By ALEX ENEBELI

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has appointed Afrinvest, a capital market investment firm, as its fundraising consultant that would boost its funding and make the organisation financially independent.

Sen. John Azuta-Mbata, the President-General of the group disclosed this during the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Imeobi meeting held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu on Tuesday, where he gave account of his one year in office.

He said that the partnership was designed to professionalise Ohanaeze resource mobilisation efforts, unlock new funding opportunities and move them away from dependency on political office holders for funding.

“To show financial sustainability and institutional growth, we have appointed Afrinvest as our fundraising consultant.

“Complementing this, is our resolve to build a professionally managed media architecture that will project our values, communicate our positions effectively.

“In today’s information-driven world, narrative control is not optional but strategic and commitment to the emancipation of our people, politically and economically, cannot be overemphasised,” Azuta-Mbata said.

On support for development in Igboland, the President -general said Ohanaeze had registered two companies namely, Alaigbo Investment Company and Ndigbo Development Foundation that would receive N50 million take-off grant before the end of 2025.

He explained his administration had been visibly engaged in critical national processes, including active participation in elections.

The president general stressed that the engagements had amplified their collective voice and positioned Ndigbo as a key stakeholder in Nigeria’s global social economic discourse.

Azuta-Mbata equally declared every last Sunday in January starting from 2026 as Igbo Thanksgiving Day, an initiative, he said, was from Igbo College of Archbishops, Bishops and Ohanaeze.

“This is being primed to be a platform for gratitude, for unity and for spiritual reflection every year.

“While we acknowledge how far we have come, we are even more cautious of how much remains to be done.

“Let us therefore move forward with unity of purpose, collective vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

“Today we shall build an institution of Igbos in the future generations,” he pledged.

Meanwhile, members of Imeobi commended him for his leadership style and what he was able to achieve under one year.

The retired Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, while commending him, expressed the need for Igbos to support Azuta-Mbata led administration.

He, however, advocated for Ohanaeze’s financial freedom rather than depending on governors.

He also urged the group to caution one Isiguzoro, who paraded himself as Ohanaeze President-General. (NAN)