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Tag: Ndigbo

  • Ndigbo close ranks

    Ndigbo close ranks

    The camaraderie was reminiscent of the February gathering. Then, two feuding camps of Igbo leadership came together. The factional leaders, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and Dr Ralph Obioha shook hands, eliciting a huge sigh of relief from the crowd.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha played a huge part in the reconciliation.

    That kindred spirit has been rekindled, and in the same place as the February peace meeting: Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    The Igbo have their umbrella organisation Ohaneze Ndigbo to thank for that. The body organised  its maiden Igbo Unity Forum where the ethnic group closed ranks.

    The gathering provoked emotions and genuine kindred spirit that had stimulated and guided the communal lifestyle of the Igbo. Political and religious sentiments were jettisoned and brothers had a heart-to-heart chat on the way forward.

    The Imo International Convention Centre (IICC), venue of the meeting, was filled to capacity as early as 8am.

    Different emotions swept through the electrified crowd as they waited for the arrival of the Igbo leaders. While some were optimistic that peace has been found at last, others nursed the fear that the effort may fail like previous attempts.

    But at last, judging from the quality of those in attendance and the goodwill messages of those who could not make it, coupled with the sincerity of the speeches made, it was obvious that a new Igbo, founded on unity and kindred spirit was born.

    One of the cardinal decisions reached at the end of the meeting that lasted into the night, was that Ndigbo should stop bemoaning their fate but should rise up as co-owners of Nigeria and one of the three largest ethnic groups and take their rightful position.

    They equally resolved to start thinking home by investing more in Igbo land than outside the region to develop Igbo land and create employment for their people.

    Apart from speeches and words of inspiration, the people also savoured the rich Igbo culture that many may have forgotten, especially the presentation of kola nut. From a distance, the flute sounded, tearing through the silence of the night and not a few of the ageing leaders bowed their heads in deep thought as the familiar sound reminded them of the good old days.

    Opening the stage for the historic speeches that characterized the night, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey, reminded the people that the meeting was critical towards finding new ways of meeting challenges confronting Ndigbo.

    He said, “We have come here today in a rare situation. For a very long time Ohaneze has been doing its best to be the mouth piece of the Igbo nation. Today is a special day because as a people we have decided to close ranks and address our problems by ourselves. For a long time we have never had this kind of meeting. We have had meetings of Governors coming together, traditional rulers coming together and Igbo groups coming together, to try to proffer solution to Igbo problems. Today I am excited to welcome all of you here.

    “Firstly, you may have noticed that for some time now, Ohaneze and Igbo people have been speaking with one voice. This is because peace has been midwifed and that was done in this very state, Imo State. The Governor of Imo state midwifed that peace. So today Ohaneze speaks with one voice.

    “Some people have been complaining rightly, but that is not why we are here today. I will tell you a simple story that reflects why we are here today. When the civil war ended nearly forty years ago, it was not a magic that we recovered with the pace with which we did, when the Red Cross was sending relief materials to our people again in the Refugee Camp because our people by their adventurous nature had gone to fetch for themselves, that is the Igbo spirit, that is the can do it spirit.

    “Gentlemen & ladies, I want us to emphasis our story. As a people you will agree with me that we are very adventurous people, we are achievers, look round you, we have made more gains than loses. Our strength is in the fact that as individuals we are great achievers and we hope that when we redirect this strength of ours we will be able to address the problems of our people”.

    He continued that, “today will mark the beginning of a new Ohaneze, a new Ohaneze that has the full support of our Governors, of our traditional rulers so that when we make a statement or speech the world will know we have come. We are going to bring hope to our people; our people will no longer cry because as a people we can solve our problems. There is nothing we put our minds to that we cannot solve, when you see Lagos the way it is, highly developed environment, the Igbo contributed about 30% of that development, the same in Abuja that means that if we redirect our energies we can build another Abuja in Igboland. That means we can build another Lagos in Igboland, and that is our new direction now.

    “What we want is that our people should not see any person as being responsible for any situation we find ourselves in. We will only be there if we accept it. We will put our feet down and put our heads up; we will rise to the occasion to solve our problems. Hope has come, that is the message we are bringing. Today, Ohaneze is having an ultra-modern complex courtesy of the Governor of Imo State and we thank him for that. We call on other Governors to follow suit so as to equip Ohaneze to be a formidable voice in the nation.

    ”Why is it that our people are investing in everywhere but home? Wealth is not wealth until it gets home says an Igbo adage. The governments in Igboland must come together to create that environment to attract our people. Those things they do out there let them come and do it here so that our young people will have employment and we won’t be begging anybody for employment, we can do it for ourselves”.

    In his speech, Chairman of the event and former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwaobodo, described the meeting as a process of self-discovery.

    According to him, “What we are doing today is very important, it is operation rediscover yourself because he that is rejected cannot reject himself. We have to rediscover ourselves. We have come to make a statement that we are major stakeholders in this country. If you go to Lagos, Alaba for instance is being occupied by the Igbos, anywhere you go to in Nigeria you have Igbo dwelling and occupying the place. Even in America the Presidential candidate of the Republican party, Donald Trump said that the Igbo should go because we have enough in our land.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Deputy hails Okorocha for uniting Ndigbo

    Deputy hails Okorocha for uniting Ndigbo

    Imo State Deputy Governor Eze Madumere has hailed Governor Rochas Okorocha for uniting Ndigbo to put their resources together for the development of the zone.

    Madumere said the governor’s directive was a step in the right direction.

    In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Uche Onwuchekwa, the deputy governor was elated by Okorocha’s effort, particularly reconciliation of factions in Ohaneze Ndigbo, which hitherto made the Pan-Igbo group a toothless bulldog.

    He described Okorocha as a visionary leader known for his love and sacrifices for the peace and unity of Ndigbo.

    According to him, the governor achieved same feat under Nigeria Peace Forum and other platforms.

    Madumere praised the parties in the peace accord, saying their sacrifices were by the Ndigbo and would be remembered by generations.

    The deputy governor noted that a united Igbo had the best opportunity to re-launch itself into a progressive place in Nigeria and beyond.

    But he regretted that Ndigbo controlled 30 per cent investments in other zones but had nothing on ground at home.

    Madumere said the effort of Igbo past heroes should not be allowed to waste.

    He called for a more united Ndigbo with new thinking, approach towards achieving a strong, virile, sustainable and self-sufficient economy.

  • Ndigbo in Isolo APC resolve crisis

    It’s cheery news that the crisis rocking the Igbo camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isolo Local Council Development Area has been resolved.
    The hatchet often precipitated by leadership tussle or greed among the leaders has been buried with the formation of a new group, United Igbo Group in APC.
    The membership is drawn from the existing Igbo Mandate in APC, Igbo Vision in APC and Southeast APC Forum.
    The mission of the group is to create focus and direction for Ndigbo in Isolo politics and ensure credible Igbo leadership among political players.
    It is also to discourage sycophancy and greed among the Igbo politicians in party matters.
    A statement signed by the interim chairman of the group, Pastor Ndubisi, O. Nwachukwu, said “the group cannot continue to watch selfish individuals to truncate the unity and peaceful co-existence among the Igbo in APC in Isolo LCDA. “We advocate that Ndigbo must live in peace with their fellow Yoruba politicians,” he said.
    It would be recalled that the Igbo camp of Isolo LCDA was engulfed by series of crises before 2015 elections. Former Governor Babatunde Fashola had brought various Igbo groups to form Igbo United Political Coalition (IUPC) soon after his election.
    The IUPC later split into two factions; with one holding meetings in Apapa while the other held its meetings somewhere in Agidingbi in Ikeja.
    Before the 2015 general elections, Fashola brought the factions together again but perhaps this was done in a haste which did not yield any political or electoral gain to APC. No doubt, these crises had always constituted political misfortune for the party.
    The statement further said that to resolve the crisis permanently, it must be agreed that there is a problem arising from the controversy of 2015 and seek for a way of bringing everyone on board as a family.
    It also said: “We, through this medium, passionately call on the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu through Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and State Chairman of the APC to wade into the crisis to avoid the sad experience of 2015 elections.
    “One danger or issue we must address in Isolo LCDA is caucus affiliations which has eaten deep into the fabrics of the party, where those in power believe strongly in winner takes all, dictating who should have what, not minding whether it is in interest of the party or not.
    “We also dissociate ourselves from any communiqué released at the purported June 18, 2016 Igbo stakeholders’ summit which was not all-embracing.

  • Industrialist rallies Ndigbo

    Industrialist rallies Ndigbo

    On a day people came from Enugu State to honour him in Anambra State, an industrialist, Chief Godwin Ezeemo urged the Igbo to unite for the region’s progress.

    Members of the Anambra State People’s Assembly (ASPA) in Enugu led by their President-General Ugochukwu Okoli were in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State to confer the publisher of Orient newspaper with an award for his efforts in poverty alleviation.

    ASPA, it was gathered, has over 1,000 registered members and 125 registered town unions from the 177 communities in the state.

    The group helps to coordinate   Anambra indigenes in Enugu State and beyond, as well as promote Igbo unity and selfless service all over the world.

    Ezeemo’s award by ASPA was not only for his contributions in poverty alleviation, but also job creation, philanthropy and determination for community development.

    Speaking with The Nation during the event, President General of the group Hon Okoli said Ezeemo was selected for the award because of what he stood for in Igbo land and his contributions.

    However, Okoli lamented that Anambra residents living in Enugu State were suffering untold hardship as a result of molestation and marginalisation from the Enugu indigenes, adding that as Igbo people is not supposed to be so.

    This, according to him, was because the people see them as a threat to their business, adding that the association was already building a civic centre in the state which, according to him, they see as an Igbo centre.

    Also, Comrade Mathias Ameke, who is the state chairman of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) in Anambra, told the group to start looking inwards in discovering who takes the state to Eldorado.

    Reacting after receiving the award from the group, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, said the award came to him as a surprise without having prior notice of the group’s plans.

    However, he decried the attitude of injustice and dehumanizing attitude which according to him, some Igbo indigenes suffer in their own land.

    He said good governance and think home philosophy among Ndigbo are the panacea to the Nigeria problems.

    Ezeemo, therefore, called for the promotion of Igbo unity, love and regional integration among the people of South East and part of South South despite their places of domicile.

    He maintained that unity among Ndigbo will help to curtail any form of internal insurrection and lay solid foundation for the generations yet unborn in every Igbo land.

    He thanked the group in Enugu state for the award, saying that such would spur him to do more for Ndigbo.

     

  • Finally, Ndigbo unite

    Finally, Ndigbo unite

    The two factions of Ohaneze, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, have united ending what seemed like an interminable feud between their leaders, writes OKODILI NDIDI

    They hacked and pecked at each other so long that few believed the two leaders could ever iron out their difference. But indeed they did. Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and Dr. Ralph Obioha, factional leaders of Ohaneze, have embraced each other, pledging to work together for the progress of their people.

    In the last few years, it was almost unthinkable for these two Igbo leaders to cross paths, talk less of sitting in one room to deliberate on matters of Igbo interest. As the gulf between them widened, so was the disunity among the people they led.

    The two factional leaders of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation have laid their differences to rest in the overall interest of the Igbo.

    It was indeed an emotional reunion as they hugged and patted each other fondly with tears of joy and relief rolling down their cheeks, while their equally relieved followers reached out to each other in the newfound spirit of unity and brotherhood.

    The journey to the reconciliation of the bitter crisis that had bedevilled the Igbo frontline group, which was a fallout of the general election of the body, was not a sudden flight but the product of the consistent efforts of the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who waded into the crisis to save the Igbo further embarrassment caused by the well-publicised leadership tussle.

    After the Ohaneze election, Igariwey and Obioha laid claim to the position of the President-General. All entreaties by concerned Igbo leaders and groups who felt that the crisis was an embarrassment to Ndigbo. But the two Generals stuck to their guns and rebuffed all entreaties for peace.

    They both set up their respective executives and worked at cross purposes with each other but after the reconciliation, Obioha accepted to drop his claim to the President-General of Ohaneze and accepted to work with and support Igariwey to succeed as the only President-General of the organisation.

    The reconciliation of the two factions had come at the end of a marathon meeting between the two leaders and members of their executive, as well as delegates from the states that make up Ohaneze, at the Government House Owerri which was presided over by the Imo governor.

    It was agreed that the tenure of Chief Igariwey be extended by one year, after which a fresh election would be conducted to elect new leaders for the body.

    All those suspended from the organisation in the course of the crisis between the two factions were also recalled, while it was also resolved that all the court cases occasioned by the dispute would be withdrawn.

    Thereafter, a 17-member committee that would see to the implementation of all that was agreed including the issue of election was set up, with Obioha as Chairman, while the five Governors of the Southeast will produce one member each.

    In his speech at the historic event, Governor Okorocha expressed joy that the Ohaneze family is back as one, ”there is peace now in Ohaneze.  The Ohaneze with Chief Igariwey as President-General is the umbrella body to champion the course of the Igbo.  Today, we have proven to the world that Ndigbo are their brothers’ keepers.”

    Okorocha continued that, “the President-General of Ohaneze will soon address the Igbo nation.  All Igbo must join hands with the Ohaneze leadership to move Igbo nation forward.  With this peace, we are going to see a new kind of support for Ohaneze.  The rest of the world will hear about the Igbo nation.  The jinx has been broken.

    “With this peace we are going to emphasize on the economy of the South-East rather than politics.  We shall make it, with God on our side.  The old things have passed away and behold new things are taking place.  And I want to commend all my brothers and sisters here for this peace in Ohaneze.  This is a new Ohaneze that will move the Igbo nation forward.

    “The governors will be behind the leadership and the entire NEC, so that a new song will be sung in the Igbo nation.  I commend the President-General for keeping the Ohaneze spirit on, despite the lack of support from the stakeholders.”

    Chief Igariwey and Obioha in their respective speeches noted that achieving peace in the leadership of Ohaneze and reconciling the two factions should be celebrated by all Igbo because according to them, the division had never augured well with the body and the interest of the Igbo in general”.

    They commended Governor Okorocha for ensuring that peace and unity return to Ohaneze, and assured that they would not let the Igbos down.  They said Ohaneze would now be occupied with issues that would boost the economy of Igbo land.

    The two Igbo leaders, while addressing journalists, assured that “the world would now know the Igbos better that they disagree to agree in the overall interest of the Igbo nation and her people”.

    Commenting on the development, Nze Ubani Ikwuruku, described it as a healthy development that will position Ndigbo at a vantage position in the current polity.

    He stated further that, “every Igbo man but at home and in the Diaspora will be gladdened by this news. It will galvanise other Igbo groups in finding solutions to the current challenges in the zone. Now we can now speak with one voice and we will be heard and respected”.

     

  • Ndigbo rally at foundation launch

    Ndigbo rally at foundation launch

    Thousands were at the launch of a socio-cultural platform in Awka, the Anambra State capital reports CHRIS OJI

    The huge turnout and the enthusiasm of attendees may underline the thirst and hunger for credible regional leadership. Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation of all Igbo, was fractured for years and therefore could not rally the people until its factions recently agreed to speak with one voice.

    That probably explained the high spirits at the launch of the Osisioma Foundation in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    A former governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, who spoke at the event, described the foundation as not only a blessing but also the vehicle that Ndigbo need to re-establish themselves as a world super power in commerce and education. He stated that Osisioma Foundation serves as a tool for the economic and political emancipation of Ndigbo, and enjoined the entire Igbo nation to support its cause.

    Addressing over 3000 participants at the 2016 re-union of members of Osisioma Foundation, he described the concept of Osisioma Foundation as unique and similar to those in America and other developed societies.

    He said, “I want to tell you that I am amazed with the crowd here, the huge attendance has signified that God has already blessed the mission and vision of Osisioma Foundation and its founder, Dr. Chike Obidigbo. Several foundations I know were established for political reasons, but the main objectives of Osisioma, from the documents available here, is to empower people, liberate our people from poverty and improve society as well as open up Anambra economy.

    He described Dr. Obidigbo as a rare gem in administration, commerce and industry.

    Speaking further, he said, “Because Dr. Chike Obidigbo, the founder of Osisioma Foundation has been involved in the manufacturing of several products and paying thousands of workers’ salaries, he is the best candidate that can govern Anambra State. To me and any right-thinking person, Dr. Obidigbo any day, any time, is very qualified to be Anambra State governor; let our people think positively.”

    Obi, however, re-assured the Willy Obiano administration of his support, adding, “Obiano’s success is my priority now even as we plan ahead”.

    Declaring the event open, the founder of Osisioma Foundation, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, stated that one of the mission statements of the organisation was to build an ideal society where peace and harmony, health and happiness of every citizen would be guaranteed.

    Obidigbo explained that Osisioma Foundation was also “committed to the economic, social and political development of our dear Anambra State, Nigeria and Ndigbo in particular”.

    He vowed to stand firmly against exclusivity in policy formulation and implementation, because according to him, “they represent modern forms of discrimination that feeds discontent, acrimony and voilence.

    “It is our belief that until everyone and every segment of the society is given a true sense of belonging and [is] captured in the scheme of things, the entrenchment of self-interest and bitter struggles for political power would continue, especially within our immediate environment, Anambra State.”

    Obidigbo who chairs Hardis and Dromedas, has his sights on 2017, calling on all men and women of conscience and goodwill, all their valued supporters and friends that have been clamouring for genuine change, to remain prayerful and unwavering as they jointly pursue the agenda of honest and quality leadership for the people of Anambra.

    Drawing from the Bible, the Osisioma Ndigbo, said, “Perhaps the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk had us in mind, when he declared: “The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak, and not lie: though, it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, It will not tarry. The just shall live by his faith”.

    In her paper, titled “Post-war trauma-a time to heal, the voice of a curious Igbo woman in the Diaspora,” a young Nigerian star in America, Miss Nkem Nwankpa, said that after leaving Nigeria as a teenager 18 years back, she began to romanticise the idea of returning to Africa, her sweet home.

    Miss Nwankpa, who noted that there was nothing as good as home, no matter the exploit of one in the diaspora, added that within the period, she would dream of her language with friends, eating her native foods, listening to local music being inspired by fashion and cultivating the land, but as an African living in the diaspora, she was guilty of not fully understanding the challenges of her people living on the continent, and she began to ask questions.

    The young girl from Iwolo Enugu State, however, observed that whenever she returned to her country, she always left with disappointment of the challenges of basic living, such as lack of running water, environmental waste, irregular power supply, bribery and corruption, the fear of armed robbers and kidnappers.

    According to Nwankpa, post-trauma stress disorder is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood” in fact, I would like to ask that we take some time to access the effect of the trauma experienced by those who lived through it, fought in it, witnessed people get hurt and die during such a g horrific time and what we can do socially, economically and politically to make the changes we need to thrive as a society.

    Presenting his paper titled “towards the economic, social political emancipation of the Igbo nation”, a former commissioner for information in  Ebonyi State, Chief Abia Onyike, expressed with joy that despite the absence of any secondary school within the Igbo nation by 1900, Ndigbo had remained a force in Nigeria’s education industry. Chief Onyike disclosed that although Ndigbo got their first secondary school, the Methodist College, Uzuakoli, in 1923, they had produced world class citizens, prominent among them were Olauda Equiano, the great ex-slave writer, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, the acclaimed doyen of African nationalism, Chinua Achebe the father of African Literature, Sir Akanu Ibiam, one-time president of World Council of Churches and Cardinal Francis Arinze, one of the catholic cardinals in the world.

    The former commissioner went ahead to recall that Ndigbo also produced the first vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kenneth Onwuka Dike and the first vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Eni Njoku, as well as produced the first Nigerian economist, Prof. S.G Ikoku and first African to obtain PhD in Mathematics, Prof. Chike Obi.

    For Ndigbo to continue to flourish, Chief Onyike submitted a nine-point recommendation for the emancipation of Ndigbo.

    Papers were also presented by the chairman of Osisoma Foundation, Dr. Nnanna Egwu, Chief. Emeka Raphel Nwike, Chief Gilead Okolonkwo, Miss Felicity Okolo, a youth development expert, as well as other speakers. Former commissioner for Agriculture in Enugu state , Dr. Emma Nwankpa, Arch bishop Augustine Nwodika,, former deputy governor of Anambra state, Ichie Okwuchukwu Ezeaku, Igwe Roland Odegbo, the Ogbogu of Nteje and Rtd. Col Geoff  Onyejegbu, Chief Maxi Okwu, chief Ikechukwu Abana, Chief. Mrs Chika Ibeneme and several other dignitaries.

  • Finally, Ndigbo unite

    Finally, Ndigbo unite

    The two factions of Ohaneze, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, have united ending what seemed like an interminable feud between their leaders, writes OKODILI NDIDI

    They hacked and pecked at each other so long that few believed the two leaders could ever iron out their difference. But indeed they did. Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and Dr. Ralph Obioha, factional leaders of Ohaneze, have embraced each other, pledging to work together for the progress of their people.

    In the last few years, it was almost unthinkable for these two Igbo leaders to cross paths, talk less of sitting in one room to deliberate on matters of Igbo interest. As the gulf between them widened, so was the disunity among the people they led.

    The two factional leaders of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation have laid their differences to rest in the overall interest of the Igbo.

    It was indeed an emotional reunion as they hugged and patted each other fondly with tears of joy and relief rolling down their cheeks, while their equally relieved followers reached out to each other in the newfound spirit of unity and brotherhood.

    The journey to the reconciliation of the bitter crisis that had bedevilled the Igbo frontline group, which was a fallout of the general election of the body, was not a sudden flight but the product of the consistent efforts of the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who waded into the crisis to save the Igbo further embarrassment caused by the well-publicised leadership tussle.

    After the Ohaneze election, Igariwey and Obioha laid claim to the position of the President-General. All entreaties by concerned Igbo leaders and groups who felt that the crisis was an embarrassment to Ndigbo. But the two Generals stuck to their guns and rebuffed all entreaties for peace.

    They both set up their respective executives and worked at cross purposes with each other but after the reconciliation, Obioha accepted to drop his claim to the President-General of Ohaneze and accepted to work with and support Igariwey to succeed as the only President-General of the organisation.

    The reconciliation of the two factions had come at the end of a marathon meeting between the two leaders and members of their executive, as well as delegates from the states that make up Ohaneze, at the Government House Owerri which was presided over by the Imo governor.

    It was agreed that the tenure of Chief Igariwey be extended by one year, after which a fresh election would be conducted to elect new leaders for the body.

    All those suspended from the organisation in the course of the crisis between the two factions were also recalled, while it was also resolved that all the court cases occasioned by the dispute would be withdrawn.

    Thereafter, a 17-member committee that would see to the implementation of all that was agreed including the issue of election was set up, with Obioha as Chairman, while the five Governors of the Southeast will produce one member each.

    In his speech at the historic event, Governor Okorocha expressed joy that the Ohaneze family is back as one, ”there is peace now in Ohaneze.  The Ohaneze with Chief Igariwey as President-General is the umbrella body to champion the course of the Igbo.  Today, we have proven to the world that Ndigbo are their brothers’ keepers.”

    Okorocha continued that, “the President-General of Ohaneze will soon address the Igbo nation.  All Igbo must join hands with the Ohaneze leadership to move Igbo nation forward.  With this peace, we are going to see a new kind of support for Ohaneze.  The rest of the world will hear about the Igbo nation.  The jinx has been broken.

    “With this peace we are going to emphasize on the economy of the South-East rather than politics.  We shall make it, with God on our side.  The old things have passed away and behold new things are taking place.  And I want to commend all my brothers and sisters here for this peace in Ohaneze.  This is a new Ohaneze that will move the Igbo nation forward.

    “The governors will be behind the leadership and the entire NEC, so that a new song will be sung in the Igbo nation.  I commend the President-General for keeping the Ohaneze spirit on, despite the lack of support from the stakeholders.”

    Chief Igariwey and Obioha in their respective speeches noted that achieving peace in the leadership of Ohaneze and reconciling the two factions should be celebrated by all Igbo because according to them, the division had never augured well with the body and the interest of the Igbo in general”.

    They commended Governor Okorocha for ensuring that peace and unity return to Ohaneze, and assured that they would not let the Igbos down.  They said Ohaneze would now be occupied with issues that would boost the economy of Igbo land.

    The two Igbo leaders, while addressing journalists, assured that “the world would now know the Igbos better that they disagree to agree in the overall interest of the Igbo nation and her people”.

    Commenting on the development, Nze Ubani Ikwuruku, described it as a healthy development that will position Ndigbo at a vantage position in the current polity.

    He stated further that, “every Igbo man but at home and in the Diaspora will be gladdened by this news. It will galvanise other Igbo groups in finding solutions to the current challenges in the zone. Now we can now speak with one voice and we will be heard and respected”.

     

  • Biafra: Southsouth didn’t betray Ndigbo

    Govement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) factional leader Solomon Ordu Chukwu has said contrary to beliefs in the Southeast, the Southsouth did not betray Ndigbo during the Civil War.

    Chukwu spoke in an interview with reporters. He said: “During the war, people said the Niger Delta denied Biafra. It is not true; the major betrayers of Biafra were even from the Southeast than the Southsouth.

    “People like Ojukwu’s second-in-command, Gen. Philip Effiong, fought for Biafra till the end. My father and many strong men of Niger Delta fought for Biafra. I’m a Biafran from Ikwerre extraction in Obio/Akpor council of Rivers State. I’m a true son of Niger Delta. Forget about the role of people like Ken Saro-Wiwa, but in the Biafra mainstream, many Niger Deltans stood to be counted. Today, they still support Biafra. Now, Asari Dokubo, Kalada George, Uche Okwukwu, among other great Niger Delta sons, support Biafra.

    “Before now, everybody was saying Biafra is for Ndigbo and Southeast, but today the story has changed; the people of Niger Delta have realised the need to actualise Biafra. Again, with what Uwazurike has done in shifting the leadership of MASSOB to the Niger Delta, everybody has also seen that Biafra is not the business of the Southeast alone. People have embraced Biafra and it keeps expanding more than what they knew.”

    Chukwu said MASSOB has embarked on sensitisation visits to all cities in the Biafran territories and also opened liaison offices. He praised the support of the people of Niger Delta for the struggle to actualise an independent state of Biafra.

    “Today, people from the former Eastern region and Niger Delta attend MASSOB meetings. Recently, we were in Warri, Delta State, where the people received us with a rousing welcome. They jubilated that this time, there will be no more dichotomy. There will be no divide and rule; that Ikwerre is not Biafra or Niger Delta is not Biafra. The former Eastern region and Niger Delta are working in unison to actualise an independent Biafra,” Chukwu said.

  • Ohaneze to Biafra agitators: Stop this madness

    Ohaneze to Biafra agitators: Stop this madness

    The apex lgbo socio- cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, has warned the south East, south south youths to stop the secession agitation, saying that it will never work.

    Rather, the body called on the youths to give support to the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari for him to have a look at the dilapidated roads in the zone.

    Briefing reporters Friday in Awka, the chairman forum of state presidents of Ohaneze in the seven Igbo speaking states, Elder Chris Eluemunoh, said the group would never support agitation of Biafra as being demanded by the youth.

    The seven states of Ohaneze included Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu,Imo, Delta and Rivers.

    Before now, the youths in the zone had held cities like Aba, Awka, Onitsha, Owerri, Enugu, Abakiliki, Asaba and Portharcourt hostage in the past weeks calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, Benjamin Onwuka and others by the federal government.

    The youths were doing the demonstrations under the aegis of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with few other members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) involved.

    However, the Ohaneze chairman Friday said that what the youths were doing could be described as pure madness, adding that it would have been a different ball game if they were protesting against the bad state of roads instead of agitation for Biafra.

    According to Eluemunoh, “Ohaneze as Igbo cultural group cannot support insurgency, we are totally against it and we will never support it.

    “Anybody that has any issue with the federal government should go for dialogue with the president and that is why we went for national conference, Nigeria is a one united country and we do not want any other.

    “I believe what the youths are doing is to call the attention of the president to see the infrastructural decay in the zone, this region has been abandoned and neglected and not by Buhari, but by previous administrations started by Olusegun Obasanjo which Goodluck Jonathan also tried to bring back.

    “Ohaneze is calling on the federal government to declare state of emergency in the zone on roads for purposes of infrastructural development and that is what the youths are saying, we believe and not secession.

    “Our president should forget what happened in the last election and Ohaneze is going to give him full support through prayers and other means and in making sure that Nigeria stays as one indivisible entity.

    “Therefore, the youths should stop such agitations for Biafra because Biafra died in 1970 and we are saying it again that Ohaneze will never support it,” Eluemunoh warned.

    However, the group said if Nnamdi Kanu and others who were spearheading such agitation had committed any offence, they should face the law, but if not, they should be freed.

    Furthermore, he debunked the allegation that the youths were being supported by top Igbo politicians, adding that if indeed they were getting any support from anywhere, it should be from outside Nigeria.

    He said they believed that such restiveness by the youths could stop if roads like Oba-Okigwe road, Owerri – Portharcourt road which Ohaneze described as the worst in Nigeria were fixed.

    “What they call agitation for Biafra is not in the dictionary of Ohaneze  Ndigbo and we will never give it a look in, what Ohaneze is saying is that president Buhari’s administration should be supported to move this country forward,” said Eluemunoh.

     

  • Re: Deji, Afenifere and Ndigbo Akure

    My last week’s article which came under the above title attracted a deluge of reactions. Issues raised have been diverse. But one thing that stands out from these views is that, all the facts to the Akure controversy have not been availed to the public. I said that much in the article under reference and my views have been reinforced by some of the contributions. Perhaps, lack of full disclosure accounted for the prominence which disrespect to the culture and tradition of the Akure people assumed on the matter.

    It is neither my intention to re-open issues nor to answer some of the questions that have been posed. But suffice it to say that at the centre of disagreement seems to be leadership and sundry fees at the Mojere market. The alleged disrespect is a fall-out of this misunderstanding. I have devoted this column today for some of the views of my readers. Please read on!

    You are entitled to your opinion. Have you forgotten the era of Jonathan when it was said that Lagos is no man’s land during the election period. Then, the Oba of Lagos was provoked. Which other tribe can try that in Igbo states? Ndigbo must stop it now. Nobody has monopoly of rascality. Don’t take Yoruba for a ride again. It will be resisted at all costs. 08094763002.

    I am surprised that you did not add in your write-up that Akure and indeed Ondo is no man’s land, the traditional refrain of the Igbo with which they insult their host communities wherever they go. But I want to remind you that other tribes in Nigeria live in Ondo peacefully without rancour. Why can’t the Igbo call themselves to order? Instead you are helping them to stoke the embers of disharmony to further provoke hostility with your pedestrian narrative. Very disappointing of you as a platform writer! From Dele Ogundele –Lagos

    You confirmed you do not have the details of the genesis of the disagreement between the Igbo and Deji, yet you went ahead to insinuate unfair treatment of the Igbo. The fact is that no one can expel any one from anywhere but everyone should conform to the rules and regulations of where one finds himself. If Eze Ndigbo is unable to control his people, he should be removed and replaced. 08033001942.

    In as much as your write-up is close to being objective, what the Igbo are doing in other clime can never be tolerated in Igbo land. The title of Eze Ndigbo outside Igbo land is an aberration. It should be dropped and condemned by all right thinking individuals devoid of ethnic consideration. 09036991185.

    There is nothing absolutely wrong with the Igbo having Eze outside Igbo land. The Igbo people should have (Ezes) outside Igbo land. Why should one million Igbo outside Igbo land not have an Eze? Who mandated the sending of the 10-man committee to Lagos? Were the Igbo asked about it? If those Eze at home really care about Igbo people, they would not have engaged in the dance of shame. From Reginald Ekeanyanwu.

    The last sentence of the second to-the-last paragraph cannot be right. We still read about persons in the Igbo speaking states who were banished from their own villages/communities for running foul of their culture and tradition. The Yoruba revere their Oba. Yes you are free to live anywhere in Nigeria. However, it behoves on us to recognize the original settlers/indigenes of those areas-their culture and tradition so as to promote peaceful co-existence. As visitors and migrants, we should not ride roughshod over issues people hold dear. Nation building and integration have remained a mirage if not, why do we take our notable dead back home for burial? 08034726625.

    What is your take on the Eze Ndigbo title holder telling the Deji that he cannot prostrate to greet him because he too is a king? He disrespected our king. From Seyi A. 08106140234.

    Your write-up is punchy, direct and well balanced. May this country never know civil war again! From Charles Emmanuel, Lagos.

    The simple answer to your argument is to ask you to name any Yoruba crown Oba in the eastern or northern part of this country. All you can get is the chairman/president of Yoruba residing in those places. It is an indisputable fact that out of the three major tribes in the so-called unity in diversity, the Yoruba is the most liberal and accommodating and this is the cause of her ordeal in the hands of others. If it is true that we are one entity, let us all imbibe the principle of do unto others as you would expect others to do unto you. From B I. Aguda Iloro-Ekiti.

    Good article but wrong conclusion. Why is it that the Igbo are the only people in Nigeria who feel that they are foreigners in their own country? Nigeria has been more than fair to the Igbo. Igbo should learn how to show respect to their hosts. Igbo should learn how to respect our culture in Yoruba land. They should learn to behave like Romans when they are in Rome. From Tola Mayomi.

    I think you got it all wrong. He issue is about culture and not that of indigene/foreigner. I lived in the East for 18 years and as a Yoruba man I dared not break kola nut while in the midst of Igbo elders even though I am an elder. It is the culture of the people and I respected that. The Igbo do not have a culture of kingship, we Yoruba people do. Why then should they come to Yoruba land with a strong kinship? What an insult and what an abomination? That is the issue. 07036869868.

    Check and cross check your facts before publication. There was never a time we were threatened with expulsion from Akure. Can a Sarikin Hause in Onitsha, Enugu or Umuahia put on beaded crown in any of those towns? Please advise the so-called Eze Ndigbo to adhere to the directive of the Ohaneze by adopting the title of Onyendu Ndigbo. In any case, the various president generals of Ndigbo in the various states outside Igbo land are enough as paramount Igbo leaders. From Dike

    I would start by commending your attempt at disabusing the minds of the people on the baseless allegation of disrespect and insubordination to the Deji of Akure land by the Eze Ndigbo, Gregory Iloehika and the abuse of Yoruba culture and tradition by the Igbo in Akure. I marvel at your sense of judgment because even though you did not and still do not have detailed facts on what actually happened, you have been able to at least, use your common sense in arriving at your opinion on the issue. If I may ask, how do we justify the decision of the Deji that only Akure indigenes will occupy the post of chairman in the Mojere spare parts market irrespective of the preferences of the traders? How does the rejection by the Igbo traders of the demand for the payment of N50,000 fee for any new apprentice mean disrespect to the tradition and culture of the Akure people? From Secretary Igbo community.

    The new Oba should not hide under other excuses to show his hatred for the Igbo. What offence did the Igbo commit for their leaders to be beaten up and disgraced in his palace under his eyes? The Ezeigbo was crowned in the same palace for the Igbo by the former Deji of Akure. Why the actions of the new Deji if not personal hatred for the Igbo?  Please let us call him to order. From Engr. Maduka, Igbo Political Union, Warri. .

    You are as guilty as the Deji. Which resources do you have in Igbo land that is not in Akure? 08033227983.