INTERVIEW: Ben Ughamadu

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 spoke on the significance of the grand event billed for October 2004 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Oklahoma City. Here are excerpts:

The forthcoming Anambra state national convention being hosted by the Oklahoma state chapter promises to be a great event. Sir, kindly comment on the objectives of this 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.

To start with, this is the 3rd 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.

Kindly mention some of the notable dignitaries that are expected to storm the occasion.

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, 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

BRIEF BIO

Mr. Ben Ughamadu was born in Abagana to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ughamadu. He had his primary school education at St. Peters Primary School in Abagana and his secondary school education at Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School, also in Abagana.

He later 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. By dint of hard work and his commitment to African affairs, Mr. Ughamadu 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. He later held various management positions during his career in management.

In the last 10 years, Mr. Ughamadu has been a political activist involved in both the American and Nigerian politics. He is a member of the NAACP here in America. At various times, Mr. Ughamadu has held leadership positions in several political and socio-cultural organizations here in the U.S. notably Oklahoma Igbo organization. Prior to this, he was the Vice President of the Oklahoma chapter of the Anambra State Association, before being elected President in 2004, a position he has held till date.

Currently Mr. Ughamadu is a private entrepreneur. He still resides in Oklahoma City and is married with 4 children.

His hobbies include jogging, golf and writing.

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.

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 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.

Yes we are starting with a pilot project, which hopefully will be located in the state capital. I am optimistic that this program 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 councilors, 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

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 cooperation 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 cooperate 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.