Igwe Okechukwu Leonard-Ezike, a businessman has emerged the Eze Igbo (the leader of the Igbo community) in Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Leonard-Ezike, who got 27 votes, defeated his rivals Mr Cyril Inaji with 17 votes and Mr Ameachi Stephen Ogbo, 12 votes in the election conducted recently according to Nasarawa mirror.
Addressing newsmen in Nassarawa Eggon, the new Eze Igbo assured the Igbo community in the area of his readiness to lead with the fear of God, to ensure peace and their overall development.
“My blueprint is to unite and ensure that Igbo people in Nasasarawa Eggon Local Government Area speak with one voice.
“The importance of unity and peace to societal development cannot be overemphasised; peace is priceless and non-negotiable. We must therefore embrace peace and tolerate one another.
“My priority is to promote unity and peaceful co-existence among Igbos and other ethnic groups in this area, the state and the country at large,” he said.
Leonard-Ezike also urged his subjects and other people to continue to take their business activities with all seriousness in order to excel in life and to continue to contribute their quota positively to the development of the area and the state at large.
The new Igbo leader assured of his readiness to operate an open door policy and to carry every of his subjects along while discharging their duties.
Leonard-Ezike called on Igbo residents in the area to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities, live in peace and tolerate one another.
He commended the Aren Eggon, HRH Dr Bala Angbazo, the Chairman of Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area, Mr Danlami Idris and other stakeholders in the area for accommodating Igbo people.
The new Eze Igbo promised that Igbo residents of the area would continue to support government’s policies and programmes at all times.
In an interview, Mr Paul Abuga, the Secretary of Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Council confirmed the appointment of Leonard-Ezike as the new Eze Igbo of the council.
Abuga urged the new Eze Igbo to ensure an inclusive administration while discharging his duties.
