James Umekwe elected CISA president

James Ogbuka Umekwe has been elected by the council of presidents of the Council of Igbo States in Americas (CISA) as the new president to pilot the affairs of the United States apex Igbo organisation.

Umekwe hails from Abam/Arochukwu LGA of Abia.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, CISA said its bylaw stipulates a two-year rotational presidency among Igbo speaking states in alphabetical order, and now the baton has returned to Abia.

The statement added that the change in leadership is usually ratified by its board of presidents.

Umekwe, a consummate civil engineer, takes over from Attorney Ozo Bobby Aniekwu (Enugu), whose tenure expired December 31, 2021.

The statement stated that Umekwe would be bringing his wealth of experience for the advancement of CISA.

“He is a graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede Nigeria, the University of Innsbruck in Austria and University of the District of Columbia in Washington D.C., bagging Bachelor and Graduate degrees in Civil Engineering. He is currently the Assistant Division Chief at the Maryland State Department of Transportation (MDOT) leading the Maryland State Truck Weigh and Inspection Stations Program,” the statement reads.

“His professional and public service background includes his memberships of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Association of States Highway Transportation Officials and Institute of Transportation Engineers.

“Prior to his election as President, Umekwe was the founder and President of Clarion Call Inc. in the United States, an organisation that caters for the poor and less privileged in rural communities, founder of Ogbuka Umekwe Hope Foundation (OUHF), whose Rock Medical Center, offers free medical and surgical care to the needy.

“His humanitarian network is exemplified in his partnership with the University of Toledo Medical Center, Ohio for the first historical Kidney Transplant in Southeast Nigeria and related services across hospitals in Umuahia, Lagos, Abuja, and Ogun state, among other centres.

“His long history of philanthropy, community building, and advocacy includes service as President General of Abia State Development Union in the Americas. (Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland) and co-founder and President of Abam National Organisation in the Americas.”

CISA said the new president pledged to work with the Igbo Diaspora and other relevant agencies in the advancement of Igbo cultural heritage across the globe.

“CISA’s determination and commitment to this cause has never been stronger and so, is the support for the new leadership,” the statement adds.

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our outgoing President Attorney Bobby Aniekwu for his accomplishments during his term.

“Congratulations to James Ogbuka Umekwe. We are thrilled by your new role and are confident you will continue the creative and thoughtful work CISA has accomplished in its growth. We do not doubt that you’ll make Ndigbo proud in your tenure.”