KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

WIC Convention Substantive or same old jamboree

·        Buhari was not snubbed at the convention

 ACHO ORABUCHI

New Jersey, USA

aorabuchi@netzero.net

Sunday, September 19, 2004

Fête has always been on some people’s mind when dialoguing with one another concerning WIC”s conventions and this convention was no different. Concerned about the sentiments, I shrilly tried to collect people’s opinion on the New Jersey WIC convention in general during and after the activities. Was it hullabaloo or not?

Before proceeding, it is pertinent to seize this moment to dispel some assertions contained in one of the Nigerian dailies regarding the treatment of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) at the WIC convention. An article written in THISDAY by Chuks Okocha, dated Saturday, September 11, 2004, and entitled, “2007: Igbo Congress Snubs Buhari” contained the following statement: “THISDAY learnt that Buhari, who was invited to the World Igbo Congress which took place from September 2 to 6 at the prestigious Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel in New Jersey, was billed to unwrap his 2007 presidential aspiration before the Igbo in Diaspora, but he was stopped on account that it would give him an unfair advantage in the race for 2007.” Contrary to THISDAY report, an eyewitness account states categorically that World Igbo Congress invited Buhari unconditionally; he was given a platform to speak on Thursday, September 2, 2004 and he spoke fully without any interruption. Buhari was not heckled! Also, on Friday night—the Cultural Night, September 3, 2004, Buhari was ushered in with Igbo traditional dance normally reserved for the Igbo royal fathers. Regrettably, General Buhari was invited and accorded an unprecedented respect at the WIC convention that made some hairs stand.

Also, before laying out the reactions of some of the attendees on the event, it is important to note that the argument preceding the WIC convention centered on the relevancy of the WIC conventions—some them call jamborees—in setting and achieving any collective objective for the Igbo. The argument intensified in both private and public domains as the convention date drew closer. No argument on the relevancy of WIC conventions caught more attention than the statements made by Dr. Richard Nwachukwu.

Interestingly, ahead of the recently concluded 10^th Annual World Igbo Congress Convention in New Jersey, Richard Nwachukwu, a former WIC board member and Director of Media for WIC, wrote,  “But now, in his third year in office and one year left in his second and final term,” he began, “there is nothing to show for it.”  “WIC has no money and WIC has no new initiative,” Nwachukwu added.

He continued, “What is this year's convention for?  I had each year - for the last 10 years - devoted several pages of the African Herald to cover WIC conventions.  But this year, the 10^th anniversary of the World Igbo Congress, which I helped to form, I may not be there.  I'm not expecting anything new from this administration.”

Understandably, Dr. Kalu Kalu Diogu, the WIC chairman, responded, “Brother Richard, we hear that a certain senator who has been identified by WIC for listing into the Igbo Hall of Shame has enlisted a few individuals from his district to attack, smear and in the Nigerian way “impeach” me in WIC. I hope you are not one of them. If you are, try another trick because this one ain’t [isn’t] selling. I can assure you that the subterfuge will fail and fail again. The Senator’s nomination into the Igbo Hall of Shame will be tabled at the convention and I believe there are enough votes to elect him. I am sure you are aware that this senator has taken several ads in the Nigeria dailies lately to smear me. He will also fail, because the destiny of Ndiigbo is mightier than the Sword of Gideon.”

Kalu Kalu Diogu continued, “Now that the facts have been re-focused as they truly are, please join us in the collective effort to correct our mistakes and to serve our people more effectively. As one of the founding fathers of the WIC, we cannot afford to see your chair empty. I look forward to seeing you in Newark, [New Jersey].”

In his pre-convention interview, however, Clement Ezeh, who bankrolled the convention with his personal money, succinctly said, “Naturally, every convention is different from the others in substance and style. The remarkable material difference in this year’s convention is the substance of our AGENDA for Ndi Igbo. Perhaps, this convention will go down in history as the first time Ndi Igbo will leave WIC convention with a clear non-partisan blueprint that addresses our socio-political and economic road map for our people. The Chairman of WIC, Dr. Kalu Diogu in his address to our people, will unveil this roadmap.”

Disenchanted with the WIC convention, Nze Chinasa Madumere, a real estate and mortgage banker in the USA, said, “If WIC could not do better than what they did in New Jersey after 10 years in existence, the organization has a problem and it needs a new direction. What was WIC’s agenda last year? Was that agenda accomplished? We need an answer from the leadership. In short, we need a new leadership in WIC! Not just a leader, we need a strong leader that is committed to collective Igbo interest and not selfish interest.”

Unapologetically, Godson Anyanwu, a practicing attorney in Dallas, who was at the convention, contemporaneously gave his views about the convention. He said, “The convention is poorly planned. Starting from Thursday the planning was deficient. We are here on WIC and we are not expecting Buhari and here is Burari addressing us. Also, during the cultural night on Friday, Buhari was ushered in with our cultural dance. We have not seen any substance in the convention. The activities never started on time.” “I agree with the statement Nwachukwu made in terms of relevancy of this convention. The whole WIC organization should be restructured to be effective. This is like a jamboree and nothing of substance is happening,” he concluded.

Dr. Chimezie Osondu agreed strappingly, saying, “As a first time participant, I was disappointed because of the lack of organization of WIC. Hall was overcrowded, much time was spent on long speeches, and everything was on sale, including drinks. No time for people to socialize completely.

Dr. Harold Onyedikachukwu Molokwu from Chicago, talking out frustration for lack of progress for the Igbo, said, “Those who want to be in power do not have the agenda and do not want to reach out to people who would advise them. The recent WIC convention was a failure to the Igbo nation.”

“WIC should be a solution-oriented organization. Its convention should be for finding solutions,” Dr. Caroline Nwosu began. “This convention came short of achieving that. The organizers should have looked into the structural aspect of the convention to integrate issues and sessions to the awareness of all participants,” she concluded.

 “It is very well organized by the local host,” Emeka Ukachukwu, a board member of WIC, said lightheartedly. “However, the convention tries to accomplish too many things at the same time,” he penitently added.

Chief Kingsley Megwara opined, “I’m impressed with the convention. The speech by the Ohanaeze President says it all. The unity of the Igbo is paramount.”

Cornelius Akubueze, Chair of the Data Management Committee for the convention, said, “Generally, the WIC convention in New Jersey appears to be going fine but not exactly as expected. There appears to have been laxity in early registration of participant who caused backlogs, frustrations and delays in certifying participants. It also appears to have been delays in program planning as well as delivery paraphernalia that goes with the conventions. There were several program changes, which may have impacted the release of the program agenda to the participants. The convention start date may also have affected the outcome given that it was mid week and some people; planners and participants were still engaged in there personal business and so were unable to give 100% service. These views are my personal views, but I am personally disgusted with the invitation of General Buhari without the proper notification of WIC stakeholders nor its reflection on the program agenda that were being circulated.”

 “There were too many long speeches,” Bright Olaokpu began. “The event is a success; though I strongly believe that Igbo problem will not be solved in the USA,” he concluded.

Angelina Ihejirika from Chicago, another first-timer, said, “It started with confusion yesterday causing delays in various activities. Things are much better today, though they started late. It is a splendid idea to have congress where the Igbo are brought together—to meet one another—both those from home and those that live here. The women forum was good.”

Emmanuel Anosike, a former WIC board member, said, “The things that impressed me was presentation of the roadmap and the items in the economic presentation. I like the commitment shown by the Ohanaeze leadership.”

Chief Charles Ugo Eke said, “This is one of the conventions that not only addressed the political issues, but also the socio-economic issues affecting the Igbo and this was with the roadmap. Also I commend the implementation strategy that was outlined.”

The attendees have spoken! Not only that they spoke for so many other participants, but their opinion seemed to exude a window of information through which those who could not attend could see the events unfolding in Newark. No matter one’s opinion on WIC convention and before the issue fades into the archives of Igbo Forum, the salient question remains: was that the best Igbo in the Diaspora could do? And most importantly, where do we go from here?