By Adadareporters
Dr Emmitt McHenry, an Afro-American world-renowned computer wizard, and retired Gen William Ward (Kip), the first commander of the U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, have been presented with their Certificates of Igbo Ancestry after establishing their Igbo ancestry.
McHenry, chairman and CEO of Defense Manufacturing, developed the .com code for the Internet. He, alongside Gen Williams, was inducted into the Igbo fame at a ceremony in Smithsonian Institute of African Museum in Washington DC, USA. The event was presided over by the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
About 400 years ago, thousands of blacks were shipped out of the continent through slavery, Ohanaeze’s national publicity secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, said, adding that, “Over the years, the black population in the United States of America and the Caribbean have grown into millions.”
He continued, “Some of the African-Americans passed the information of their ethnic origin to their children before they passed on; with the revelations about their ancestry transcending generations to the present day.
“Forefathers of McHenry informed him and his siblings that they are Igbo. The Internet wizard has validated the epistle from the fore-fathers with a DNA test and his Igboness became most manifest and wholesome.”
Chief Iwuanyanwu expressed joy that the Igbo ingenuity, audacity, resilience and the unique capacity to turn adversaries into diverse opportunities have remained irrepressible, adding that “the exemplary adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo is making positive impacts in all parts of the globe.”
Iwuanyanwu expressed delight that some of the African-American descendants ‘have traced their roots back to their Igbo lineage’, and commended ‘the willingness of the inductees to key into the current visionary dynamic of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in its effort to attain a glorious and enviable pedestal through transformative and innovative policies and programmes in Igbo land’.
Dr McHenry, General William Ward and Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze were appointed members of the Presidential Advisory Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide during the event.
Some of such stars in the US, according to Ogbonnia, are Prof Bart Nnaji, expert in artificial intelligence, robotics, geometric logic and innovations; Professor Philip Emeagwali, who developed a computer that can perform measurements of 3.1 billion per second; Professor Charles Ifeanyi Umeh, director of the laboratory for instructional mechatronics and advanced electronic packaging and laser processing applications; Dr Aloysius Anaebonam, a renowned pharmacist; Emeka Nchekwube, neurological surgeon; Cyprain Emeka Uzoh, patented for the development of electroplated interconnector structures on integrated circuit chips; T D Jakes, the famous American pastor and bishop of The Potter’s House.
The keynote speaker at the event, Professor Kingsley Muoghalu, tasked the Igbo to look inwards for economic development. A member of the Smithsonian Board of Trustees, Dr Margaret, presented a goodwill message on behalf of the Smithsonian Institute.
The event featured masquerades and cultural dances. It was organized by the coordinating chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the Diaspora, Chief Sam Obaji.
