Engr. James Ogbuka Umekwe has been elected the President of the Council of Igbo States in Americas (CISA) to pilot the affairs of the United States apex Igbo organization for the next two years.
Umekwe, a consummate Civil Engineer from Abam/Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, takes over from Attorney Ozo
Bobby Aniekwu from Enugu, whose tenure expired on December 31, 2021.
A statement from CISA and given to Persecondnews, said the change in leadership has been ratified by its Board of Presidents.
CISA Byelaws stipulates a two-year rotational presidency among Igbo speaking states in Nigeria in alphabetical order and the baton has now returned to Abia.
The statement expressed the hope that Umekwe will be bringing his wealth of experience to bear on CISA for its advancement.
Umekwe 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.
His professional and public service background includes his memberships of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Association of States Highway Transportation Officials, and the 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 organization that caters to 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.
Umekwe’s 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, Abia capital, 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 Organization in the Americas.
Meanwhile, the new CISA President has pledged his commitment to work with Igbo in the diaspora and other relevant agencies in the advancement of Igbo cultural heritage across the globe.
He spoke shortly after his election and investiture as CISA president.
To this end, CISA said it is committed to this cause and support for the new leadership.
“Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our outgoing President Attorney Bobby Aniekwu on 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 have no doubt that you’ll make Ndigbo proud in your tenure,” the statement said.
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