COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 22nd Convention of the World Igbo Congress.

Theme: “K’anyi mezie Ala Igbo” (Let’s Restore Igbo Land) 09/06/2016 

 COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 22nd Convention of the World Igbo Congress. 

Hilton New York JFK, New York, NY Sep 1 – 4, 2016 

 IsSUED September 6, 2016 

The executive council of the World Igbo Congress, on behalf of the convening affiliates, issues the following Communiqué at the end of its 22nd Annual Convention which held at Hilton New York JFK Airport, 144-02 135th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11436 from September 1 to 4, 2016. 

1. Upon meeting quorum (See list of the 12 of the 16 affiliates in attendance below), the WIC Chairman, Joe Nze Eto declared Convention open (Sep 2, at 12:00 noon). Dr. Marcel Ajah, Board Chairman of Igbo Organization of New York was the Convention chairman. 

CONVENING AFFILIATES 

i. Igbo People’s Congress Houston, Texas 

ii. Igbo Association of Nashville, Tennessee 

iii. Nneji Ndigbo of greater Cincinnati, Ohio 

iv. Igbo Progressive Union Atlanta, Georgia 

v. Igbo Organization New York, NY 

vi. Igbo USA New Jersey, 

vii. Igbo Association of Northern Louisiana, Monroe LA 

viii. Igbo Association of Tampa Bay Tampa, Florida 

ix. Igbo Cultural Association of Michigan (ICAM) Detroit, MI 

x. Igwebuike Association of Worcester, MA 

xi. Umunna Association Chicago, IL 

xii. Igbo Organization of New England

2. World Igbo Congress had the pleasure of having the following Igbo dignitaries at the convention: H.E. Dist. Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the DSP and no 4 citizen of Nigeria, Former Governor of Anambra State, H. E. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State H. E. Chief Willie Obiano, accompanied by 6 of his aids, Governor of Imo State, in the person of Dr. Samfo Nwankwo, Special Adviser on Igbo matters, Dist. Sen. Ben Obi, Dist. Sen. Obinna Ogba, HRM Eze Nri Igwe Obidiegwu O. Onyesoh, Hon. Edward Ubosi, Speaker, and Hon. Mathias Ekweremadu, Chief Whip, Enugu State House of Assembly and Barr. & Lolo Franklin Nwakor, Igbo Union, Dublin Republic of Ireland. 

3. Upon robust and in-depth deliberations of the following convention items: Igbo Unity; the threat of peace, security of life and property of the Igbo by the AK-47 carrying Fulani Herdsmen, mandatory Igbo history and language in elementary and Secondary schools in Igbo speaking states, and RMCE, the congress resolved as follows: 

i. WIC will work with the DSP to approach the SE Governors and Governors Nyesom Wike and Charles Okowa of SS to address pathways to return unity in the region. Upon restoration of unity among the Igbo, socio-economic and political cohesion of the region will receive geometric boost in a short time. 

ii. WIC will fast track her project of assisting vigilante groups at home land with resources to timely monitor approaching armed herdsmen, and have sufficient time to get help from willing and cooperating government agencies before any harm is visited on innocent citizens. 

iii. WIC will also work with the SE/SS governors to establish appropriately equipped Forest Rangers who will be deployed 24/7 to ensure that peaceful men and women at their farms are protected from AK-47 wielding herdsmen. Congress regrets that The Federal government has refused to date to disarm Herdsmen armed with assault weapons and committing documented mayhem in rural North and southern Nigeria. 

iv. Congress reaffirmed her 2013 resolution to work with Southeast and South-South governments to ensure that Igbo youths know and understand their history through a mandatory program of Igbo history and Igbo Language in all elementary and Secondary schools in the Igbo speaking areas of the States. 

v. Congress reaffirmed her commitment to the Regional Medical Center of Excellence (RCME) at home land; the project having received a boost from a donation of 50 Acres of prime land on Owerri Onitsha Road by the Nsopko Community in Ogbaku, Mbaitolu Local Govt. 

vi. Further to the Igbo Unity question, and upon vigorous pressure from homeland, Congress resolved to hold a mega Conference at homeland in March or April of 2017. 

4. Congress was unanimously in agreement that the WIC 2016 New York Convention was a huge success, exceeding their expectations. 

Dr. (Mrs.) Agatha Anosike  Secretary-General

Prof. Anthony Ejiofor  Executive Director

Joe Nze Eto  Chairman