Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has hailed the emergence of Senator John Mbata as the President -General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Mr Mbata, who represented Rivers East zone from 1999 to 2007, emerged via consensus at the election. Mr Mbata was elected at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly meeting held on Friday at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu.

Mr Mbata succeeds Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, who was appointed to complete the tenure of the late Emmanuel lwuanyanwu from Imo State.

Mr Fubara, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi in Port Harcourt on Saturday, stated that Mr Mbata’s victory was a testament to his wide acceptance across the aisle.

The governor stated that the delegates’ votes showed confidence of members of the socio-cultural organisation in Mr Mbata’s ability to provide the needed leadership to move the Ohanaeze Ndigbo forward at this time.

Mr Fubara, therefore, extended his best wishes to Mr Mbata and expressed hope that he would succeed as he discharged the duties of furthering national cohesion, fostering friendly cooperation based on mutual trust and respect within the Igbo and among non-Igbo.

He said, “On behalf of the government and the good people of Rivers , I once again congratulate you and assure you of our readiness to work with you toward maintaining and preserving national unity and cohesion.’’

(NAN)