KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

My visit to Detroit, the Motor City

·        Support Orlu State: Orlu indigenes in USA stressed

ACHO ORABUCHI

Dallas, Texas, USA

aorabuchi@netzero.net

Thursday, July 7, 2005

Undoubtedly, I appreciate politics, particularly political discourse that involves enlightening debates. So when the opportunity to attend Orlu National Assembly USA (ORA USA) National Convention in Detroit came up, I seized it for various reasons.

Despite the opportunity to discuss the affairs of Orlu Senatorial Zone, I had been yearning to visit Detroit, the Motor City, so that I could in turn visit Canada that is about a mile away.

Yes, I finally had the chance to visit Detroit, which I had a glimpse of on numerous occasions when I was in transit. This time, instead of hurting my neck to peep through the aircraft window, I was comfortable in the elegant Marriott Detroit Renaissance Center, which is within the same circumference with the General Motors Global Headquarters, sits at the heart of the vibrant Detroit downtown. We drove around the busy downtown only to find ourselves nodding in acknowledgement of American ingenuity.

In my hotel room on the 45^th floor, I was viewing Canada across from the Detroit River imagining when we would drive through the one-mile under the river Detroit-Windsor Tunnel to visit Canada for a few hours. Well, little did I know that I could only view Canada from afar, but would not set foot on the country, at least not on this trip.

Other attendees to the ORA convention could just view Canada from the banks of Detroit River. The schedule was crowded up and did not allow us time to complete what was part of our schedule, a visit to Canada. Interestingly, the discussion about the affairs of Orlu took precedence over any other personal plans and we obliged.

In consolation, Dr. Chris Nwamba drove me around and on our way to the Detroit Metro Airport, we stopped by The Hitman/The Detroit Cobra, the former Light Middleweight Champion, Thomas Hearns’ house. After exchanging pleasantries with the ex-champ, we headed to the airport.

Spiritedly, the issue concerning the creation of Orlu State was widely embraced. In an unprecedented show of unity and affirmation, the Orlu people in USA unequivocally support the creation of Orlu State.

Ardently, the agitation for Orlu State gathered more political traction as Orlu indigenes in the United States threw their support behind the cause. In this national convention of Orlu Senatorial Zone in the USA—Orlu Regional Assembly USA (ORA USA), an apex organization for all Orlu people, the participants and delegates affirmed their support for the creation of Orlu State before 2007. The apex organization is now asking other zones and states to support the creation of Orlu State.

In addressing the delegates and affiliate members, the Zonal Chairman, PDP Orlu Zone, Chief Green Iheka, sensitized the audience with the reality and the import of Orlu State. He said, “Creation of Orlu State is a reality.” Based on the imbalance that exists among the geo-political zones, the creation of Orlu State and possibly other states would be an attempt to address the imbalance.

The major advocate for Orlu State at the National Confab is Dr. Douglas Acholonu. “We should thank Dr. Douglas Acholonu for his intelligence,” Chief Iheka advised. “The Governor has been supporting the cause,” he continued, referring to the agitation for Orlu State.

The Chairman of ORA USA Board of Director, Nze Eddy Unegbu vehemently echoed, “That’s the way to go and I’m all for it,” indicating his unflinching support for the creation of Orlu State. “The ORA USA Board reached a resolution during its live meeting in Detroit to strongly support the movement for the creation of Orlu State. It is the right to do given the population of the zone,” he continued. “The words of our Orlu Elders are words of wisdom,” he concluded.

The newly elected Vice President of ORA USA and a member of Old Orlu Ezinwanne Association in Detroit, Mr. Chris Onwuzurike opined,  “I support the creation of Orlu State as long as we manage the instability and division it may bring.”  “I am an advocate of accountability; we want the elected officials to put the infrastructure in place in order for us to have a viable state,” Mr. Onwuzurike continued.

Furthermore, the president of Old Orlu Ezinwanne Association in Detroit, Barrister Don Mbamah sermonized, “It’s one mission we all should focus on—both those in Nigeria and Diaspora.” He continued, “I completely support the creation of Orlu State and the time has come.”  For those of in the Diaspora, we should make it our mission both in action and financially,” he concluded.

Patrick Ohaka held, “I support the creation of Orlu State because it would bring development to Orlu Zone.”

Mr. Phid C. Onwuzurike warned, “This generation must actually establish proper and adequate control over our political leaders who but practice “prostitutional” [venal] politics that deviates from the Igbo National Agenda.”

Writing on the issue of Orlu State, Mr. Emeka Iwunze said, “It is about time. Orlu produced the men and women who were in the fore front of the fight for Nigerian independence like Mazi Mbonu Ojike, Dr. B. U. Nzeribe - just to mention a few, but Orlu is yet to receive the dividend that comes with that political contributions.  If we get now by way of a State, I will say it was not so soon but I will applaud it.  In all I will support any and every move to actualize an Orlu State.”

The Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. A.G. Anwukah, used the occasion during the plenary session to enunciate the state of Imo State University, citing that he has a few months left in the office. “I have given total and committed service to Imo State during my tenure as the Vice Chancellor of Imo State University,” the VC said. “Imo State University is now safe for academic activity,” talking about the eradication of campus-related cult activities. “The university is now ranked high in the country among other universities in the country,” he continued.

Continuing his address to the Orlu indigenes in the United States, Prof. Anwukah reminded the audience about the need for them to complete the on-going projects at the College of Medicine in Orlu. He said, “The need to register a lasting and visible present in Orlu is by actualizing the College of Medicine classroom bloc. The land space has been provided. Others have started, Equivocation and delay is not helpful. The time to act is now.”

Some of the attendees were ORA USA President, Nze Gibson Chigbu, Dr. Chris Nwamba, Dr. Morgan Onwenu, O.O. Osuji, Jr., Mr. Justin Otiwu, Dr. Amos Ozumba, Atty. Chris Nwachukwu, Dr. Chuka Obiesie, Dr. Emmanuel Nwadike, Prince Charles Nwosu, Mr. Jeff Uju, Greg Nnodim, Barrister Don Mbamah, Mrs. Ozumba, Chief Eddie Ukaegbu, Tony Egbe, Bright Olaokpu, Fidelis Ezewike, Chief Peter Egwom, Mathias Mgbeafulu, Chris Alakwe, Mrs. Christi Nwaiwu, Damba Odenigbo, Humphrey Mbadugha, Colet Odenigbo, Ugo Onyemaobi, Peterclever Unegbu, Atty. Obinna Duruji, Dr. Richard Nwachukwu, Dr. Solomon Egbuho, Mr. Chris Anyiam, and a host of others.

Representing the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Plc., Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi, whose bank was a “Silver Sponsor” of the convention, Mr. Chuck Chuchuemeka informed the audience that Ihejiahi’s goodwill message. He thanked the delegates and assured them that Mr. Ihejiahi is a concerned Orlu indigene that will contribute his quota to the development of Orlu Zone.

Well, going back to Orlu State issue, there are two important factors that necessitate the creation of Orlu State. Political imbalance and lack of infrastructure in the South-East Zone validate the agitation for Orlu State. It is obvious that South-East geo-political zone has been suffering economic and political marginalization in the hands of the federal government. An evidence of such marginalization is the number of states the zone has compared with other zones. This imbalance has an added significance in reference to the diminished political power of the zone.

For instance, South-East hast the least number of states among the six geo-political zones. While South-South Zone has six states (Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River), South-East has only five, (Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu). Also, while North-East Zone has seven states (Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Bornu, Adamawa Taraba), the remaining zones have six states each: South-West (Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun); North-West (Sokoto, Kebie, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna); and North-Central (Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Nassarawa, Benue, Plateau).

Indubitably, creation of Orlu State and one other state from the zone would help compensate for the reduced political power of the region.

Another evidence of marginalization of South-East is lack of federal presence in regard to infrastructures in the zone. Federal investments in the zone are conspicuously absent. The creation of a new state would require enormous setup of infrastructures. In preparation for Orlu State, the State and federal government should invest now in network of roads, health and higher education facilities, power stations, office buildings, etc. so that the structures would be in place for a smooth transition.

In any case, those who brought the creation of Orlu State to the limelight should be commended. Dr. Douglas Achulono, you’re commended!