Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has inaugurated a Committee on the Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagements for National Development.
The committee, chaired by Professor Kingsley Moghalu, is expected to submit its final report and charter to the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, within two months.
Inaugurating the committee in Enugu, Azuta-Mbata charged members to approach their assignment with courage, creativity, wisdom and broad-mindedness.
According to him, the proposed charter must go beyond being a mere document and serve as a compelling blueprint that clearly defines the political, economic, social and cultural aspirations of the Igbo people.
He said the charter would promote equity, justice, fairness and inclusiveness in national governance, adding that the initiative marked a significant step towards articulating a unified and forward-looking framework for the collective aspirations of Ndigbo within the Nigerian federation.
Azuta-Mbata further noted that the initiative reaffirmed Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide’s commitment to securing dignity, security, prosperity and a just future for present and future generations of Ndigbo.
He described Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as a respected public intellectual known for his contributions to economic reform, leadership development and national discourse.
“With this background, Professor Moghalu brings to the assignment a wealth of experience from both public service and academia,” he said.
The Ohanaeze president-general also called on Ndigbo to actively support the process by engaging constructively with committee members, noting that the strength and legitimacy of the charter would depend on the depth of collective input.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Moghalu accepted the responsibility and assured Ohanaeze that members would diligently deliver on the mandate within the stipulated timeframe.
He said the committee would ensure a broad-based, inclusive process aimed at producing a unifying charter that consolidates the voices of Igbo communities at home and in the diaspora into a single, credible position.
