Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Archbishop of Umuahia Methodist Diocese, Archbishop Raphael Chibuzor Opoko, and a Professor of African History at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, Prof. Moses Ochonu, will jointly feature in the November edition of the Ikengaonline town hall meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 27.
The duo will speak on the topical theme: “Alleged Genocide, Trump’s Threats, and the Propaganda against Ndigbo.”
They will also respond to questions on the implications of the controversial conviction of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for Ndigbo and the possible way out of the Kanu debacle.
This was contained in a statement by the Editor-in-Chief of the South-East-focused accountability online media platform, Mr. Uche Ugboajah.
The monthly meeting, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (WAT), will be co-anchored by U.S.-based prolific writer and medical doctor, Dr. Osmund Agbo, and veteran journalist and author, Dr. Chido Onumah.
Participants, according to the statement, are to join the virtual Zoom meeting via:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88966044636?pwd=eAhoopElIOmtU5Kmb9V23YLePV90Ft.1
The Meeting ID is 889 6604 4636, while the Passcode is 365618.
According to the statement, the virtual meeting will be streamed live on the Ikengaonline Facebook page, YouTube, and other social media platforms.
Archbishop Opoko is the incumbent Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Abia State. He is the Secretary General of the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops from Alaigbo for Peace and Justice. His advocacy for peace, social justice, and good governance has been consistent and unwavering.
Prof. Ochonu, on the other hand, is the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in History and Professor of African History at Vanderbilt University. He holds a PhD in African History from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management from Lipscomb University, Nashville, USA. His op-eds and essays have been published in TIME magazine, Maple Tree Literary Supplement, Chronicle of Higher Education, Global Post, African Arguments, among others.
Accomplished Igbo sons and daughters who are trailblazers in various fields feature in Ikengaonline town hall meetings to address issues affecting the Igbo nation and Nigeria in general.
The Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, took center stage at the October edition of the monthly show.
Nwanguma, a former National Coordinator of the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), spoke on the theme: “Nnamdi Kanu’s Continued Detention, IPOB and Insecurity in the South-East.”
Former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, who was the guest speaker at the August edition, spoke on “Party Platforms and the South-East Agenda in 2027.”
A distinguished Nigerian Army General, Major Gen. Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma (retd.), featured in the July 2025 edition, where he spoke on “Ndigbo and the Politics of 2027.”
Harvard-trained policy strategist, law and governance expert, and seasoned public affairs analyst, Dr. Sam Amadi, featured in the June 2025 edition. The former Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) spoke on the theme: “South-East Governors, JAMB and Tertiary Education in Igboland.”
Similarly, a former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Godwin Nwobodo, featured in the March 2024 edition and spoke on the topic, “Is State Police the Panacea to Insecurity in the South-East?”
The National President of the Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), Lolo Nneka Chimezie, was the guest in the February 2024 edition and handled “Saving Igbo Language from Extinction: What Must Be Done.”
Ikengaonline monthly town hall meetings are designed to discuss topical issues affecting the South-East zone of Nigeria in particular and the Nigerian state in general.
Nollywood megastar Anayo Onyekwere, popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK), featured in the October 2024 edition. The iconic actor spoke on “Rituals, Riches, and Realities: The Myths of Money-Making and the Dignity of Labour.”
Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Professor Joy Ezeilo, was the guest during the September 2023 edition.
The late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, featured in the August 2023 edition and spoke on “A New Era for Ohanaeze: Navigating Challenges, Embracing Potentials.”
Several other distinguished Igbo personalities have also featured in previous editions.
Former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, featured in the July 2023 edition, where he spoke on “South-East Insecurity Nexus: A Holistic View.”
Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies and Founder of Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Professor Greg Ibe, featured in the June 2023 edition, where he addressed entrepreneurship challenges in the South-East.
The Chairman of the World Igbo Congress (WIC), Professor Anthony Ejiofor, was the guest in the May 2023 edition, where he spoke on “Insecurity in the South-East: The Role of Nigeria’s Diaspora.”
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, was the guest in the April edition, where he handled “Improving Regional Economy in the Homeland.”
Renowned economist and Nigeria’s two-time Minister for Finance, Kalu Idika Kalu, featured in the March 2023 edition and addressed the topic: “Nigeria’s Incoming Government: Prospects & Challenges.”
Former Education Minister and current Chairman of the Board of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, was the guest speaker in the February 2023 edition, where she spoke on “Women in Politics, East of the Niger.”
Other eminent Igbo personalities have also featured in the monthly event since its debut in 2022.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was the guest speaker in the maiden edition in July 2022, while the second edition featured renowned political economist Professor Pat Okedinachi Utomi in August.
Former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; U.S.-based academic Professor Okey Ndibe; West African Regional Director, Ford Foundation, Dr. Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye; and multi-award-winning actress and Director of Communications, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Monalisa Chinda Coker, have all featured in different editions of the 90-minute show.
Ikengaonline is a South-East-focused online media outfit that aims to give voice to citizens of the South-East and parts of Rivers and Delta states, and to highlight the challenges facing the region.
It is a publication of the Ikenga Media and Cultural Awareness Initiative (IMCAI), a non-profit entity.
