An unnamed number of African Americans who traced their ancestry to Igboland, South East Nigeria, will be visiting their roots this year.
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on assumption of office last year, declared his determination to ensure integration of thousands of Americans of Igbo descent, who had expressed their desire to be part of the apex Igbo body. He disclosed at the just-concluded Igbo leaders’ retreat in Enugu, that plans were underway to host the pilgrims in the region.
“Many Americans who have discovered their ancestry from Igboland have requested to come for pilgrimage to Igboland. I sincerely recommend that we must make it possible for them to visit Igboland this 2024. I am going to discuss this matter with our governors and Igbo will be notified subsequently,” Iwuanyanwu said. The President General was in the United States of America last August, where he met with Americans of Igbo origin.
One of the best computer wizards of global acclaim, the African American, who developed the .com code for the internet emails, Dr. Emmitt McHenry, used the opportunity to finally reconnect with his Igbo ancestry.
The Chairman/CEO of Defence Manufacturing was inducted at an emotion laden ceremony organised by the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Committee on Diaspora, Chief Sam Obaji, at the Smithsonian Institute of African Museum in Washington DC, USA.
Iwuanyanwu presided over the event which also witnessed the induction of Gen. William E. (Kip) Ward (retd), who was the first commander of the U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany in 2007.
About 400 years ago, thousands of blacks were shipped out of the continent through slavery. Over the years, the black population in the USA and the Caribbean have grown into millions. Some of the African-Americans passed the information of their ethnic origin to their children before they passed on; and the strong message has transcended generations to the present day.
Information from the publicity unit of Ohanaeze said the great-great-great-great grand-fathers of McHenry passed the message of their Igbo origin to his father, who in turn told him and his siblings.
Daily Sun learnt that the internet wizard had validated the epistle from the fore-fathers with a DNA test and his Igboness became most manifest and wholesome.
Adorned in the popular Igbo attire (Isiagu), McHenry and wards could not withhold their joy for resolving an age-long poser as they received their certificates of Igbo ancestry from the Igbo leader.
Source: The Sun
