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General News of Tuesday, 12 January 2021

Source: punchng.com

Buhari hails Obiozor’s election, Ekweremadu advocates unity

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, felicitated with Prof. George Obiozor on his election as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President wished the former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs a successful tenure and enjoined him to be a “unifying force beyond his immediate constituency.”

The statement was titled, ‘President Buhari congratulates Ohanaeze President-General, Prof Obiozor.’

The statement quoted the President as saying, “Given Prof. Obiozor’s rich background, especially, in international affairs and pan-Nigerian commitment, I have little doubt that his election is well-deserved and will serve not only the interest of Ndigbo, but also that of his fatherland.

“We need all hands to be on deck for this country to move forward in peace and unity.”

Also, the Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and a former president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, expressed delight in the election of Obiozor.

While they called for support for him from all Igbo leaders, they urged him to embrace all to move the Igboland forward

Abaribe in a statement by his media aide, Uche Awom, on Monday also advised those that contested the position Obiozor to accept defeat in good faith.

He applauded the emergence of Obiozor and Ambassador Okey Emuchay as the President General, and Secretary-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo respectively.

The statement added in part, “The new executive members are known for their consummate love for the Igbo race, particularly the President General who has been at the frontline in articulating interest of Ndi-Igbo.”

Similarly, Ekweremadu, who is also the leader of the South-East caucus in the Senate urged the Ndigbo to pray for the new leadership.

He enjoined Obiozor and his team to note that more than ever before, “Ndigbo needed to be together in order to speak with one voice.”

Ekweremadu, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Uche Anichukwu, on Monday described Obiozor as a man of “uncommon pedigree, unimpeachable integrity as well as a bridge-builder with national and international clout and appeal”.