Okorie advises on support for Igbo cause
From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu
WORRIED by the poor attendance of Igbo leaders at the launching of a book titled: A Survey of Igbo Nation, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has called on the Igbo to always support a common cause.
The book, which had the contributions of 37 scholars from various fields of study and was edited by Prof. G.E.k. Ofomata, was at the instance of the Africana First Publishers Limited, in collaboration with Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Addressing the gathering at the Protea Hotel, Nike Resort, Enugu, venue of the book launch, Okorie, who was drafted at the last minute to chair the occasion, berated the action of Igbo leaders who failed to honour the invitation.
"When I received the letter for this presentation, I accepted the responsibility with enthusiasm. I consider it a great honour and one of the highest points of my existence. If Ndigbo, particularly the elite that were invited had the same feelings that I had, there is no reason why they should not be here today. "It is a shame on Igbo land. It is a shame on the Igbo people. Indeed, we have a long way to go", he said.
He added: "I can assure you that these people no longer have conscience. They have sold their conscience and until they redeem themselves, they can no longer have the moral courage to face the people. It can never happen anywhere in this country. A Yoruba or Hausa man will make any sacrifice for the sake of the unity of his home state".
Okorie said the way forward was for the Igbo to come together and tell themselves the truth on what they want to enable them be counted in the country.
On the quality of the book, he stated that having read through the pages, he was convinced that any Igbo person who has pride for the race would be delighted reading it.
"Those who unknowingly and sometimes ignorantly attempt to disown or dilute their "Igboness" have a lot to draw and learn from this book", he said.
The APGA chieftain, therefore, challenged them to present themselves as perpetual and professional co-ordinators of interests outside Igbo land by imbibing the spirit of tolerance and love for one another.
In a message he sent through the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Noel Agwuocha Chukwukadibie, Governor Achike Udenwa eulogised the authors of the book. He added that the effort was a compendium of Igbo norms, culture and ethics and challenged the Igbo to pool resources together for a strong and effective participation in the national economy.
About N500,000 was realised at the launching with Abia and Imo state governments making donations of N250,000 each.
