An Igbo business community is set to install businessman, Chidi Anyanegbu, as the first Mayor Ndi Igbo as part of efforts to address longstanding business conflicts and foster economic growth.
The Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Organising Committee’s chairman, Ifeanyi Agwu, disclosed at a press conference on Wednesday in Lagos that the investiture ceremony is scheduled in Lagos on December 16, 2024.
Agwu stated that the Coalition of Concerned Igbo Business Community and the United Igbo Elders Worldwide selected Anyanegbu because it was necessary to have an office mediating between Igbo businesses.
He stressed, “The conferment of Mayor Ndi Igbo is borne out of an urgent necessity that time was way overdue. The republican and enterprising uniqueness of Ndi Igbo has sometimes been misunderstood by some elements of our host communities. Consequently, relationships have strained to boiling points. Many times Igbo businesses have been challenged, provoked, harassed, and economically assaulted by some in our host communities, in and outside Nigeria.
“In some instances, lives and properties have been lost. Additionally, among Ndi Igbo, the number of business and transactional disputes is astronomical, and over 50 per cent of police and court dockets involve Igbo on Igbo.
“Concerned Ndi Igbo from all walks of life in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, over the past two years, have been strategising on how to curtail and arrest these situations that derailed love, unity, and progress of Ndi Igbo and Nigeria in general.”
Agwu explained that Mayor Ndi Igbo’s office aims to serve as a mediator-in-chief, addressing these challenges and fostering unity among Ndi Igbo.
He emphasised that existing religious, political, and socio-cultural organisations have not been equipped to resolve these issues effectively, prompting the creation of this novel office.
“Neither the religious leaders, the political leaders, nor the various socio-cultural organisations can intervene or challenge these anomalies,” he asserted. “It is against this backdrop that the Concerned Igbo Business Community and the United Igbo Elders Worldwide have selected Chief/Dr. Chidi Anyangbu as the bridge for Ndi Igbo in times of crisis.”
Agwu clarified that Mayor Ndi Igbo’s office is apolitical and focused solely on protecting and promoting Igbo business interests, saying, “The office does not endorse candidates or parties for political offices. It solely caters to the business interests of Ndi Igbo, interfacing with various societal organs to mediate and resolve disputes proactively.”
The Chairman of the Planning and Organising Committee, Tony Obinugwu, also spoke on the wider economic implications of the initiative, noting, “If Igbo prospers, the government will make revenue. You can’t make revenue where people are poor. The main aim of this project is to create sustainable wealth for Ndi Igbo and Nigerians in general.”
Obinugwu underscored the importance of a supportive structure for Ndi Igbo within the Nigerian context.
“Igbos can’t live in Nigeria in isolation,” he remarked. “Wherever an Igbo man resides, he should know that somebody has his back. The mayor will speak for you, fight for you, defend you, and protect you. That is the main objective of this office.”
The investiture marks the beginning of what Obinugwu described as “a total package,” including conflict resolution mechanisms and a complete operational structure to be rolled out nationwide. “This is not just about Lagos,” he said. “The collective interest of every Nigerian, wherever they live, will be prioritised.”
The planning committee chairman added that the office was not in contention with the socio-cultural and political advocacy group, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, and its president-general.
The organisers called for patience and support from the public, stating, “Concerns and objections are in order only because it is a worthy cause. We ask for patience and support as this initiative unfolds.”