Annual World Igbo Congress Convention holding at Newark Airport Sheraton,
Newark, New Jersey. This project started immediately following the conclusion of
the Nashville Convention in the year 2003. I am happy to state that members of
our team have given this project their best effort. Let the show begin.
You are the chairman of the Convention
planning committee. How would this convention be different from a typical World
Igbo Congress Convention?
Naturally,
every convention is different from the others in substance and style. The
remarkable material difference in this year’s convention is the substance of our
AGENDA for Ndi Igbo. Perhaps, this convention will go down in history as the
first time Ndi Igbo will leave WIC convention with a clear non-partisan
blueprint that addresses our socio-political and economic road map for our
people. The chairman of WIC, Dr. Kalu Diogu in his address to our people, will
unveil this road map.
What is the
theme of this Convention?
The theme
of this year’s convention is, "Ka anyi jikota onu", which means "let us unite."
This theme was born out of the need for Igbo unity. When we are united, we teach
each other, learn from each other and help reach other to reclaim our frontier
as trail blazers in every venture, we must get united and do so quickly. This
Convention will offer us the platform to begin the dialogue and evolve the
strategy to achieve this needed unity of purpose.
What is your position on Igbo Presidency?
On this
matter, I do not purport to represent the view of the Congress. Let me point out
that we have allowed the term "Igbo Presidency" to consume our collective psyche
and this perhaps has worked against our agenda for Ndi Igbo. The term connotes
as if we want a president for Ndi Igbo alone. I support a Nigeria President of
Igbo extraction, who is fair, trustworthy and acceptable to most Nigerians as a
leader. When we present such a candidate for election, all Nigerians will
embrace him or her. Thank God that we can talk about this subject in today’s
transitional democracy in Nigeria. Let us work to achieve a truly federated
Nigeria where power shifts because the electors believe that their leader is
fair, trustworthy and will do justice to all, and not because of other
proclivities.
What do you intend to accomplish in this
convention?
As I said
earlier, we want to leave this Convention united as Ndi Igbo with a clear
roadmap to address unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, security,
political restructuring, strategy for upcoming census, Sovereign National
Conference and hold our leaders accountable when they fail to execute our plan
in Igbo land.
Who are
speakers for this convention, what are you hoping to tell participants at the
conference?
There will
be numerous formal and informal speakers at this convention. Our goal is to
accommodate everyone. However, some of the key persons like the Obi of Onitsha,
Obi Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Prof. Joe Irukwu, President General of Ohanaeze, Dr.
Alex Ekwueme, former Vice President of Nigeria, Governor Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia
State and Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State. Various Igbo groups have also
confirmed their invitation to speak at this Convention.
How
effectively is the leadership working to address Igbo concerns?
The WIC
leadership is working very hard to make this Convention a success. You will
notice that there will be a large turn out for this convention because of the
hard work by the WIC board, cabinet members, national and local Convention
Planning Committees. People are calling us from as far as Australia and other
parts of Europe to make travel arrangements. It is a new day for Ndigbo and I am
encouraged by the response to our call for unity.
What are the
views of WIC on the Okija shrines controversy, SNC, Census, and Igbo Presidency?
The WIC’s views on the above matters will
be unveiled during the press conference at the conclusion of the Convention. I
ask all the press people to come and capture every word of it. It is a new day
in Igbo land.
What are
your concluding words?
In
concluding, on behalf of Igbo USA, Inc, the host affiliate and the members of
the Planning Committee, we look forward to seeing all of you in New Jersey. This
Convention will give Ndi Igbo the platform to discuss our major concerns and
agree peacefully on strategies to sit down with our counterparts from other
regions of Nigeria and develop workable plans for a united, peaceful and just
Nigeria for all.
