DIPLOMAN TIMES

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has used the presentation of a book marking Ohaneze Ndigbo's 50-year history to discuss institutional memory, leadership renewal, generational transition and the organisation's future relevance.

Otti delivered the speech at the September 22 public presentation in Ikeja, Lagos, of Agbaeze Ireke Kalu Onuma's book, “Ohaneze at 50: The Burden of Memory, The Politics of Relevance: A Critical Biographical Reflection of an Igbo Institution.” The governor framed the publication as an examination of memory, identity, leadership, responsibility and institutional relevance.

According to Otti, the book reviews Ohaneze's history, leadership transitions, internal disagreements, relationship with political authority and continuing effort to define its role in Nigeria. He said the work raises questions about institutional renewal and the relationship between leadership and the people represented by an organisation.

The governor particularly highlighted generational transition and the need for institutions to respond to younger people's aspirations, technology, innovation and the global Igbo diaspora. He used the author's iroko metaphor to illustrate the relationship between institutional roots and continued growth.

Otti said the book does not merely recount history but challenges readers to consider what remains undone and whether institutions are sufficiently responsive to contemporary conditions. He also described the publication as an opportunity for reflection as Ohaneze reaches its 50th year.

The event was a book presentation and speech rather than the announcement of a new state programme. The source records the governor's views and commendation of the publication, with the principal focus remaining the history, institutional role and future direction of Ohaneze Ndigbo.