By Ani Bassey
The Interim President of the Igbo Congress in Cross River State, Prince Raymond Atulomah says the organisation will help foster unity among Igbo Professionals in the state.
Prince Atulomah disclosed this in Calabar during a reception in honour of eight Igbo sons and daughters who were honoured by the organisation.
He said the organisation is not aimed at rivalling the Ohanaeze Ndigbo but to complement it.
“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 mobilizing Ndi Igbo to be able to enhance its fortunes well as create more opportunities for Igbo to achieve unity in the 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”, Prince Atulomah said.
He added that the Igbo Congress is a registered body worldwide with chapters in Abuja, Lagos, Texas, Germany and France.
He said prominent Igbo sons and daughters have travelled out to deliver lectures during the World Igbo Congress day held annually in Texas and the state chapter of the Congress would not be an exception.
He disclosed that the State Chapter would also organise annual lectures in collaboration with Aka Ikenga to enrich the Igbo Cultural Heritage.
Valentine: CLO calls on Nigerians to foster love, peace, unity
He commended the state governor Professor Ben Ayade for finding Igbo sons and daughters worthy of appointment and pledged to stand by him in his drive to industrialize the state.
Some of the awardees honoured during the occasion are 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.
The award was preceded by a Thanksgiving Service at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Akim Barracks where the officiating priest Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Richmond Diala charged Christians to imbibe the culture of Thanksgiving.
