The presidential colloquium organised by friends of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo to commemorate the end of his four-year tenure, which ends January 2021 has been postponed.
A press statement signed by Ike Abonyi and Alex Ogbonnia on behalf of the planning committee and the conveners of the colloquium announced that the event was postponed following the partial lockdown announced on Tuesday by the Federal Government as a result of the second wave of COVID-19.
The statement reads in parts, ”The colloquium was scheduled for Tuesday, January 5, 2021, in Enugu and the former Head of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had graciously agreed to chair the occasion.
The notable technocrat from the academia, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmad was to deliver the keynote address. Obi of Onitsha Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe was to be the father of the day while the South-East governors are the chief hosts.
”The speeches and interviews by Chief Nwodo as President General of Ohanaeze were compiled into a book and another technocrat and seasoned diplomat, Dr Godknows Ighali was scheduled to review the book which foreword is written by the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
”Everything was set for the great gathering, invites already distributed when the unforeseen arrived with the partial lockdown announced on Tuesday by the Federal Government following the second wave of COVID-19.
”The conveners have the option of using the webinar but the government specifically banned seminars and conferences and use of event centres.
”After due consultations, they decided to postpone the Colloquium to another day after the lockdown is relaxed.
”We, therefore, on behalf of the President General of Ohanaeze, wish to apologize to the guests and pray that they appreciate the fact that it’s an unforeseen situation. We hope to reach you immediately a new date is decided”.
