KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

Medley of issues: No cohesive agenda

 ACHO ORABUCHI

 Dallas, Texas, USA

Issues that affect the day-to-day lives of Nigerians, particularly the Igbo, abound with an equally lucid absence of constructive and cohesive agenda for their solutions.

There are organizations that purport to represent the Igbo’s collective interest in relation to our dilemma in today’s Nigeria. However, it appears that the vehicles that would have been used to formulate and execute solution strategies are either broken or do not have intrepid drivers whose self interests are not primary. Unfortunately, we do have both broken vehicles and bad drivers—drivers who could not ferret out reasonable paths for their passengers.

Piqued by the situation in Igbo land and Igbo elites’ lackluster and blasé attitude toward their people’s affairs, Pan Ndi-Igbo Foundation USA, Inc. (PNF USA), held a town hall meeting recently to sanitize and sensitize Ndi-Igbo in America. The town hall meeting, moderated by Sir Ike Ginigeme, discussed a multitude of burning issues that are affecting the daily lives of the Igbo in Nigeria. The excerpts of the organization’s recent release on the outcome of the town hall meeting:

As a prelude to its Political Conference, PNF USA convened a Town Hall Meeting on March 24, 2006 at Grand Hotels, Dallas, Texas that attracted many Igbo policy-makers and think-tanks in the Diaspora. Among the issues that were discussed were the following: Igbo unity, Igbo traitors, census, education, corruption among the Igbo, and elections. Also the Igbo discussed about dilapidated infrastructure in Igbo land, commerce, political participation, rule of law and immunity clause, third term, and presidency of Nigeria.

Igbo Unity

Unity of the Igbo is paramount. It’s incumbent upon everyone to ensure that Igbo, no matter the geographic location of their place of abode, are united. We are one and we share the same history and bloodline. We should not only be proud of our heritage, but also be proud to identify ourselves as Ndi-Igbo no matter the environment or circumstances we may find ourselves. It’s high time we forgave and forgot the sins we committed against each other in the past. It’s imperative the we start now to build our future together; to restore the Igbo dignity and raise the consciousness of the people so that every Igbo person will be proud to identify himself or herself and with his people.

Igbo Traitors

Igbo traitors should not be allowed to go unpunished. They should face some consequences that would deter others from following their footsteps. There should be sanctions against those who betray the collective interest of the Igbo.

Ohanaeze

It is time to reevaluate our collective goal. More importantly, it is time to reexamine if Ohanaeze represents the conscience of the people; whether is still the vehicle to for the accomplishment of Igbo collective goal. If Ohanaeze is still the vehicle and is still viable, the question then is: Are the current drivers good enough to take us to our collective destination? 

Census

The recently concluded census may not give an accurate head count of Nigerians because inherent logistical flaws coupled with violence. Also, the instrument did not contain information on ethnicity and religion thereby making the whole exercise futile; it would end as a complete failure. As a result, public policy that is driven by the 2006 census would be equally flawed.

Education

We have to encourage our youth and women to value education. We believe that it’s our moral responsibility to discourage our youths from chasing after money and redirect them towards education. We, as a people, must de-emphasize the value of wealth and emphasize on the value and virtues of education, morality, and biblical teachings. We must institute curriculum at the primary level to emphasize on character education, which would help our children at upper grades, college years, and adult years. A race without the right education and values will perish!

Corruption

It’s our belief that it’s time we instituted sanctions against elected and appointed officials that convert public money into personal wealth. Consequences should be meted out to elected and appointed officials and contractors who divert public money to private use; those who could not complete jobs they’re contracted to do should face severe consequences. Ndi Igbo should start sanctioning some of her nefarious leaders.

Elections

Let the will of the people reign at all times. The Igbo should ensure that the electorates are informed and express their will. The will of the masses should not be circumvented. We should not experience the kind of fraud we saw in the 2003 elections again. Elections should fair and free. We encourage Nigerians to support Iwu-led INEC in its desire to conduct fair and free elections.

Infrastructure/Road

It’s sad that our people, especially in government, are overseeing the dilapidation of infrastructure in Igbo areas. Their inaction in the face of grim situation in Igbo land has made the equally culpable of crime against humanity. Many lives have been lost because of bad roads, hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. As our people seethe in poverty, a few individuals continue to loot public treasury without fear; they loot with boldness and alacrity.

Commerce

We demand that our people look into the policies of the federal government to ensure that the Igbo and their businesses are not targeted. Selective shutdown of Igbo businesses should not be tolerated. IBETO Cement Industry is not operational at the present time. Why is it so?

Political Participation

We should encourage the Igbo to participate actively in politics. However, we should realize the essence of politics—it is public service based on ideology and cherished principles. Party politics is crucial. No one should stay on the sideline to beg for crumbs. It’s our right to be relevant in Nigeria’s socio-political activities.

Rule of Law and Immunity Clause

For Nigeria’s democracy to thrive the respect for rule of law should be imperative. Absolutely no one should be above the law. We encourage the judiciary not only to be totally independent, but also must show that independence. In the same token members of the NASS should ensure that they are carrying out their functions in accordance with the constitution. They should not allow the presidency roll over them. Their oversight function should be taking seriously in order to ensure that no one is usurping and abusing power. NASS should expunge the immunity clause in the constitution. The masses cannot derive the dividends of democracy until governors and local government chairmen are transparent and accountable with the allocations.

Third Term

It is conclusion that those fronting and supporting third term are driven by selfish interests. They’re not concerned with the welfare of Nigeria. They want Obasanjo in office to enable them to continue to perpetuate fraud and corruption. In other words, third term is a fraud. It’s conceived in fraudulent minds whose only interest is self.

Presidency

The support for the Nigerian president of Igbo ethnic extraction was reaffirmed no matter the hoopla of third term. The Igbo in Diaspora strongly support Igbo presidency without equivocation. We should encourage other ethnic groups to support our cause. We should work hard to accomplish the goal. We should realize that it will never be handed over to the Igbo. Nothing of great value comes easy.

Conclusion

Above all, Nigeria must protect lives and properties of its citizens. Security is paramount. Human rights abuses should cease immediately. Some of the people in attendance were: Eze Igbo in Dallas, Nze Chinasa Madumere, High Chief Eddie Osuagwu, Atty. Godson Anyanwu, Sir Ike Ginigeme, Atty. Charles Maduka, Jerry Agbasi, Chief Samuel Nwankwo, Kenneth Okere, Vincent Oghuehi, Felix Okereke, Geoffrey Nzeadibe, and Ngozi Echebelem.

In any case, as the current drivers would not be able to negotiate the curves of temptations without compromising the shared values of the Igbo, we’re left with no choice but to get capable men and women without reproach to lead the Igbo.