How to make Nigeria work was the theme of the 20th Anniversary lecture of Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) held in Enugu on Thursday. Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu and Chris Oji, in Enugu report that elder statesmen, political leaders and the youths at the event agreed that change of the country’s constitution, restructuring and other bold actions are required to make the country work
ELDER statesman and Minister of Aviation in the First Republic, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, and the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, were amongst distinguished guests that gathered this week at the 20th Anniversary of the Elliot Uko-led Igbo Youth Movement in Enugu to deliberate on the future of Nigeria.
Speaking separately on the theme of the anniversary, “How to make Nigeria work,” the two elder statesmen called for a change of the current Constitution. They faulted the 1999 Constitution, which they said was imposed on the country by the military, hence the mistrust among the different peoples of Nigeria.
Amechi, who just clocked 90 years, said: “Today, we are living in a country that is full of danger. We are living in a country where there is no peace; today we are living in a country where the majority live in fear.
“Today, we are riding in a ship that may tip over and sink any day; Today, we are living in a country where the rulers refuse to listen to the loud cries of the ruled; today, we are living in a country where the rich are getting richer and the poor getting poorer; today, we are living in a country where the corrupt and criminal elements are in control; today, we are living in a country that is ruled with a Constitution that is not the Peoples’ Constitution.
Explaining the genesis of the nation’s supreme law, he said, “In 1978, the military appointed a Constituent Assembly under the chairmanship of Chief Rotimi Williams. The Assembly produced a Draft Constitution, sent it to the military government and they edited it, removed what they did not like, added what they wanted and published the Draft Constitution as a Decree, by an illegal government that was never elected instead of putting the Draft to Nigerians for plebiscite.
“Again in 1998, the military appointed another Constituent Assembly and when they produced their result in 1999, the military edited it and published as a Decree. So the Constitution of 1979 and 1999 are not the Constitutions of the people of Nigeria. So, I say it loud and clear that Nigeria is today ruled as an elected illegality.”
He therefore suggested that for there to be permanent peace, the country must meet to renegotiate the basis of the union in a fraternal way.
“Those in authority are reluctant or unwilling to meet and find solution. The Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Niger Delta and Middle Belt organisations, along with Southern Nigeria Peoples Union, have all met and have been demanding a restructuring of the country. These elitist organisations cannot force or compel the powers that be to agree to restructuring, when the present position designed and crafted by their military leaders and handed over to them suits their purpose,” the nonagenarian posited.
Obong Victor Attah, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, in his submission said the greatest danger in the country today is the danger the country’s Constitution poses to it, adding that the Constitution has put us in a state of hopelessness of which we must find a way out.
He frowned at fears of a possible break-up of the country but expressed enthusiasm on the need to enthrone a Constitution to would reflect true federalism.
According to him, such a constitution must adequately treat the issue of resource control, security (state police) and youth development.
The former governor however made a strong case against regionalism, saying that we “should leave the states as the federating units. He also disagreed with the view that only four states are viable in the country and insisted that all the states are viable.
“I don’t know how they arrived at that. There are countries in the world that any state in Nigeria is better than. The only problem is misplaced priorities where one person in government will have over 35 paid assistants.”
Attah advocated for a new Constitution that has nothing to do with religion, and say no to unified salary structure because, according to him, “standard of living is not the same all over the country.”
Why I founded the IYM— Ugochukwu-Uko
Founder of Igbo Youth Movement, Elliot Ugochukwu Uko, who said at the event that his group is not violent as it believes in dialogue and meeting of minds, recalled that it was Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu that delivered the maiden IYM lecture in 1999, in a grand event chaired by the Second Republic Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Christian Onoh.
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Uko on Friday also told The Nation, why he founded the organisation. According to him, “It’s been 20 years of God’s grace and blessings all through. In spite of man-made obstacles along the way, God’s favour has sustained the IYM these past two decades. I was inspired to establish the IYM because there was a false notion that Ndigbo has been permanently silenced by the civil war defeat. I wanted to inspire others, especially the younger generation, to speak up and stand up for their rights. The elders were cowed by the trauma of the defeat of 1970.
“Quislings, vassals and collaborators occupied the space, masquerading as Igbo leaders. Only a righteous, upright, selfless and sacrificial movement could inspire the younger generation to stand up for their rights. IYM was designed to inspire the younger generation to defend their rights and protect their future.”
He said the journey has been traumatic. “It’s been extremely frustrating and difficult over the years. But the sacrifices have been well worth it. Today, the Igbo younger generation has finally found their voice. I am grateful to God Almighty, who created the IYM for the purpose which the good Lord himself ordained and supervises till date. I remain eternally grateful to leaders whom God used to mentor, guide and direct me over the years; great men, who found time to attend our, conferences, seminars and conventions over the years. They are leaders like Chief C. C Onoh, Chief Sam Mbakwe, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief MCK Ajuluchukwu, Justice Eze Ozobu, Prof Ben Obumselu, Chief Uche Chukwumerije, Col Joe Achuzia and Dr. Dozie Ikedife,” he said.
On the secrets of the success of the youth movement in the last 20 years, Uko said: “The IYM was ordained by God, whose mercies and loving kindness has been leading and guiding the IYM these past decades. And my little secret is actually keeping certain vows I made as a teenager. The Lord has been helping me to maintain these vows and I give God all the glory. I vowed many years ago, never to join any political party, never to accept any job or contract from any local, state or federal government. I didn’t want to lose my head and become carnal and banal. I pray to remain focused and humble. That’s the secret of the success of the IYM. I promised myself never to drift towards vainglory and pride.
“I wanted to leave a pedigree, to inspire others that it is possible to place group interests above self-interest. That a man can stand on the truth in an upright manner without stain, without reproach. That is the spirit behind the foundation and the activities of the IYM,” he said.
On how to make Nigeria work, Uko said, “Any Nigerian who pretends that Nigeria can survive without restructuring, is lying to himself.” He therefore urged the leadership of the country to embrace restructuring message as clamoured for by majority of Nigerians.
A delegation from Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), led by Alhaji Abdulsalam Ambani, also graced the event.
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