KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

As problems exist so does array of solutions

Acho Orabuchi

Dallas, Texas

aorabuchi@netzero.net

Thursday, June 2, 2005

Problems abound in all societies and sometimes between countries. Unfortunately, there are no shortages of social, cultural, psychological, economic, political, and a host of other ills in every society. As a result of this endemic phenomenon, the burden and cost of solving various problems, especially international conflicts, have been heavy and the memory refuses to go away in the minds of many. This underscores the import of Memorial Day in America. Monday, May 30, was the Memorial Day Holiday, a day Americans pay tribute to their fallen soldiers in America’s wars who paid the ultimate price in defense and protection of liberty and freedom.

The Memorial Day in the US conjures up gruesome memories of Biafra-Nigeria War and its associated atrocities. Even the passing months and years could not dim the grisly memories of long gone theatre of war. The cause and the consequence of the war, unfortunately, remain alive in today’s Nigeria as if the carnage ended yesteryear. Regrettably, the country has not learned to provide lasting solutions to its socio-political problems, the striking socio-political imbalance, that caused the war in the first place.

As problems exist so does array of solutions. On that note, the Nigerian government sent about 10 people to a four-day (May 25-May 28, 2005) FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Program in America to learn how to solve problems related to emergency preparedness. The Nigerian delegation to the FEMA Program included the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Emeka Atuma, Vice Chairman, House Committee on Niger-Delta, Hon. Ernest M. Ajah, Director-General of NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency), Alhaji Salihu Makarfi, Hon. Sani Abraham, and others.

As I was eating breakfast with Hon. Emeka Atuma and Hon. Ajah, I initiated a conversation and engaged them on the purpose of their visit to America. They candidly expressed how hard they are working to move Nigeria forward. In an effort to ensure that Nigeria prepares well for emergencies, they came to receive training on how to deal with various natural emergencies. It is essentially important that Nigeria, particularly those in charge of natural and ecological disaster, learn how to respond effectively and efficiently to natural disasters. They should be prepared to handle any natural disaster in the country.

“You see, Nigeria is a disaster-prone country,” Hon. Atuma began. “We came here to learn more about how to deal with natural disasters should they happen in Nigeria. We have to be prepared to deal with the emergencies. As a result, we have come to discuss and collaborate so that we could infuse the knowledge we gained at all levels of government—local, state, and federal,” he continued. “We are here to learn to facilitate the capacity building so that the nation can respond effectively to disasters,” Atuma concluded.

It is encouraging to know that Nigeria is learning to set up an emergency plan to deal with the unexpected. The country should learn thoroughly the US setup, its structural development, and collaborate more often with the American counterpart.

Still on problems, the publicly celebrated anti-graft crusade appears to be getting to a screeching halt. What’s going on? I thought that by now we’ll have scores of people arrested to account for public funds. The public fanfare that greeted the arrest of Balogu has dissipated with no additional arrests of corrupt officials.

Mbano people in the Diaspora have chosen to tackle myriad of economic and socio-political problems that have plagued Ala-Mbano in a different way—imbibing in a sustained approach. They are not just talking about the problems; they are doing something about them.

The keynote speaker, an eminent patent attorney in California, Atty. Angela Ngozi Nwaneri enjoined the people of Mbano to stay focused on both short-term and long-term objectives of the association. She urged, “We need to work on both the short-term and long-term planning in order for us to have a sustained impact on changing the situation in our community.” “I encourage everyone to make sure we continue to work on our short-term objectives while not losing sight of our long-term commitments,” she continued.

The Mbano National Assembly solution-oriented national convention realized the need to effect change in Mbano community in Nigeria and proffered bold solutions for immediate implementation. President of Mbano National Assembly (MNA), Mr. Emmanuel C. Egbuziem, in his address reminded his brethren about the fate of their community. He said, “My brothers and sisters, the plight of our homeland is precarious, and there is no shortage of motivation to do what we must do to restore Mbano to the rightful prominence it once had and can have again.” He further advised, “The fate of Mbano is in our hands, and the time is now to put a fresh face on the deluge of hindrances and challenges that impede our progress.”

Vice President of Mbano National Assembly and the Deputy Chair of the National Planning Committee for the convention, Sir Ike Ginigeme enunciated the progress the Mbano people have made in the convention. He said, “In this 5^th Annual Convention of MNA, we’ve achieved a whole lot. We’ve adopted and agreed on the implementation date of the Micro-Credit Scheme, a program that would make loans available to farmers and traders in Mbano.” MNA values education of all people in Mbano. “We’ve agreed to continue and expand our scholarship program so that students who want attend higher education and cannot afford would have the opportunity to live their dreams. We’ll use this program to assist disadvantaged students in Mbano to obtain university education,” Ginigeme added.

In the face of poor heath care services in Nigeria, particularly in Mbano, Ginigeme revealed, “MNA will kickoff its Medical Mission in the second week in October, 2005. The Medical team will be led by Dr. Ijeoma Nduka-Nwosu.”

In his remarks as the chief launcher, the Imo State gubernatorial candidate, Chief Sam Uwandu echoed, “In our homeland Mbano, there are thousands of people who do not have access to simple medical checkups, due to lack of funds, shear ignorance, or due to one reason or the other. As a result, many people die for minor reasons that could be prevented with little efforts from you and I. Pregnant women die during delivery due to inadequate medical care, lack of minerals or vitamins, and other minor reasons.’ Chief Uwandu continued, “Many people are going blind today due to minor problems that could have been prevented by simple checkup or minor surgery.” “As a matter of urgency, our people desperately need your help and we ask you to assist us financially,” he pleaded with the audience.

According to the representative of Fidelity Bank in the US, Chuck Chuckuemeka, “Fidelity Bank is sponsoring some of the programs of MNA. The Micro Credit, Medical Mission, and Scholarship Scheme are being partly sponsored by Fidelity Bank in order to facilitate the noble ambition of MNA.” “We ask Nigerians in the Diaspora to consider investing in the services provided by the Fidelity Bank,” Chuck concluded.

Talking about the unity that has eluded several organizations, Chief Felix Ihejiawu, a resident of Dallas said, “We’re united in coming up with progressive programs. The idea of the medical mission in Mbano was marvelous; for the implementation each parochial organization under MNA will bring one person to accompany the medical team to Nigeria.”

Atty. Uzoma A. Ofodu, Kansas City-based attorney characterized the MNA convention as constructive and successful. He stated, “It’s successful to the extent that electioneering campaign for the Imo State governorship election is in full swing.  As the chairman of the Political Action Committee of MNA, it’s imperative that a determined position by the MNA be made relative to all elective offices concerning the good for Ala-Mbano be made. MNA is poised and determined to seek for accountability from the elected officials. The time for big talk and no action is gone. Therefore, MNA presently seeks for the deliverance and would expend in no uncertain terms the resources required to have that would the goods of democracy to the grassroots; not to give the fish to the grassroots, but to give the grassroots to fish.”

Talking about fish, Mbano community could be characterized as fishers of men and women, but this time they over-fished. Without any doubt, the community was able to attract important personalities to its various sessions during the convention.

Some of the personalities in attendance were President of Okigwe National Assembly, Chief Cliff Ukachu, CEO of Trans Atlantic Airlines, Chief I.O. Njoku, Chairman, Destiny 007, Dr. Gilbert Onwanetiliora Abadom and his wife Dr. (Mrs.) Vivian Abadom, Secretary General, Senator Ararume Solidarity Forum (SASFO), Dr. Chidi Collins, Former Senatorial candidate, Ireti H. Kingibe, Chief (Barrister) Ugoha Ibekwe, Mrs. Adaeze Ukpabi, Dr. Nwokeafor Cosmas, Chief (Lady) Azeala, Dr. John Nduka, Chief Eddie Nwosu, Dr. Christian C. Nwachukwu, Dr. Donatus Uzoma, Tony Daniels Nwagbara, Clement Ezeh, Dr. Enyi Okereke, and a host of others.

Also present was the recent 2005 PNF USA Public Service Award recipient, Dr. Anne Nzegwu, who donated generously to Mbano community. The president of the host affiliate, Mbano Peoples Association in Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, Mr. Fidelis I. Kpaduwa, was encouraged by the turn out of people. He also thanked the committee members that planned the convention.

The 6^th National Convention of MNA in Washington, D.C. concluded on Sunday, May 29, 2005 on a happy note. The event was well attended by indigenes of Mbano. The organizers raised substantial amount of money from both Mbano indigenes and non-Mbano indigenes. Obviously, they had successful deliberations with actionable programs for immediate implementation.