The Izhi Tehu Foundation (ITF) has elected CSP Chika Philip Elom as Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BoT), while Hon. Solomon Ededa Uzoke emerged as Secretary following an election held on October 15, 2026 at Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The election, conducted during a well-attended meeting of the Board of Trustees, marked the transition of leadership following the expiration of the tenure of the foundation’s pioneer executives.
Elom and Uzoke were declared winners by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dr Simeon Nwube, after polling 11 and 12 votes, respectively, despite being unopposed candidates for the two positions.
Speaking before the election, the outgoing Chairman, Deacon Paul O. Ugo, expressed appreciation to the trustees for attending the meeting, describing it as another significant milestone in the history of the foundation.
Ugo urged the electoral committee to ensure strict compliance with the foundation’s constitution, particularly the provisions on equitable distribution of leadership positions among the three local government areas that constitute Izhi Clan.
He stated that the chairmanship position should be reserved for Izzi Local Government Area, while the secretaryship should go to Ebonyi Local Government Area.
The outgoing chairman also stressed the need to elect individuals of proven integrity and reputable character to steer the affairs of the foundation.
In his remarks, the outgoing Secretary, Ikechukwu Fabian Omenyi, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to complete his tenure without complications, describing the successful completion of his service as a source of joy and fulfilment.
He thanked the trustees for the confidence reposed in him and expressed optimism that the incoming executives would build on the foundation’s achievements and take the organisation to greater heights.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dr Nwube, outlined the modalities for the election and assured the trustees that the exercise would be conducted fairly and transparently.
He pledged that the committee would discharge its responsibilities without fear or favour, adding that the foundation’s constitution clearly stipulates that the chairman and secretary constitute the executive leadership of the Board of Trustees.
During the nomination process, Elom was nominated for the chairmanship by the National Vice-President, Chineme Nkwede, and seconded by Hon. Solomon Uzoke.
Uzoke, in turn, was nominated for the secretaryship by Rev. Fr. Dr Daniel Agara and seconded by the outgoing chairman, Deacon Ugo.
Although both candidates were unopposed, their nominations were subjected to voting by the trustees before the electoral committee formally declared them elected.
In his acceptance speech, Uzoke expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him and pledged his commitment to discharging the responsibilities of his office.
Elom, while appreciating the trustees for the outcome of the election, described the standard established by the foundation as exceptional and acknowledged the challenges associated with leading the organisation.
He, however, expressed optimism about the foundation’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to the development of Izhi Clan.
Quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela, Elom said, “Foundation is the easiest and fastest way of developing a community.”
He expressed appreciation for the foundation’s ongoing efforts to advance the interests of the clan and called for sustained commitment to its developmental objectives.
The National President of the foundation, Adm Igwe Christopher Agbo, congratulated the trustees on the successful conduct of the election and commended them for demonstrating what he described as a fraternal spirit throughout the exercise.
The emergence of the new leadership is expected to usher in a new phase in the administration of the foundation as it continues to pursue its objectives of promoting unity and development within Izhi Clan.
