Senator Mbata confers title, admits Okwara into Ime-Obi — New diaspora father backs Tinubu’s roads, demands amnesty, preaches peace with hosts.
Felix Mbata, Lagos state
The drums of Ime-Obi rolled, kola was broken, and history was sealed. Chief Livinus Okwara stepped out of the April 2026 Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ime-Obi meeting not just as a guest, but as Nna Ndigbo in Diaspora — dually approved, constitutionally confirmed, and handshakes by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Mbata.
“I am dually approved to be the title of Nna Ndigbo in Diaspora by President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Senator John Mbata at the meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” Chief Okwara told The Unique Model Magazine, his voice steady with the weight of the mantle. “Also, I am now member of Ime-Obi and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Senator Mbata, as the chairman of the whole occasion.”
The gathering, he explained, was no mere ceremony. “The programme was for the confirmation of the constitution of all they had since Ohanaeze Ndigbo started. All the constitution — that was what happened which attracted prominent Igbo leaders.”
A FATHERHOOD HE DIDN’T SEE COMING
The title caught him by surprise, but not unprepared. “I am impressed by the conferment of the title as ‘NNA NDIGBO IN DIASPORA’. I didn’t know that I will be confirmed by the titles as ‘NNA NDIGBO IN DIASPORA’ but, there was it. I have accepted it with whole heart to serve Igbo community in diaspora.”
His definition of duty is simple and sweeping: “The challenge means that Igbo man anywhere is my responsibility to take him or her as father of Ndigbo in Diaspora.” From Aba to Abuja, from London to Lagos — the father’s watch begins.
WHY IME-OBI CHOSE HIM: TRACK RECORD OVER TALK
Chief Okwara traces his rise to impact, not influence. “First and foremost I got to this position because of my positive impact to Ndigbo and other tribes. In Lagos State I make sure that we have at least a sense of belonging with our host community and other tribes. If we have poor sense of belonging with our host community it will be a big trouble.”
His credentials are practical: amnesty advocacy and skills for youths. “I requested for amnesty for the Igbo as given to the Rivers, so we can alleviate some of our problem. Also, my Rimax Computer, which I am chairman, have been organizing free training programme for Ndigbo and other tribes especially the youths. I always advocate for the programme of Ndigbo at federal level and state level, and authorities aware and willing to continue to support our requests when passed through appropriate channels.”
THE TINUBU DOCTRINE: ROADS, RESULTS, RECOGNITION
Okwara’s blueprint for Igbo youth empowerment is anchored on federal partnership. “What I have started to do, I am into it, is to support President Bola Asiwaju Tinubu, because he is a good leader that considers interests of all tribes.”
He points to asphalt as evidence: “Tinubu have started to do well for us, especially on infrastructure development. So the road he has rehabilitated — the River Niger, Calabar road which was to go to Calabar. He also, support roads to South Eastern states. Now every person that is coming from the East or going to the East are benefitting all the roads that is going to Rivers. Also the Benin, Ore road up to Lagos. Tinubu is still constructing Shagamu to Benin Road, we appreciate the good works of Tinubu.”
“Also, Tinubu is still doing well on economic development by ensuring that the states’ roads are well rehabilitated and reconstructed, so liaising with him will facilitate the progress of Igbo youths.”
And he contrasts eras: “The roads which PDP got involved after the PDP played around with those things without any justification, the government of APC took over to ensure that they finish the construction of those roads.”
MESSAGE TO DIASPORA: BELONG, BUILD, DON’T EMBARRASS
His first pastoral letter as Nna Ndigbo is blunt and fatherly: “My message as Nna Ndigbo in Diaspora is that they should have sense of belonging as they continue their hard working.”
He recalled Buhari’s old remark to make a point: “When Buhari was the head of state, he said to everybody, ‘I don’t know what the Igbo men wants.’ What he is saying is that in every state of this federation, the Igbo are more populated after their host community and state and enterprising.”
That spread, he argued, is political power waiting to happen. “Igbos are all over the federation except in Igbo land where they have the majority in their states, but other states the Igbos are most beneficiaries in all respects, so the implication is that there is possibility of Igbo man being governor in any state. Igbos develop any state they stay, look at Lagos State today, Kaduna. So, if Igbo man runs a political position it is very possible to win.”
But opportunity demands conduct: “Ndigbo should be kind to all their host communities; it will help them to be seen more as part of their community. Peace will bring progress in anything they are doing in diaspora. We don’t want a situation where Igbo man in diaspora will be embarrassing their host communities.”
WITH MBATA: FATHER AND PRESIDENT GENERAL, PEACE AND FACTS
Okwara sees his role as complementary to Ohanaeze’s presidency. “I am like the father of Ndigbo in Diaspora, I am the peaceful leader, whereas the President General Senator Mbata, he will find out facts of abnormalities that is existing in the various states. I am there to tell everybody to be patient that things will be okay, as father to son. To tell Ndigbo in Diaspora to be patient everything will be okay.”
He cited Lagos as proof of accommodation: “Go to various states you can see Igbos receiving big contracts especially in Lagos State. That shows that Yoruba are accommodative, and moreover our children are in diaspora school, doing business. Ndigbo should ensure they promote peace. Where one is staying and have wealth and resources should be protected by making peace.”
CONCLUSION: THE MANTLE IS HEAVY, THE MISSION IS CLEAR
Chief Livinus Okwara did not lobby for Nna Ndigbo in Diaspora. Ime-Obi found him, Senator Mbata confirmed him, and the constitution backed him. Now the work begins: free training through Rimax Computer, federal advocacy for amnesty and roads, and a daily sermon of peace to millions of Igbos who call another man’s land home.
His pact is plain: be a father to every Igbo abroad, be a bridge to every host community, and be a witness that Tinubu’s roads lead somewhere. From April 2026, the diaspora has a name to call. And as Chief Okwara puts it, “Igbo man anywhere is my responsibility.” The father has spoken. The watch has started.
The Unique Model Magazine
April 2026