Sets up museum of Igbo history, honours award
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has hinted that plans were underway by the body to build a World Igbo headquarters in Enugu.
Chief Iwuanyanwu who made the revelation while presenting a keynote speech at the Ikengaonline town-hall meeting on Thursday, said that the headquarters, when completed, would contain a museum of Igbo history.
He regretted that there was no articulated history of the Igbo race, and vowed that Ohanaeze under his watch would bequeath such enduring legacy to the upcoming generation.
“At the moment, our history is so disjointed. We don’t recognise it. But I’m now building a World Igbo headquarters in Enugu. The headquarters will contain a museum of Igbo history.”
The Ohanaeze PG further said that the socio-cultural body was going to establish award of honours to celebrate accomplished Igbo sons and daughters including friends of Ndigbo who made contributions and sacrifices in the advancement of the Igbo cause.
“Before now, we were nonchalant about recognising our heroes. In fact, after the next two or three generations nobody may remember we had people like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe who enabled us get independence; Gen. Aguiyi-Ironsi who quelled a military coup; and Dr Michael Okpara who brought us to where we are today.
“So, Ohanaeze under my leadership has approved honours award. From now every accomplished Igbo will be celebrated.
“The awards will be in three categories – Heroes of Igboland, Distinguished Heroes of Igboland, and Grand Heroes of Igboland.
“We will also honour Igbo friends like Fajuyi who was killed with Aguiyi-Ironsi; the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero who rescued our people that ran to his house when Igbos were being killed in Kano.
“People like Effiong who was consistent with us through out the war. People like Margaret Ekpo, Edwin Clark, Pa Adebanjo deserve honour.”
“We want to show the world that Igbos don’t forget their friends .”
Chief Iwuanyanwu also said that the late Biafra Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Akanu Ibiam, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, among others fallen heroes would be honoured at the event coming up later this year to mark the World Igbo Day.
