BEVERLY HILLS, May 10, (THEWILL) – A socio-cultural association, the Igbo Congress, has berthed in Cross River State with a pledge to unite all Igbo professionals.
The Interim President of the organisation, Prince Raymond Atulomah, disclosed this in Calabar after a thanksgiving and award ceremony held in honour of eight awardees.
Prince Atulomah said the aim of the association is not to rival the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state but to enhance the unity of the Igbos in the Diaspora and also promote good relationship with its host community.
He said: “Igbo Congress is not here to rival Ohanaeze which is the apex body of all Igbos.
“We are here to complement Ohanaeze and further help in mobilising Ndi Igbo to be able to enhance its fortunes well as create more opportunities for Igbo to achieve unity in Diaspora.
“The congress will render charitable and humanitarian service to members, groups of persons and organisations as deemed necessary irrespective of religion, nationality, ethnicity, race or class.
“We will also promote the good relationship between the Igbo and the Cross River State Government and respect the dignity of other nationalities.”
He added that the Igbo Congress was a registered body worldwide with chapters in Abuja, Lagos, Texas, Germany and France.
He also disclosed that prominent Igbo sons and daughters have travelled out to deliver lectures during the during the World Igbo Congress day held annually in Texas and the state chapter of the congress would not be an exception.
He commended the state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, for finding Igbo sons and daughters worthy of appointment and pledged to stand by him.
Some of the awardees honoured during the occasion were: Hon. Justice Onyebueke, Professor Rufus Okoro, Ugoji Nwabueze and Dr. Nancy Irek.
Others are: Chidiebere Onyemaizu, Ugochukwu Iheukwumere, Elder Chukwudi Samuel and Ide Chris Azuatalam.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
