KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

In search of lasting solutions 2

Acho Orabuchi

Dallas, Texas

Thursday, May 19, 2005

 The substantive Igbo political conclave organized by Ndi-Igbo in the Diaspora under the aegis of Pan Ndi-Igbo Foundation USA (PNF USA) ended recently in Dallas, the effects of the deliberations continued to reverberate long after the participants have settled down in their respective homes. The deliberations, replete with solutions, asked for the implementation phase.

In a keynote address sent by Prof. Anya O. Anya, and in attempt to x-ray the crux of the lingering of the Igbo, he began, “There is pain in the Igbo heart.  There is confusion in the Igbo mind.  There are excruciating aches in the Igbo body politic and society.  The source of all that is the dilemma that faces every Igbo man and woman as he/she observes or participates in the affairs of contemporary Nigeria.  There are varied explanations for the pain, for the confusion and for the aches.  Some ascribe them to the apparent disunity that seems to be a persistent but uninvited guest in any conclave of the Igbos since the end of the Biafran war.  Some would rather lay the blame on the so-called marginalisation of the Igbos.” 

“The question really is:  between disunity and marginalisation, which is the cause and which is the effect?” Anya asked.  He continued, “Or put another way, we seem to be in the chicken and egg situation.  Perhaps, we need to start from the beginning or as our compatriot the revered Chinua Achebe would put it: we need to know where the rain started to beat us.”

Examining the reasons for lack of genuine Igbo leadership, Prof. Anya enunciated, “The result is the abandonment of the politics of principles and ideas for the rule of the mob-thugs and toughies are often the ones that dictate political outcomes. The result has been a general repudiation and lack of interest in the affairs of the community and the state by members of the professional and leadership elite.  The debacle in Anambra State over the last six years is merely the inescapable demonstration of the general lack of leadership and the requisite sense of propriety and responsible social values in the wider community.  Known 419ers and others of known disrepute have often metamorphosed into our “leaders” while men of quality, of reason and decorum appear helpless and listless.  The invasion of the traditional institutions by these flight-by-night “leaders” is the most vivid illustration of the social dysfunction that has become the measure of the state of depravity and dissonance in our body politic.”

In an effort to proffer solutions to the lingering Igbo problems, an eminent educator in Dallas, Dr. Ambi Nzeakor, said, “I think it's about time Ndiigbo in the Diaspora helped out.  We have heard enough about the so-called marginalization. But as Ndiigbo, let us not feel like kept citizens, who believe in handouts.  We have always been known to be adventurous, and an industrious set of people, who believe in self-subsistence.  I believe that if every Igbo head of household in the Diaspora would make a sacrificial donation of at least $100.00 as suggested by Dr. Anne Nzegwu, toward a sporadic investment and development in Igboland, the long anticipated Igbo economic empowerment/independence would definitely be achieved.  I resent the attitude of some of us, Ndiigbo, who feel unconcerned about the plights of the Igbo nation, and instead of making some contributions; they blame everything on the government and marginalization.  I wish Ndiigbo throughout the globe, while being proud of their race, will be willing and ready to die for her cause, just like the Jews.”

Dr. Lawrence C. Ilouno advised, “Many names are now being bandied about. My advice is that we must cast our net wide open, so that trusted and capable Igbos from the South-South geographical [geopolitical] zone are also given a chance to compete with their brethren from the South-East geo-political zone. At the end of the day, what we want is a consensus candidate who will be acceptable to both the Igbos and the rest of the Nigerian community.”

The active participation of the conferees could not be overemphasized. The limits were set by the star performance of those that attended the sessions. One of the participants was Prof. Pat Utomi, a guest speaker, who spoke with elocution on a variety of issues facing the Igbo in today’s Nigerian socio-political environment.

Some of the conferees were Prof. Obioma Nnaemeka, Prof. Leslye Obiora, Chief Theophilus Bright Olaokpu, Chief Polly Ubah, Dr. Chike Akunyili, Prof. Soronnadi Nnaji, Dr. Ike Ofomata, Dr. Ignatius Ezenagu, Dr. Theodore Okechukwu, Dr. Tina Ogbuokiri, Chief Morgan Iroha, Atty. Edwin Nwokocha, Dr. Anne Nzegwu, Dr. Rita Okafor, Dr. Sydney Ugwu, Dr. Echeazu Ogu, Chief Calistus Agochukwu, and Dr. Lawrence Okere. Also in attendance were Prof. Dennis Balogu, Joe Nze Eto, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Okpalaugo, Chigozie Oguine, Atty. Emeka Odunze, Dr. Chris Aniedobe, Jonathan Obiagwu, Dr. Godwin Ogbuokiri, and a host of others.

Overwhelmed with the quality of the attendees and the discussion during the conference, Chuck O.N. Chuckuemeka, a practicing CPA wrote, “I am one of those who are particular about my associations with any person and/or organizations. My presence at the PNF USA event last week in Dallas, has at least convinced me that of all those organizations, there could be legitimate reasons for their existence, and skeptics like me, need to look at the mission and the objectives of these organizations before passing judgment on them.”

“When I decided to attend PNF event, I was only coming there to support a friend, and to represent Fidelity Bank, Plc of Nigeria on their upcoming IPO due to be out this June. Talk about killing two birds with one stone, I killed multiple birds with one stone. Not only that I accomplished my objectives, but also I was educated in many ways. The caliber of the attendees from Nigeria, South America, Europe and of course all parts of the United States was amazing, but most importantly, the quality of the discussions, the resolutions reached, and a road map for implementation gave me something to smile about,” Chuckuemeka concluded.

Referring to the Dallas confab, Sir Ike Ginigeme echoed, “It is a unique conference that was well-attended by a lot of Igbo intellectuals in the Diaspora and from Nigeria. I was very pleased and impressed with the presence and performance of Joe Nze Eto, a candidate for WIC chairmanship.”

A resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Emma Nwachukwu, who was in attendance had this to say, “That was a very successful conference. I hope we’ll move on with the proposals immediately and not waste time before their implementation. The speakers were great and their opinion well articulated. The contributions of the participants were very significant.”

Nnodum Iheme, President of Nnodum Pharmaceuticals, manufacturers of Zikspain Relief Cream, indicated, “The conference went very well, very productive; it has a lot of substance and educational. The professional interaction and meaningful networking among the participants in the conference was unparalleled. The conference was well deserved because that was the first time Ndi-Igbo in the Diaspora, including those in the pharmaceutical industry, came together to put ideas together in order to help with the fight against fake drugs in Nigeria.”

Dr. Emma Iheanyi Okoro impressively said, “The concept of the conference and the quality of deliberations was very good; it attracted people to discuss substantive Igbo problems. I was impressed.”

In a message sent to the conferees through PNF USA, our eminent scholar, Prof. Chinua Achebe expressed his support saying, “I am sending this brief message of appreciation and solidarity to your association through my nephew, Mr. Chike Okocha.”

Impressed with the effort PNF USA is making in fighting for Igbo cause, Dr. Nzeakor called on the Igbo nation to support the activities of PNF USA. “I highly commend the PNF for the bold and herculean efforts of its chairman, Dr. Acho Orabuchi, Attorney Charles Maduka, and all its Executives,” Dr. Nzeakor stated. “They have consistently shown a strong unity of purpose in voicing out Igbo concerns unlike some larger Igbo organizations at home and abroad, which are still struggling with organizational structure and leadership.  I urge every true Igbo to support PNF's efforts irrespective of who is navigating the ship.  While we are abroad enjoying the fruits of our hosts' labor, let us be mindful of the sufferings of our less privileged folks at home,” Nzeakor concluded.

In accepting PNF USA Platinum Leadership Award, Chairman, Police Service Commission, Chief Simon N. Okeke seized the moment to thank the organization. He opined, “Pan Ndi-Igbo Foundation USA, Inc. has become an authentic voice across the shores of Nigeria. Needless to say however that you need to partner with local organizations in Nigeria for a more effective synergy.”

Chief Okeke used the opportunity to account for his stewardship as the chairman of Police Service Commission and also to highlight the progress in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s reform efforts, especially in the fight against graft. He said, “The Reform agenda of government has started yielding fruits. We are aware that only recently, your organization, although faraway here in the United States of America, commended the increased speed and effect of Mr. President’s anti-corruption crusade.” He continued, “The crusade is on and well-meaning Nigerians are happier for it. Corruption has stagnated and retarded the growth and development of Nigeria. The nation can no longer tolerate the false sense of wealth, where few are bloating and many are groaning and vegetating.”

Obviously PNF USA is in the forefront in addressing Igbo issues as they affect people at the grassroots. The organization is setting the limits, raising the bar, and paving the path for others to follow. As a result, the Fidelity Bank, Plc. with more than 17 years of successful operations in Nigeria, one of the 13 settlement banks for the NSE and one of 23 collecting banks for the Nigeria Customs Services, and a bank with capital appreciation of 240% in the last three years, was generous enough to be a partial sponsor of the organization’s activities in the recently concluded conference. Implementation of the proposed solutions is the next phase of the agenda.