The former senator representing Rivers East at the National Assembly, John Mbata, has emerged as the new president-general of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Mr Mbata was elected at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly meeting, which was held on Friday at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu.

With the election, Mr Mbata would succeed Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, who was appointed to complete the tenure of the late Emmanuel lwuanyanwu from Imo state.

He was elected by consensus in an election witnessed by the governors of Enugu, Imo, and Anambra States, as well as Senators Chris Ngige, Ben Obi, Victor Umeh, and other Igbo dignitaries.

Okey Nwadinobi from Abia was elected the national deputy president, while Emeka Sibeidu from Anambra is the new secretary-general of the Igbo group.

Chidera Anieke from Enugu was elected national treasurer, Ezechukwu Ezechi from Imo state was elected national publicity secretary, and Okey Ugwu from Ebonyi state was elected national legal adviser.

The position of the deputy secretary general went to Delta and others.

Speaking on behalf of the new executive, Mr Mbata thanked the outgoing president-general for his leadership style and his ability to hand over and organise elections for the new executives.

While pledging to lead by example, Mr Mbata called on the governors in the states that made up Ohanaeze Worldwide for support and collaboration to move the organisation forward.

(NAN)