LAGOS – The members of the Ohaneze Council of Igbo Business leaders have paid a courtesy call on the chairman of the South East Gov­ernors’ Forum and governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, last week in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

A statement by Denis Nwa­chukwu, executive assistant to council, said that the delegation comprising eminent Igbo business men and lady led by its Chairman, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, met with Hope Uzodimma as chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum to discuss the mandate of the council and to solicit the partner­ship of the Southeast governors Forum in achieving the objectives of the council, which is the rapid development of Igboland.

While presenting his address Ohuabunwa stated that the first assignment of the committee was to review the terms of reference given to it by Ohaneze and after a debate, it “became clear to us that what the Ohanaeze Ndigbo essentially wants us to do is to work with the governments in our region to support them bring enhanced economic development to Igbo land and change the situa­tion and condition of our people.”

He stated that the desire of the council is to “mobilize the en­tire Igbo business community in the country and in the Diaspora to support our governments to achieve and exceed their econom­ic and developmental goals for the region. But to be effective in doing this on a consistent basis, we must have an understanding of the eco­nomic visions and strategies of our governments.

“That is to say that we must share a common vision and have good testimonies to share with them. Investors and businessmen all over the world treat govern­ment promises with some skep­ticism but where existing inves­tors and business people provide evidential support to the govern­ment policies or pronouncements, confidence levels and believability rise.”

He urged the Southeast gover­nors to see and accept the council essentially as partners in the job of rebirthing Alaigbor, rebuilding the economy, restoring security, enhancing social cohesion and revamping the image and prestige of the people.

For his part, Uzodimma said he was impressed by the calibre of the delegation which included Chief Alex Chika Okafor of Chi­cason Group; Mr Frank Nneji of ABC Transport Group; Mr John­son Chukwu of Cowrie Assets; Darl Uzu of Enyimba, Lady Jo­sephine Nwaeze of News Engi­neering Economic City; Sir Chika Okafor, Dr Favour Iheanacho and Dr Chidi Okpaluba and among other distinguished Igbo business leaders and professionals.

The governor said that he was sure that Ohanaeze made a good de­cision in setting up the team, adding that he was impressed by the broad terms of reference and promised cooperation and support from him and his brother governors.

He used the opportunity to ex­plain that Imo State was ready for business and looking for those with good ideas for technology and gas exploitation.

The Ohaneze Council of Igbo Leaders is one the standing com­mittees established by the Presi­dent General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, on assumption of office. It was constituted on the 26th of January 2024 and formal inauguration was on the 27th of March 2024.