The Igbo’s apex Socio-Cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Wednesday in Enugu urged the media to desist from publishing press statements from unauthorised persons on its behalf.
The organisation described the action by some media as unacceptable and embarrassing.
Addressing newsmen on behalf of its President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, said Ohaneze Ndigbo condemned the act in its entirety.
He spoke after the group’s National Executive Council meeting.
“Some Igbo youth groups issue statements in the name of Ohaneze Ndigbo surprisingly, journalists accept it from them in spite of the organisation’s disclaimer that they do not represent the interest of Igbo people.
“But we continue to see them in the press and the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo has made it clear that anybody has the right to belong to a political group or champion whatever interest.
“But using the name of Ohaneze Ndigbo is deplorable and despicable, especially on the issues they canvass.
“They do it for some selfish reasons and Ohaneze Ndigbo condemns that,” Ogbonnia said.
He further said the Ohaneze agreed to hold Igbo Day annually on every Sept. 29, adding that the committees for that had been inaugurated.
The president-general also said that another committee was inaugurated to harmonise some of the cultures in Igboland by unifying them into a central Igbo culture.
NAN
