WORLD IGBO CONGRESS

The Secretariat, World Igbo Congress, Inc.
Sunday, September 2, 2007 
Communiqué
A communiqué issued by World Igbo Congress at the end of the 13th Annual Convention of World Igbo Congress held at Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI.  USA, from Thursday, August 30th to Sunday, September 2, 2007: 

World Igbo Congress (WIC ), Inc., the apex Igbo Organization in Diaspora held its thirteenth Annual Convention on Labor Day weekend (August 30 –September 2, 2007) at the Detroit Marriot Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan.  The theme of the Convention was Ka Anyi Dozie Ala Igbo (the Introspective Development of Igbo Land).
The three day Convention which was hosted by Igbo Cultural Association of Michigan (ICAM), WIC’s Michigan Affiliate, was attended by over one thousand Igbos who came from all nooks and cranny of the United States of America, Nigeria, Europe, Australia, South and Central America and Canada. 
For the first time in the history of WIC, three Governors of Igbo States, Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, Governor T.A. Orji of Abia State and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State were present in the same WIC Convention.  The Governor of Enugu State, Chief Sullivan Chime delegated his Special Assistant on Special Duties, Engr. Godwin O. Madueke to represent him.   
Also among the star studded audience that graced this year’s WIC Convention with their distinguished presence were the President General of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, the Senior United States Congressman from Michigan’s 14th Congressional District, Congressman John Conyers, Jr., United States Congresswoman from Detroit who is also the Chair of the Black Congressional Caucus, Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpratrick, the Former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, Senator Eze Ajoku and Senator Osita Izunaso to mention a few.
In his opening address, the WIC Chairman, Ichie Chibuzo Onwuchekwe, called for the appointment of a Coordinator for Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, the establishment of a direct link between WIC and Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, the establishment of a Review Committee to reposition Ndi Igbo within the Nigerian body polity, the economic development of Igbo Land and the unequivocal demand for the release of Chief Ralph Uwazurike and the other members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) as the hallmarks of this Convention.
Following presentations and deliberations during both closed and open sessions, the following resolutions were reached:
That a Master Plan shall be developed for the Igbo States.
That the deplorable state of schools and education in Igbo States shall be revamped to enable Igbo children acquire the necessary education, training and skills to compete in the 21st Century.
That Igbos in Diaspora shall be encouraged to invest in Igbo land.
That concerted efforts will be made by Igbo State Governments and Igbos in Diaspora to maximize the Igbo intellectual capital and the inherent economic resources to raise the necessary money for infrastructure.
That Ndi Igbo must become participants and not spectators in the enterprise called Nigeria.
That Ndi Igbo shall hold their elected officials accountable.
That Igbo State Governments shall establish benchmarks to turn ala Igbo around.
That Ndi Igbo in Diaspora and the Igbo State Governments have unanimously resolved that the Dr. Dozie Ikedife led Ohaneze Ndi Igbo is the one and only bona fide Ohaneze Ndi Igbo.
That Security of Lives and Property in Ala Igbo shall become of topmost priority to the Igbo States Governments.
That Igbo State Governors shall be encouraged to work in concert in the interest of Ndi Igbo.
That Igbo State Governments shall be encouraged to invest in the South East Development Agency for the purpose of infrastructural development of Igbo land.
That the involvement of Igbo Youths and their development shall be an integral part of WIC agenda.
That a new direction shall be employed in the Oji River Project to alleviate the plight of Biafran War Veterans.
That Igbo State Governments should develop a 2020 Vision to reassess and recast the position of Ndi Igbo.
That Creation of employment opportunities shall become a priority for Igbo State Governments.
That the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President  Umar Yar’Adua must immediately and unconditionally release Chief Ralph Uwazurike and other members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra. 
Ndi Igbo, at this 13th Annual Convention of World Igbo Congress, further resolved that all Resolutions reached at this Convention, during the Private Sessions and at the Plenary Session shall be implemented in record time.
Rev. Bishop George Akalonu conducted the traditional Sunday interdenominational Church Service in the memory of Igbos who were killed during the Nigerian Civil War and Igbos that have been killed recently, such as, Gideon Akaluka (beheaded by Northern Nigerian Shiite Moslems on December 26, 1994 in Kano) and Augustina Aregbunam, Ifeanyi Ozo, Chinedu Meniru, Isaac Ekene, Paul Ogbonna and Anthony Nwokike (murdered on June 8, 2005 at Abuja Apo Mechanic Village by Six Nigerian Police Officers of Northern Origin) and others.
The Convention concluded on Sunday, September 2, 2007, with the election of Chief Larry Udorji and Mr. Felix Nnaji as the new Recorder and Parliamentarian of WIC House of Delegates respectively.   The President of the 2008 WIC Convention Host Affiliate, Igbo Association of Tampa Bay, Florida, Mr. Emmanuel Mekowulu, is the new Presiding Officer of WIC House of Delegates. 

Chibuzo E. Onwuchekwe
Ichie Chibuzo E. Onwuchekwe, P.E.
Chairman, World Igbo Congress

Charles C. Chikezie

Charles. Chikezie, Esq.
Secretary General, World Igbo Congress

 

PROGRAM OF EVENTS
THEME: KA ANYI DOZIE ALA IGBO
(Introspective Development of Igbo Land)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2007

7:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast – Private Sample the World
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Registration and Distribution of Convention Paraphernalia Renoir, Command Rm + 3rd
floor Inner Circle
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Exhibitions Continue Ambassador Foyer
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Four Concurrent Symposia
Topics, Abstracts and Presenters are given in Section II of the Program (See Pages … )
1. Independent Power Generation in Igbo Land
2. Communication Systems (Including Fiber Optics Technology)
3. Railway Development for Igbo land
4. Youth, Family and Community Development
Joliet
Marquette A
Marquette B
Lasalle A
12:00 PM– 2:30 PM Lunch Break
2:30 PM – 6:00 PM Plenary Session/Town Hall Meeting (Melting Pot) The Chair Ichie Onwuchekwe and Secretary-General -
Coordinating). HOD Presiding Officer Mathias Mgbeahuru and Recorder Esther Ohen - Conducting
Presentations (Outcomes from Symposia, Hard core Igbo issues, WIC Integrity and forward thrust) by
• State of the Congress Address by the Chair (Accomplishments and Projections)
• Report By the President-General of Ohaneze Dr. Dozie Ikedife
• Reports by Igbo States Governors
• Report by the Igbo Traditional Rulers
• Reports by Delegates from Igbo States in Nigeria.
Vice Chair Joe Nzepuome and Secretary-General, Charles Chikezie, Esq to Coordinate
Ambassador Ballroom
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Leisure Time Up to you
8:00 PM – 2:00 AM Grand Finale: Banquet and Awards Night Ambassador Ballroom
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2007
Time Event Location
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Registration and Distribution of Convention Paraphernalia Renoir, Command Rm + 3rd
floor Inner Circle
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Main Event: Business Expo, intended to give corporate and individual participants exclusive access to
exceptional networking opportunities for potential partnerships in the development of Igbo land. It will present
new opportunities and possibilities from interested international companies in booth spaces to create awareness
for their products, technology innovations, and services that are relevant to the objectives of development of
Igbo land.
Business Expo (Chair Chief Theo Egbujor, Friendship Health care Systems; Principal Speaker: Dr. Stephanie R.
Dawkins, Senior Vice President of Volvo AB, Sweden,
ANEC Reception for Business Expo Participants/Board Members/Delegates /Convention LOC
Executive Council Meeting
Brulle A & B & Brulle Bridge
Brulle A & B & Brulle Bridge
Lasalle A & B
FRIDAY, August 31, 2007
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM Breakfast – Private Sample the World
8:00 AM – 5.00 PM Registration and Distribution of Convention Paraphernalia Continues Renoir, Command Rm + 3rd
floor Inner Circle
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Exhibitions Ambassador Foyer
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM FORMAL OPENING
1. Convention Resolutions by Affiliate Presidents
2. Formal Opening Declaration by the Chairman, Ichie Onwuchekwe
3. Motivational Speech: The future of Igbo land Begins Now - Atty Zik Obi
4. Guest Speaker “Igbo and African American Alliance: The Bridge to Black Economic, Social
and Educational Resurgence” by Carolyn Kilpatrick Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
Special Guests: The Mayor of the City of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick Congressman John Conyers, Jr. 14th
Congressional District MI
Ambassador Ballroom
2:30 PM Lunch break It’s a free World: Food Court
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM House of Delegates Meeting: Delegates Roll Call: The Recorder, Esther Ohen Michelangelo
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM Traditional Rulers’ Forum: Preservation of Cultural Values and Community Security Issues: Coordinators: Dyke
Achimalo, Nnaerika Okonkwo, Chief Austin Egwuonwu
Lassale B
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Leisure Time for non HOD members
7:00 PM – 2:00 AM Cultural Night This is a potpourri of presentations show casing the rich cultural heritage of Ndi Igbo. You must
come prepared to relax, enjoy good food and drinks and take time to chew and reflect on the outcome of the
business expo and the plans ahead
Plaza Hotel, 16400 J L
Hudson Dr, Southfield, MI
48075
Masters of Ceremonies: Charles Chikezie, Esq
Invocation:Invocation
National Anthems: Nigerian and American
Welcome Remarks President, Igbo Community Association of Michigan Mr. Mathias Mgbeahuru
Remark by WIC Chairman, Ichie Chibuzo Onwuchekwe
Dinner and Light Music
Special Keynote Speeches:
Resources for Rebulding our land: Dr. Anthony Ejiofor, Executive Director
Special Award Presentations 2007: Ichie Chibuzo Onwuchekwe:
Dance, Dance, Dance
Vote of Thanks Charles Chikezie, Esq. Secretary General
Floor Coordinators and Ushers:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2007
7:00 AM – 8.30 AM
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Breakfast – Private
Sight-seeing tours to Windsor
Sample the World
See Announcements
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Inter-denominational Service: Religious Leaders (Pastor George Akalonu, etc)
12 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch Break - Private
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM IGBO STATES GENERAL ASSEMBLIES: THE GOVERNMENTS AND THE PEOPLE
1. Abia (Moderators: Eddie Nwokocha, Dr. Landon Onyebueke, and Chief Cyril Nwaguru)
2. Anambra (Moderators: Engr. Mike Anunike, Dr. Chris Ulasi, Mr. Sylvan Odobulu)
3. Ebonyi (Moderator: Dr. Ken Igwe, Mazi Okike Nwankwo)
4. Enugu (Moderator: Dr. Bedford Umez, Dr. Kanayo Ubesie)
5. Imo (Moderators: Nze Gibson Chigbu, Mr. Chuck Chukwuemeka, and Clement Eze )
6. Delta (Moderators: Mr. Godwin O. Ohen,
7. Rivers (Moderators: Chief Francis Ella)
Cadillac A
Marquette B
Marquette A
Lasalle B
Lasalle A
Cadillac B
Cadillac B
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
5:00PM
Thereafter
WIC – Election of the 2007/08 House of Delegate Officers (WIC Electoral Commission)
Release of Communique by the Secretary General Charles Chikezie, Esq. and the Chair, Ichie Chibuzo
Onwuchekwe
Departures
Cadillac B
Cadillac B
Check your reservations
• 700 South Florida Ave
• Tampa, Florida 33602 USA
CONVENTION MARSHALLS
Ever heard of them in WIC circles?
THEY ARE YOUR FRIENDS. THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THE RELIEF FROM PRESSURE COMING OUT OF YOUR
PLACE OF ABODE COULD MAKE YOU WANT TO STAY IN THE HALL WAY AND CHAT AWAY WITH FRIENDS. IN
THAT SITUATION, YOU MIGHT LOSE SIGHT OF THE PROGRAMS GOING ON. THESE FRIENDS OF YOURS LISTED
BELOW, WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP YOU KEEP ABREAST OF EVENTS. THEY ARE VERY NICE AND ARE
COURTEOUS. THEY LOVE COOPERATION. SEE YOU IN THE MEETING ROOMS.
THE MARSHALLS
1. Malachy Okoro - New York
2. Mike Onuogu - Houston
3. Ugo Onyemaobi – Atlanta
4. Chief Cletus Chukwurah - California
5. Mr. Izuchukwu Eze - Kansas City
6. Mr. Primus Odili, Nashville
7. Mr. Arusi Nwarusi Obi New York
8. Nze Dan Onhyeagba, Atlanta
EVENT COORDINATORS AT THE BANQUET
Mrs. B.B. Akazie, Mrs. Ngozi Opara, Dr. Letitia Uduma

Past Chairmen/Vice and Secretaries of WIC



l-r Dr. J.O.S. Okeke 1st Chairman and Ken Okorie Esq. 1st Secretary World Igbo Congress

Elder Statesman Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani was a rallying point for Igbo Unity at Greenbelt MD USA

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