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New Page 7
The unity refrain
EMMA OGU, Owerri
THE just
concluded Igbo day celebration in Owerri, Imo State capital came at an
auspicious time when the political consciousness and collective struggle of
Ndigbo is gaining louder expression in Nigeria.
For Ohanaeze Ndigbo, under whose
auspices the yearly Igbo day celebration was marked, it was a major landmark for
Prof. Joe Irukwu-led leadership of the socio-cultural apex body as it was the
first to be convened by his regime since it came on board last January 31.
The Day was not only successful, but
Ndigbo came out from the event singing with one accord and resolving to be
the masters of their own destiny. The gathering equipped Ndigbo with new
political direction as it provided a formidable forum for the people to reflect
on their past examine the present for their future aspiration, in accordance
with the theme of this year celebration: "Itughari
Uche maka Odinihu.
Majority of Nigerians have come to agree
that Ndigbo have been badly treated in a nation they have sacrificed a
lot to build. All who spoke at the occasion in Owerri stressed that there is
need for justice and equity. But underlining the general belief and clamour for
equity and justice among Ndigbo is the need for unity among them.
The message of virtually every speaker at
the well attended occasion was that Ndigbo hold the key to their destiny.
Speakers were emphatic on the need for unity among the race. Alhaji Wada Nas,
one of the vocal elite in the North and a former minister was more explicit in
his speech at the occasion concerning the aspiration of Ndigbo for
political empowerment in 2007.
"Permit me to emphasise that if the
necessary mechanism has not already been put into motion, this gathering of the
Igbo should be the springboard to do so. In doing this, they must not allow the
costly mistake of 1999 to repeat itself and that of 2003, when the political
terrain was overcrowded with their sons, each holding a flag. These were flags
of disunity. What they now need is a flag of unity and focus," he said.
Ndigbo are
demanding one thing, to rule Nigeria in 2007 in the interest of equity, fairness
and justice. Prof. Irukwu, the Ohanaeze leader rationalised the demand in
his statistical analysis of political office holders so far. According to him,
the North has ruled the country for thirty years, by 2007, the South-West would
have ruled for 12 years but Ndigbo would have been privileged to taste
the position for only six months. "It is in the interest of unity and stability
of the country that a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction emerges in 2007," he
said.
Irukwu set the ball rolling for what could
be regarded as the mother of all clamours in the history of the Igbo quest for
political empowerment. His speech also set the agenda of the day’s speeches as
speaker after speaker not only sympathised with Ndigbo on their neglect
but called for a redress of the situation.
Adding his voice was Comrade Paschal
Bafyau, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress. He made it clear that
it was the turn of the Igbo to rule in 2007. "Unity of purpose is all that is
required by Ndigbo to pursue their legitimate aspiration in 2007. The
North East is not ready for it now because Alhaji Tafawa Balewa has gotten it
before. It is now the turn of Ndigbo, he insisted.
Corroborating his view was Mrs. Sarah
Jubril, a former presidential aspirant the Progressive Action Congress (PAC) and
one of the North outspoken politicians. She contended that if Ndigbo
should be united in their ambition they will achieve same. "Because of our (Nupe)
link with Arochukwu, we are very much concerned about the aspiration of Igbo
people. If they unite, Ndigbo constitute majority of Nigerians in
diaspora and they are doing well," she added.
Although the governors of the South-East
present on the occasion agreed on the Igbo agenda of 2007, there are still fears
over their commitment.
The fears arise from the events of 1999
when the governors abandoned the presidency clamour of the race and parted ways
because of their individual ambitions. Some Igbo prominent politicians also
abandoned the struggle to scheme for the second position.
The Senate President, Chief Adolphus
Wabara however, made it know to all that the issue of second and third
positions, namely Vice President and Senate President were all over. Wabara who
was represented by Senator Emma Anosike stated on the occasion: "This event is
to remind Ndigbo that all is set for the people of the race to take what
is theirs. We do not want number two or three positions this time around. They
are all over. Our aspiration is for the number one position".
Governor Chris Ngige believes strongly
that Ndigbo have produced many citizens who can offer quality and better
leadership to the nation. "Igbo Anambra will give total support to the project,"
he said.
For Governor Sam Egwu, all Nigerians are
looking at Ndigbo to see whether they are serious or they will fritter
away their opportunity again. Nigeria cannot exist without Ndigbo. It is
our turn and right. Ebonyi will lead in any commitment to actualise the project.
But I want to tell you that everyone is important in this project, both the
artisans and traders," he said.
Governor Orji Uzo Kalu of Abia State,
represented by Professor Chibuzor Ogbuagu, the secretary to the state government
(SSG) on his part said that Ndigbo taught the rest of Nigerians how to
live and how to be industrious. He reminded all that he recently hosted the
South East caucus in a meeting where the agenda was the 2007 presidency and
pledged his unflinching support to Ohanaeze in its present struggle to
enthrone the Igbo as president of the country in 2007.
Governor Chimaroke Nnamani represented by
his deputy, Okechukwu Itanyi toed the same line. "Enugu State is following the
Igbo in their ambition," he said.
Governor Udenwa crowned it all with a
religious song, calling on God to hearken to the voice of the Igbo. Earlier, he
had advised the Igbo to resist every attempt to destabilise the race. Chairman
of the occasion, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa also earlier told the Igbo that it is
in their collective interest to unite for the task ahead.
All the voices at the occasion spoke of the need for the
Igbo to unite to be able to achieve the goal of a Nigerian president of Igbo
extraction in 2007.
THE just concluded Igbo day celebration in
Owerri, Imo
State capital came at an auspicious time when the political consciousness and
collective struggle of Ndigbo is gaining louder expression in Nigeria.
For Ohanaeze Ndigbo, under whose
auspices the yearly Igbo day celebration was marked, it was a major landmark for
Prof. Joe Irukwu-led leadership of the socio-cultural apex body as it was the
first to be convened by his regime since it came on board last January 31.
The Day was not only successful, but
Ndigbo came out from the event singing with one accord and resolving to be
the masters of their own destiny. The gathering equipped Ndigbo with new
political direction as it provided a formidable forum for the people to reflect
on their past examine the present for their future aspiration, in accordance
with the theme of this year celebration: "Itughari
Uche maka Odinihu.
Majority of Nigerians have come to agree
that Ndigbo have been badly treated in a nation they have sacrificed a
lot to build. All who spoke at the occasion in Owerri stressed that there is
need for justice and equity. But underlining the general belief and clamour for
equity and justice among Ndigbo is the need for unity among them.
The message of virtually every speaker at
the well attended occasion was that Ndigbo hold the key to their destiny.
Speakers were emphatic on the need for unity among the race. Alhaji Wada Nas,
one of the vocal elite in the North and a former minister was more explicit in
his speech at the occasion concerning the aspiration of Ndigbo for
political empowerment in 2007.
"Permit me to emphasise that if the
necessary mechanism has not already been put into motion, this gathering of the
Igbo should be the springboard to do so. In doing this, they must not allow the
costly mistake of 1999 to repeat itself and that of 2003, when the political
terrain was overcrowded with their sons, each holding a flag. These were flags
of disunity. What they now need is a flag of unity and focus," he said.
Ndigbo are
demanding one thing, to rule Nigeria in 2007 in the interest of equity, fairness
and justice. Prof. Irukwu, the Ohanaeze leader rationalised the demand in
his statistical analysis of political office holders so far. According to him,
the North has ruled the country for thirty years, by 2007, the South-West would
have ruled for 12 years but Ndigbo would have been privileged to taste
the position for only six months. "It is in the interest of unity and stability
of the country that a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction emerges in 2007," he
said.
Irukwu set the ball rolling for what could
be regarded as the mother of all clamours in the history of the Igbo quest for
political empowerment. His speech also set the agenda of the day’s speeches as
speaker after speaker not only sympathised with Ndigbo on their neglect
but called for a redress of the situation.
Adding his voice was Comrade Paschal
Bafyau, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress. He made it clear that
it was the turn of the Igbo to rule in 2007. "Unity of purpose is all that is
required by Ndigbo to pursue their legitimate aspiration in 2007. The
North East is not ready for it now because Alhaji Tafawa Balewa has gotten it
before. It is now the turn of Ndigbo, he insisted.
Corroborating his view was Mrs. Sarah
Jubril, a former presidential aspirant the Progressive Action Congress (PAC) and
one of the North outspoken politicians. She contended that if Ndigbo
should be united in their ambition they will achieve same. "Because of our (Nupe)
link with Arochukwu, we are very much concerned about the aspiration of Igbo
people. If they unite, Ndigbo constitute majority of Nigerians in
diaspora and they are doing well," she added.
Although the governors of the South-East
present on the occasion agreed on the Igbo agenda of 2007, there are still fears
over their commitment.
The fears arise from the events of 1999
when the governors abandoned the presidency clamour of the race and parted ways
because of their individual ambitions. Some Igbo prominent politicians also
abandoned the struggle to scheme for the second position.
The Senate President, Chief Adolphus
Wabara however, made it know to all that the issue of second and third
positions, namely Vice President and Senate President were all over. Wabara who
was represented by Senator Emma Anosike stated on the occasion: "This event is
to remind Ndigbo that all is set for the people of the race to take what
is theirs. We do not want number two or three positions this time around. They
are all over. Our aspiration is for the number one position".
Governor Chris Ngige believes strongly
that Ndigbo have produced many citizens who can offer quality and better
leadership to the nation. "Igbo Anambra will give total support to the project,"
he said.
For Governor Sam Egwu, all Nigerians are
looking at Ndigbo to see whether they are serious or they will fritter
away their opportunity again. Nigeria cannot exist without Ndigbo. It is
our turn and right. Ebonyi will lead in any commitment to actualise the project.
But I want to tell you that everyone is important in this project, both the
artisans and traders," he said.
Governor Orji Uzo Kalu of Abia State,
represented by Professor Chibuzor Ogbuagu, the secretary to the state government
(SSG) on his part said that Ndigbo taught the rest of Nigerians how to
live and how to be industrious. He reminded all that he recently hosted the
South East caucus in a meeting where the agenda was the 2007 presidency and
pledged his unflinching support to Ohanaeze in its present struggle to
enthrone the Igbo as president of the country in 2007.
Governor Chimaroke Nnamani represented by
his deputy, Okechukwu Itanyi toed the same line. "Enugu State is following the
Igbo in their ambition," he said.
Governor Udenwa crowned it all with a
religious song, calling on God to hearken to the voice of the Igbo. Earlier, he
had advised the Igbo to resist every attempt to destabilise the race. Chairman
of the occasion, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa also earlier told the Igbo that it is
in their collective interest to unite for the task ahead.
All the voices at the occasion spoke of the need for the
Igbo to unite to be able to achieve the goal of a Nigerian president of Igbo
extraction in 2007.
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