A former national vice chairman (south-east) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fidelis Chukwu, has emerged as the new president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
In a statement, Alex Ogbonnia, national publicity secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, said Chukwu was named leader of the group during the Ime-Obi meeting held in Enugu on Saturday.
Chukwu replaces Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who died on July 25, 2024, after a brief illness.
“Nze Ozichukwu is to exhaust the Imo State balance of 27 days which ends on January 10, 2025. The emergence of Chukwu is as a result of a chain of catastrophe, which has visited Ohanaeze with the demise of Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, CON in 2022,” the statement reads.
“In order to complete the tenure of Imo State, the people of Imo State presented Chief Engr. Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu to Imeobi Ohanaeze for the replacement of the Late Obiozor.
“By the application of a doctrine of necessity, Iwuanyanwu was sworn-in on April 30, 2023. Unfortunately, Chief Iwuanyanwu died on July 25, 2024 and was buried on November 1, 2024.
“It is in line with the doctrine of necessity that the Imo State Chapter of Ohanaeze, led by Barrister C.J Ihemedu presented Nze Ozichukwu to the Imeobi Ohanaeze to exhaust the balance of four year tenure allotted to Imo State.
“The motion for the adoption of Nze Ozichukwu was moved by Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman Imo Council of Elders and seconded by Chief Simon Okeke (Ochendo).
“In moving the motion, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya stated that Ozichukwu is a cerebral thinker with sterling qualities. He informed the Imeobi that Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, KSM, KSS is a Nigerian management executive and entrepreneurship development consultant.
“He attended prestigious institutions like Templeton College, Oxford University, Harvard University (Harvard Institute for International Development), Cambridge Massachusetts. USA, University of Bristol’s School for Advanced Urban Studies (SAUS) and (School of Policy Studies (SPS), The University of Lagos, Ogun State University (CETEP), and Galilee College, Tivon, Israel and holds M.Sc, MBA, degrees, among others.”
Chukwu served as a director at Inland Bank Plc and managing director of Nigeria Merchant Bank (NMB) Plc.
