President-General of the Association of Ndi Eze Ndigbo in the Diaspora, Eze Gregory Iloerika has urged Igbo communities in the Diaspora not to bring shame to Nigeria from wherever they currently live.
Iloerika who said he just inaugurated the Senegal chapter of the association to take care of people of the South-East geopolitical zone living in the country, said his leadership remains committed to pursuing efforts that would further build peaceful and harmonious relationships with other ethnic groups across the country and even beyond.
Speaking with reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the President General said he would keep to the promise of uniting and harmonising every facet of relationships and ensure cordial relationships among various Igbo groups and other ethnic nationalities.
Iloehika assured that he would continue to sustain and improve the unity among Igbos, their host communities, and other ethnic groups within and outside the country.
While admonishing the Igbo community to be law-abiding in any country or state they found themselves, Iloehika reminded them that they are ambassadors of the Igbo nation in their various domains.
His words: “I came back from Senegal at the end of November. I went to Senegal to install Eze Ndi. I advised them to be law-abiding citizens. At the same time, they are our ambassadors.
“They represent Nigerians very well over there. And I talked to them to live in peace. And make peace with the host community. And they should not do anything that can bring shame to Nigeria.”
Also, Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Igbo Matters, Hon Francis Belonwu said Eze Iloehika remains a figure when it comes to the Igbo community in the whole world, not only in those states.
According to him, “Being the President General of Ndi Eze in the diaspora, it is only his authority that can install Eze anywhere outside Igbo land. This is still to portray the point that he remains the authentic Eze Ndigbo in those states and the only recognised Eze Ndi in the diaspora. And his journey to Senegal is not a surprise to us because he remains the only person who can make that kind of journey.
“And not when he got there, he was able to meet the Nigerian Ambassador to Senegal where he was able address him on the state of Igbos in Senegal. And he promised to look into anything that affects the Igbos in Senegal.”
Belonwu said all Igbos in Ondo State supported Governor Aiyedatiwa because of the way he included them in his administration.
He added that the Ndigbo in the state would always give their best to their host communities.
“Irrespective of your affiliation with any political parties, I carry every other person along because when it comes to politics, what we are looking for is the way Igbo people can sell goods and services. That’s how politicians sell human beings.
“Everybody is being carried along. Except someone who decides to put himself out of the circle. But my door is open to everybody to work with,” he added.
