Dr. Emmanuel Nweke Okafor, a distinguished son of Nteje and academic at Siam University in Thailand, has issued a heartfelt call to all Ndi Nteje, both home and abroad, to address the leadership challenges facing the town. In an open letter, he emphasized the need for a dual leadership structure involving both an *Igwe* (traditional ruler) and a President General to foster unity and sustainable development in the community.
In his message, Dr. Okafor highlighted the successful governance models in neighboring towns, where the *Igwe* serves as a unifying figure and custodian of culture, while the President General oversees developmental and administrative tasks. He argued that Nteje’s lack of an *Igwe* is hindering its progress, limiting political, social, and cultural opportunities, and affecting the town’s unity.
“The absence of an Igwe in Nteje means that we are losing out on vital opportunities that neighboring towns are capitalizing on. Our town’s progress is being hindered, and the unity that should be present in Nteje is slipping away,” Dr. Okafor stated.
While acknowledging the efforts of the current President General, Dr. Okafor expressed concern over leaving the town’s leadership solely in one individual’s hands. He urged all sons and daughters of Nteje to raise their voices and demand a fair, balanced, and inclusive leadership structure to protect the town’s future.
Dr. Okafor also warned against signs of intimidation and division within the community, urging unity and solidarity to overcome these challenges. He encouraged contributions from Nteje indigenes abroad, not only financially but through ideas and active participation, emphasizing the importance of global connections in today’s world.
“No single individual has the right to claim ownership of our town. Unity, peace, and progress should be our guiding principles,” he said, calling for prayers and collective action to ensure that Nteje thrives for the benefit of all its people.
Dr. Okafor’s appeal has sparked discussions within the community about the urgent need to address the leadership gap and the broader implications for Nteje’s development.