Dr Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu on sunday was inaugurated as the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The inauguration which was held at old government lodge in Enugu on sunday during the Omeobi meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was attended by Mr. Peter Obi who is the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state and Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state.

Meanwhile, the governor of Ebonyi state who is also the chairman of south East governors forum, David Nweze Umahi, Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma and Abia state governor Okezie Ikpeazu who were absent at the meeting were represented by their deputies which includes deputies Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Barr. Kelechi Igwe Imo State Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku; his Abia State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu.

Other dignitaries at the meeting includes Enugu State Governor-elect, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah; former Governors of Imo , Chief Ikedi Ohakim ; members of the National Assembly; Ministers; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Chief Adolphus Wabara; former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo are among the dignitaries at the meeting.

In his inaugural speech, Iwuanyanwu expressed his determination to serve Igbo’s diligently just as he called on President Muhammadu Buhari release Nnamdi Kalu before the end of his tenure.

Iwuanyanwu who decried security situation in Southeast as a disturbing situation said “I believe that there is very urgent need for a Peace Summit in Igboland.

“I will therefore make a special appeal to Mr. President, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari GCFR to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu before the expiration of his tenure in office. Nnamdi Kanu is very crucial for any key discussion and it is not possible to negotiate any peace while Nnamdi Kanu is in prison.

“It is also important to note that the judiciary has discharged and freed Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It will be the joy of many Igbo people and Nigerians to see Mazi Nnamdi Kalu released from detention. There is also a report that his health is deteriorating. I feel it is important that he is released to have access to his medical doctors so that he does not die in the prison,” he said

On his emergence as President General, Iwuanyanwu said “I must frankly confess that I did not nurture the ambition to be the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; instead I had the ambition of becoming the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I contested for the Presidency on three occasions but I did not succeed. I took my loses in good composure knowing fully well that as a Christian all powers and promotion come from God. But today destiny has placed squarely on my shoulders the duty of leading the Igbos as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

“I therefore have a duty to valiantly defend Igbo course and I promise Ime-Obi and all Igbo people that by the grace of God I will not fail them. I have carefully examined our present circumstances and I have decided among other things to carry out the following assignments during my tenure: These are education, agriculture, industrialization, electricity, power generation, health,” he said

Iwuanyanwu also assured that additional state will be created in south East during his tenure.

He said “The South East is the only geopolitical zone with only five States in Nigeria. Several political conferences have recommended the creation of additional State in the South East to bring the number of States to six. So far this has not been actualized. I will make sure that during my tenure additional State is created for the South East”.

The PG also promised to establish Ohanaeze Ndigbo Investment Company

“I will take immediate steps to establish an Ohanaeze Ndigbo Investment Company. The equity of the company will be held by Ohanaeze Ndigbo States and not individuals. This company in addition to creating goods and services, will create employment opportunity and also be a source of funding for some of our projects,” he said