The forthcoming convention of the National Association of
Anambra State Indigenes in the United States of America (USA) scheduled for
Oklahoma City, promises to be a great gathering of prominent and accomplished
indigenes of the state and Nigeria in general. In this interview with ADEZE
OJUKWU, the President of the Oklahoma chapter of the association, Mr. Ben
Ughamadu, spoke on the significance of the grand event billed for October 2004
at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Oklahoma City.
Mr. Ughamadu was born in Abagana,Anambra State. He had his
early education at St. Peters Primary School in Abagana and Nnamdi Azikiwe
Secondary School, also in Abagana.
He came to the United States in the early 1980s and got his
bachelor’s degree in Management/Accounting at the University of Central Oklahoma
in Edmond, Oklahoma and eventually became the Activities Director of the African
Students’ Union of the University. After that, he went on to get his masters
degree in business administration at the Oklahoma City University where he
graduated with an MBA.
In the last 10 years, Mr. Ughamadu has been a political
activist involved in both American and Nigerian politics. He is a member of the
NAACP and at various times, has held leadership positions in several political
and socio-cultural organizations in the U.S. notably the Oklahoma Igbo
organization. He was the vice president of the Oklahoma chapter of the Anambra
State Association before being elected President in 2004.
Excerpts of the interview
Sir, what are the objectives of the
forthcoming Anambra national convention?
As you well know, the Igbo nation and in particular, Anambra
state have had numerous developmental and political problems requiring a
multi-pronged approach, such as economic, political and cultural empowerment and
resuscitation. This over-riding objective underscores the primary purpose for
organizing a convention of this magnitude.
Could you elaborate further?
To start with, this is the third annual national convention
in the U.S.A. Delegates are expected to come in from all over the United States
and its environs, as well as from Nigeria, Europe, and other parts of the world.
On the whole, we are expecting about 1,000 guests for the event, which is being
hosted at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Oklahoma City.
Who are some of the notable dignitaries expected at the
convention.
The Anambra State governor, Chris Ngige, Prince Arthur Eze,
His Royal Highness, Peter Anugwu, Professor Sylvanus Anika, Former
Auditor-General of Nigeria, Vincent Azie, and other notable Igbo political
leaders and technocrats such as, Chief Chris Uba, Dr. Theo Menakaya, Prof. Moe
Ene of Seton Hall University, as well as other notable Nigerians are expected at
the convention. Also expected to attend are the Governor of Oklahoma state, the
Mayor of Oklahoma City, and some notable Judges from the state of Oklahoma.
A convention of this magnitude obviously requires a lot of
financial commitments. Do you have any external sponsor?
No, we do not have any external sponsorship or grants.
However, we have a strong and committed membership made up of professionals such
as doctors, pharmacists, accountants and professors, as well as some economic
and political advocates who make available their professional expertise and
financial resources available to the association to help it achieve its goals
and objectives. We also welcome collaborations and financial support from
well-meaning Nigerians who are committed to the development of Nigeria and its
communities.
What are the major highlights of this event?
First of all, we are using this forum to initiate a peace
accord and to foster unity among all warring factions in Anambra state. This is
because no meaningful success can be achieved without peace and unity. We have
therefore appealed to all warring factions to sheath their sword and work in
unity for the overall progress of the state and the nation in general. Another
major objective of this convention is to tackle the health problems of our
people by finding ways to best make healthcare available to the masses. The
diagnosis, treatment and drug management of such diseases as high blood
pressure, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, eye disease and many others
commonly classified as Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) by the World Health
Organization (WHO), has become a big challenge to our health systems largely
because the people are un-informed and under-served. Here in the United States,
the welfare system is used to bring healthcare to the under-privileged
especially women and children.
Do you have a pilot project and where will the pilot project
be located?
Yes we are starting with a pilot project, which hopefully
will be located in the state capital. I am optimistic that this programme will
bring the best health practices to the people of Anambra state. The healthcare
project will involve the purchase of healthcare equipment for the diagnosis of
some diseases like blood pressure monitors, blood sugar meters, thermometers as
well as educational materials aimed at teaching simple hygiene, diet and
exercise and other healthcare issues as may be necessary and placing them at the
local government health clinics. The health and social needs of our people can
be tackled by simple education and adequate training of the healthcare workers
on the use of modern technologies that are now in existence. A lot of the
non-communicable diseases can be managed by making informed lifestyle changes
that involve diet and exercise.
We also wish to find ways to provide sanitary facilities,
food programs for the people, reduce the poverty levels and improve education,
especially at the elementary and secondary level. Let me also mention that the
association is planning to build an ultramodern computerized library that is
going to boost the literary levels of our people as well as meet their
information needs. This will be located at the state capital in Awka.
The common refrain among Nigerians in the US is that
government has failed to tackle the pressing social and economic needs of the
masses. In your opinion, how should the nation address the problem of poor
leadership and corruption in government at all levels?
Nigeria has been rated the most corrupt nation in the world
for four years in a row, and believe me, that kind of record is nothing to write
home about. However, this cannot be due to only a bad president, but from every
facet of governance. This is essentially due to a lack of accountability among
our elected officials and their cronies masquerading as political praise singers
including local government councillors, local government chairmen, state
legislators, governors, national representatives, senators, political parties
and the judiciary. If all these people performed their duties, Nigeria would be
an enviable country given our enormous human and natural resources. A lot
depends on transparency in government at all levels and effective policy
prioritization and implementation
Do you subscribe to the current agitation for an Igbo
Presidency in 2007.
Yes, I do support an Igbo presidency in 2007, because if we
say we are one Nigeria, every part of the country should have the opportunity to
rule. The North has dominated the nation’s leadership for too long. And most
recently it has gone to the West. So in all fairness, I think that come 2007,
the Igbo should be given the chance at leadership in Nigeria. However the zone
needs to work with all the factions and all other zones in the country in order
to present a candidate that is acceptable to the nation.
There seems to be so much rivalry and competition among
several socio-political organizations in the U.S., claiming to be working for
the betterment of the Igbo. As President of this forum, what are your views
about this?
We preach tolerance and emphasize the need for co-operation
and bridge building for the mutual benefits of the masses.
Having said that, I wish to state that we do not compete with other
organizations, rather, we co-operate with them for the betterment and progress
of our people. As the President of this association, we are open to all
well-meaning individuals and organizations devoted to the development of the
state, region and the nation in general.
