The Unique Model, correspondent Lagos state
The 4th Ohanaeze Ndigbo Assembly meeting held at the Federal Housing Authority, Festac, Lagos, came alive with colour and excitement following the arrival of the President General of the Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State, High Chief Chukwudi Chinye.
His entrance, marked by cultural troupes dancing and singing his praises, was one of the highlights of the event. In this exclusive interview, he speaks on his plans for Ndigbo in Lagos, promotion of Igbo culture, and his assessment of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos leadership under High Chief Leonard Okafor (Oba Ojoto).
Excerpts:
Your arrival at the 4th Ohanaeze Ndigbo Assembly meeting added huge colour to the event. Can you introduce yourself for record purposes?
My name is High Chief Chukwudi Chinye, the President General of the Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State.
What are your plans for the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos?
My plan is to unite Ndigbo in Lagos, help the less privileged within my capacity, and promote Igbo culture and tradition, especially among our youths, so that when we retire, Igbo culture and tradition will continue to flourish.
How would you describe the leadership of Chief Leonard Okafor (Oba Ojoto) since he assumed leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State?
In fact, Chief Leonard Okafor (Oba Ojoto) is a true leader. If I have another name to call him apart from President of Ohanaeze, I will simply call him a leader. He is a man of his people and can sacrifice at his own expense to put smiles on the faces of Ndigbo in Lagos.
What plans do you have to promote Igbo culture and tradition in Lagos State?
I am not the first President General of the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos State. I will continue from where other leaders stopped and ensure that our Igbo culture continues to wax strong.
As you entered, various Igbo groups were dancing to welcome you into the event centre. What do you think attracted such a massive reception?
Well, I cannot say precisely, but if you are a man of the people, definitely people will like to follow you. When I turned back as I was coming in, I saw troops of people dancing behind me, calling my name and praising me, until I got to my table and sat down.
I will not say I am the best of all the Presidents General, but maybe there is something special they found in me that attracted them to me.
What is your major project for the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos State?
My plan for the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos State is to ensure we have our own land, where we will be holding our meetings here in Lagos.
In the next 20 years, many leaders will be retiring. What is your advice to youths on culture, and what plans do you have to bring Igbo youths in to retain the legacies of Igbo culture and tradition?
I will ensure I reposition the Igbo Speaking Community. Coming from the kind of family I hail from, we live a straightforward life and value integrity. I will leave a great legacy so that when I retire as President General, there will be something people will remember me for.
I will ensure that whoever takes over from me will have something solid to hold on to and continue the affairs of the Igbo Speaking Community.
No success without challenges. What challenges are you envisaging in your leadership?
We are facing a lot of challenges in Lagos State, but I will ensure they are handled. Firstly, unity — bringing Ndigbo together with one voice is my top priority — and others that I cannot list out here.
What is your word of appreciation to all who attended the 4th meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and how can Ndigbo in Lagos give more support to High Chief Leonard Okafor’s administration?
The only thing I have to say is that when you see a good leader, you do not need to be advised to appreciate and support him. I am promising Ndigbo that we will support the leadership of High Chief Leonard Okafor to take Ohanaeze to a higher level in Lagos.
I appreciate all Ndigbo who created time and energy to attend today’s meeting. I also encourage them to continue to attend regularly. The meeting will bond Ndigbo closer and help us understand ourselves better
High Chief Chukwudi Chinye’s presence at the 4th Ohanaeze Ndigbo Assembly in Festac was more than ceremonial, it was a statement of unity and renewed commitment to the Igbo cause in Lagos.
With a clear agenda centred on unity, cultural preservation, youth inclusion and securing a permanent home for the Igbo Speaking Community, his leadership promises to build on the legacies of his predecessors while charting a new course for Ndigbo.
As he pledged continued support for the Leonard Okafor-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between both bodies will further strengthen the voice, welfare and cultural identity of Ndigbo in Lagos State.