Chief Iwuanyanwu said: “The events of South East Summit on Security and Economy, and Igbo Day 2023 are very dear to Ndigbo and the South East geo-political zone. That is why we have decided to host both events concurrently to ensure massive attendance by our people.”
By Emma Ogbuehi, Owerri
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has dismissed the insinuation in certain quarters of imminent conflict following the decision of Ndigbo to hold both the Igbo Day 2023 and South East Summit on Security and Economy on September 28 and 29.
Instead, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said the decision was strategic and in the best interest of the region.
Iwuanyanwu said contrary to the fears of conflict, holding both events concurrently will “ensure massive attendance by our people.”
While the Summit, promoted jointly by the five South East governors will hold in Owerri, Imo State capital, the Igbo Day 2023, remit of Ohanaeze, will hold simultaneously in Enugu, raising the fears of possible clash or even conflict.
But on Sunday, Senator Chris Anyanwu, chairperson of the South East Governors’ Forum Summit on Security and Economy, said such fears are misplaced.
Insisting that hosting the two significant events concurrently does not portend any conflict, Anyanwu said both events are mutually complementary and have the approval and support of all the South East governors and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
As reported exclusively by TheNiche, Senator Anyanwu said: “For the avoidance of doubt, there is no conflict or clash between the South East Governors’ Forum Summit on Security and Economy and Igbo Day 2023.
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“The programmes of both events have been structured to accommodate the schedules of Their Excellencies, the South East Governors, the Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and all individuals who have roles to play in both events.”
Putting his seal of approval on Senator Anyanwu’s assertion, Chief Iwuanyanwu said though Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has declared September 28 and 29 sacrosanct for the celebration of Igbo Day, the Southeast Summit on Security and Economy is equally important to Ndigbo.
In a statement on Monday, which he personally signed, Chief Iwuanyanwu unequivocally stated that there was neither conflict nor clash between the 2023 Igbo Day celebration and the Summit.
The statement reads, “Attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been drawn to some misinformation capable of generating confusion regarding the concurrent hosting of Igbo Day 2023 and the South East Summit on Security and Economy. It has, therefore, become necessary to make the following clarifications for the avoidance of doubt.
“On the 28 and 29 of September, 2023, Ndigbo and the people of the Southeast geo-political zone will host two very important events in Owerri and Enugu, concurrently.
“The events are Southeast Summit on Security and Economy, and Igbo Day 2023. Both events are very dear to Ndigbo and the South East geo-political zone. That is why we have decided to host both events concurrently to ensure massive attendance by our people.
“Accordingly, the programmes for both events have been structured to accommodate the schedules of our governors and our eminent sons and daughters who are travelling from far and near to attend the events.
“On September 28, all of us will be in Owerri for the first day of the Summit, which starts at 10 a.m. By 4 pm the same day, the first programme of Igbo Day 2023, a public lecture, will be held at the Old Governors Lodge, Enugu.”
He added, “The Summit will continue in Owerri on Friday the 29th with breakaway sessions on security, economy, and related issues by only invited stakeholders, professionals, technocrats, and experts. While on the same 29th the grand finale of Igbo Day 2023 will continue in Enugu for all other Igbo sons and daughters.”
Insisting that September 29 is of historical significance to Ndigbo and sacrosanct for the Igbo Day celebration, Chief Iwuanyanwu further explained that the Governors of the South East, who are the hosts of both events, are working hand in hand with the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for the success of both events.
“We are in full agreement and concord to host both events concurrently and not on two different dates to ensure massive attendance by our people. We are taking advantage of the closeness of our states to one another in the South East to host these two important events concurrently. Every state in the South East is within two hours’ driving distance from each other. That is strong evidence of our common history, destiny and oneness, which these two events are re-enforcing,” he explained.
“It is, therefore, my pleasure to welcome all our invited sons and daughters, in-laws, friends and partners to both the South East Summit on Security and Economy and Igbo Day 2023 on the 28th and 29th of September, 2023.”
