KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

Congress seeks Igbo’s economic freedom

•Kalu hopeful on 2007

 ACHO ORABUCHI

New Jersey, USA

aorabuchi@netzero.net

&

ANOLU VINCENT

Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

Thursday, September 16, 2004

ECONOMIC Development Committee of World Igbo Congress (WIC) has called for the establishment of a South-East Development Corporation (SEDC) and a Diaspora Igbo Volunteer Network (DIVN) to coordinate economic emancipation of Ndiigbo, even as Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State said with unity among Ndigbo, the South-East would clinch the nation’s presidency in 2007

Making a presentation of the committee at the 10th edition of the congress in New Jersey, United States of America, (USA) its Chairman, Joe Nzepuome, said there is urgent need for Ndiigbo to take control of their economic destiny.

According to the committee report titled: "Strategy paper on the socio-economic development and regional empowerment of the south east," a five year socio-economic development plan could be implemented to the benefit of the South-East.

The five-year plan, the committee said, would take into cognizance and provide solutions on how to improve the quality of life of people in the region; maximize the economic utilization of natural resources and foster a more disciplined, self-reliant and caring society.

Other issues include need to establish a clean and healthy environment, widening the economic base and create a favorable climate for industries and also embrace the concept of sustainable development.

Main elements of the plan, Nzepuome said poverty reduction through increased focus on rural development and production; increased access to social services; macroeconomic stability; improved infrastructure and increased employment through enhanced labor-intensive industries.

Commenting on the recommendations, Nzepuome said, "in our hope for a wider-base and robust economy, the world Igbo congress is encouraged to actively seek the development of more industrial activities in the South East region."

On the Diaspora Igbo Volunteer Network, he noted that comprise of Igbo professionals in the Diaspora and provide skills to governments and institutions in Igboland.

"The Diaspora Igbo Volunteer Network would also play .. role in providing top management staff for the SEDC operations. The combination of the Volunteer Network and the SEDC would help relocate those Ndiigbo who are ready to return to Ala Igbo Diaspora owned to provide value-added services to SEDC operations," he said.

Nzepuome however, said the respective state governments in Igboland, seeking services of the volunteers, would be responsible for accommodation, transportation and .. of insurance cover for such volunteers.

Speaking at the event, President General of apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze, Prof Joe, Irukwu (SAN) said the quest by Ndiigbo for the presidency on 2007, is a call for equity and unity.

"Ohanaeze Ndiigbo maintains that apart from the political, moral and constitutional justifications, it is in the interest of national cohesion, stability and unity that the next President of Nigeria in the year 2007, should be a Nigerian of Igbo extraction to be democratically elected because of his qualifications, personal attributes and track records," he said.

Meanwhile, Gov. Kalu has said previous attempts by Ndiigbo for the presidency failed because the project was personalized.

The 2007 effort, he said, is a collective one guaranteed to succeed.

Governor Kalu spoke at the one-day Southeast Caucus meeting in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital, where his Ebonyi State colleague, Dr. Sam Egwu expressed concern at the mounting domineering influence of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on Ndigbo.

If left unchecked, Gov. Egwu said the development could drive Igbo leaders into oblivion.

Governor Kalu said the Nigerian Presidency of Igbo extraction project is neither an Ekwueme nor Wabara project, neither is it an Ojukwu, Okorie Iwuanyanwu, Anyim, Udenwa, Nnamani, Egwu, Ngige, Orji Kalu, Ozichukwu, Ogbulafor Nzeribe project.

"It is a collective project that will guarantee greater freedom for our people and the security of the future generations of our people," he noted.

Kalu said it is therefore criminal and indeed "a taboo" for any full blood Igboman or woman to rise up against the collective interest of the people, alleging that some Igbo sons and daughters had shamelessly presided over meeting where decisions were against the interest of the race.

For the Igbo to make any good showing in 2007, the governor enjoined them to first sink their differences, forgive one another and embrace the spirit of tolerance.

He reminded the Igbo that power is not won on a platter of gold as they cannot realize the presidential dream in an atmosphere of disunity, lack of determination and consultation.

He paid glowing tributes to Igbo fore fathers, who he said, did their best to leave behind laudable legacies for the race.

Also speaking during the meeting held at the General Ironsi Conference Center, Umuahia, Gov. Egwu, warned that a situation where a word, caution or injunction from MASSOB to the people is treated with warm respect, recognition and reverence as against those from the Igbo leadership, is unhealthy and should be redressed.

Egwu, who is the chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, urged Igbo leaders to continue in the path already taken, stating that the present crop of leaders owed it a duty to generations yet unborn to place the Igboman in the proper position he deserves in the country.

"Igbo race is one that cannot be toyed with in this country, let this meeting move forward and focus on the issue at stake," he said.

Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State, who also spoke expressed satisfaction at the resurrection of the meeting which he said had remained in the doldrums for ... time.

He reminded the Igbo political leadership that the problems facing them are quite enormous as the people now look upon them to take them to the Promised Land.

The governor, who identified the Igbo as the most populous single race in the country and who had toiled so much for Nigeria’s political, economic and social development, more than any other race, enjoined the political heavyweights to sink their individual differences and ambition and team up for the overall interest of the people.