Chief Iwuanyanwu ahd his entourage, were Hon. Aguma, Rumundaka Wonodi, and some elders of the community.
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