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2007: Ndigbo finetune plans for presidency
IHEANACHO NWOSU, ALPHONSUS NWEZE and NKIRU
OKEKE, in Enugu
PROMINENT
Igbo and others yesterday stormed Enugu for the World Igbo Summit to take stock
of the ethnic group’s place in Nigeria even as they re-strategised for 2007.
Firing the first salvo, former
Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, in his keynote address,
charged Ndigbo to work with one accord under the umbrella of Ohanaeze,
their apex organisation.
Speaking on the theme Building Bridges
among Ndigbo and across other Nigerians Anyaoku, challenged Igbos to conduct
themselves and their affairs in a manner that will endear them to other
Nigerians.
Stressing the need for national unity,
Chief Anyaoku said that Igbo have demonstrated their capacity for national unity
through their movement and settlement to various parts of the country.
According to him "Ndigbo believe in
one Nigeria as the foundation of the country. There is need to give attention to
our national unity. We can strengthen the foundation. We can strive for a united
Nigeria, give justice and equal opportunity to all".
Presenting the summit theme: Ndigbo:
Challenges and Aspiration, former Minister of Health, Prof Alphonsus Nwosu,
called on Ndigbo to change their tactics to achieve the 2007 presidency.
He said Ndigbo must, this time
around, convey to Nigerians that they are serious to have a shot at the nation’s
top position.
"What we shall do will force the others to
take us seriously because right now other Nigerians do not take us seriously
anymore. This time around, let us strategise and organize more in private than
on pages of newspapers.
"Let our resolve to be unshakable and our
actions synchronized for maximum effect as we spun political parties that reject
our aspirations. Let us resolve that any of us who permits himself or herself to
wear or become manipulated into self destructive vice-presidential struggle must
be publicly rejected", he said.
Prof Nwosu called on Ndigbo to
avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the National Dialogue being
proposed by the Federal Government to seek restructuring.
Asking Ndigbo to organize
themselves properly, the former minister said the forum will afford the Igbo the
privilege of talking to people from other ethnic nationalities on one-on-one
basis, from where they would present their case for 2007 presidency.
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,
Prof Joe Irukwu, on his part, said that the summit will give Ndigbo the
opportunity to review their past, assess their present and in the process
determine where they wish to be and how to get there.
"The summit is therefore expected to
generate implementable programmes that represent the true aspirations of the
people and one that protects the interest of every level of our society," he
said.
Chairman of Ohanaeze’s Planning and
Strategy Committee, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said that the summit was a
convergence of all Igbos who have distinguished themselves in all fields of
endeavour.
He said for two days, the WIC is to last,
Ndigbo will lock themselves up to discuss and revisit their problems in
Nigeria,
"At the end of the day, Ndigbo
should be able to draw up a pragmatic agenda for the future. This should be an
agenda for enduring success, prosperity, peace and happiness".
Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara,
represented by his Special Adviser, Special Duties, Prince Obinna Okwuaka, who
also spoke at the occasion, challenged Ndigbo to come up with measures
that will foster love, respect and brotherliness among the people, stating that
these were the basis upon which all other future concerns of Ndigbo can
be achieved.
Other speakers were former Governor of
Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Governor Sam Egwu of Ebonyi State and
representatives of other Igbo organizations in Nigeria and overseas, as well as
Chief Rochas Okorocha, Presidential Adviser on Inter-Party Relations.
Others present at the summit include Gov.
Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State and his Deputy, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, Abia
State Deputy Governor, Dr. Chima Nwafor; Secretary-General Ohanaeze, Col. Joe
Achuzia (rtd), Igwe Eze Ozobu, former Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
President-General and other notable Igbos.
The summit is expected to end today.
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