Ndigbo: Resetting the barometer of development in South-east

The World Igbo Conference recently x-rayed the perennial issues of marginalisation, state creation, and freedom of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), among others. But of symbolic importance and a common stream that runs across the issues is the imperative of getting regional politics right, LAWRENCE NJOKU reports.

The alleged marginalisation of Ndigbo in the scheme of national politics, demand for a sixth state in the region, and unconditional release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, took centre stage last Friday as Igbo from home and the Diaspora converged in Nsukka for the second edition of the World Igbo Conference.

Though regaled in culture, the event has the theme, “Bridging the Igbo Homeland-Diaspora Disconnect for Transforming our Present and Future Together”. It was organised by the Centre for Igbo Studies (CIS) of the University of Nigeria (UNN), to support and contribute to the restoration of Igbo identity and language.

Different speakers in the in-person and virtual conference that saw the presentation of various papers though agreed that infiltration is part of the challenges threatening its culture, language and heritage, however, stated that certain activities of successive governments had compounded the development of Alaigbo.

President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who drew the first sod, while expressing regrets that Igbo language and culture were seriously being threatened, stated that the development was made worse by the marginalisation of Ndigbo in the scheme of things in the country.

He decried the lopsided implementation of the federal character policy, adding that the denial of a sixth state to the South-east geo-political zone, despite recommendations from various constitutional conferences had festered.

He stressed that perpetuating the region’s under-representation was a socio-economic disadvantage that has accounted for what accrues to various states and regions in the country.

Iwuanyanwu, who seized the opportunity to recount the organisation’s efforts to secure the unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from incarceration, reaffirmed the commitment of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in advocating for justice and freedom for Kanu.

He detailed the organisation’s ongoing endeavours, including legal interventions and diplomatic engagements, aimed at securing Kanu’s release, and ensuring that his rights are upheld. He also refuted claims of indifference towards Kanu’s matter. He urged Ndigbo in the diaspora to seek clarifications before making unfounded claims, heightening the importance of accurate information and informed discourse.

Iwuanyanwu noted that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, under him, has tried to advance the course of Igboland, despite the challenges, stressing that he has succeeded in bringing her illustrious sons and daughters to speak with one voice, as well as realise that the destiny of Igboland lies in her people.

To that extent, he said that various committees headed by Igbo people, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen endeavours have been created, adding that recently a retreat aimed at repositioning Igbo in Nigeria in line with current trends, national and global realities was held.

“That one-day retreat, which was attended by distinguished Igbo sons and daughters both at home and in the diaspora reflected on the prevailing circumstances in Nigeria and the place of Ndigbo in the current dynamics of Nigeria in the understanding that difficult timers require divine wisdom, hence Ako bu Ije,” he stated.

He praised the foresight in the setting up of the Centre for Igbo Studies, as well as the yearly Igbo Conference, saying there is no better platform of rediscovering Igbo identity than outputs from the centre.

Iwuanyanwu’s statement on Kanu sparked spirited discussion among conference attendees, with divergent views on the best approach to advocate for his release.
While former chairman of the World Igbo Conference, Emeritus Prof Peter Ejiofo, felt that Ohanaeze Ndigbo had not shown much commitment to Kanu’s cause, a position that was adopted by many, others expressed support for Iwuanyanwu’s defence of the organisation.

For instance, President of the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), Dr Sylvester Onyia and that of the Council of Igbo States in Americas (CISA), Dr (Mrs) Amaka Aguoji, were divided on the issue.

While Onyia raised concerns about Kanu’s continued incarceration and the apparent indifference of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in pressing for his release like Sunday Igboho, Aguoji acknowledged the spirited efforts of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in defending the rights and privileges of Ndigbo and commended Iwuanyanwu’s efforts.

Onyia had said: “If his counterpart in seeking freedom for his people, Sunday Igboho, has been granted unconditional release by the Federal Government, it beats one’s imagination that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who several court pronouncements have acquitted and discharged, has been languishing in prison custody till date. He called for fairness, justice, and equity for every Nigerian, irrespective of tribe, language, religion, region, or political affiliation, noting that it is only on this basis that any country such as Nigeria struggling with the daunting challenges of nationhood can hope to succeed in her current efforts to build a strong and united sovereign entity called Nigeria.”

While the conferees agreed on the need for justice and solidarity among Ndigbo in the scheme of things, Conference Chairman and Chairman, Board of Presidents, Council of Igbo States in America (CISA), Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, urged the sons and daughters of Ndigbo to rally behind the Igbo Cultural Village Complex (ICVC), a multi-billion-naira endeavour spearheaded by the Centre for Igbo Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), under the leadership of Director Prof. Chris Uchenna Agbedo.

Emeritus President General, World Igbo Assembly (WIA), Prof. Anthony Ejiofor, whose speech aligned with the theme of the conference, however, observed that in the face of the challenges facing Igbo, there was a need for reorientation for cultural, economic, and political rebirth of Igboland.

“Igbos are insecure today culturally, economically and politically because a huge effort has gone into destabilising us, and a good number of us have also decided to play alongside, thus making it difficult to rediscover who we are. I think there is a need for Igbo census and database. All well-meaning Igbo must work together to get the balls rolling. There is no truth about security in Igboland. Youths must be meaningfully engaged. We must infuse technology and take control of our economy to help our politics and anywhere we are,” he stated.

Chairman of the Igbo Community in The Hague, Oliver Nwankwo, blamed the weak economy of Igboland for the various political and social challenges being faced by his people, explaining that there was a need for strong diaspora intervention by way of investing in the region to lift it in the sphere of things. He canvassed a situation where diaspora remittances should be used to support the economic development of Igboland, adding that should the same level of effort its people devote to buying and selling be devoted in production, it would improve the economy.

Nwankwo, who called for the establishment of what he described as the Igbo Diaspora Investment Agency, said it would help monitor the level of inflow into the region among others, and suggested that a system should be devised to ascertain the level of investment any person that desired chieftaincy title had brought into Igboland.

“This is because we cannot be shouting and asking foreign investors to come and invest in Igboland when many of us have refused to invest here,” he stated.
Commenting on the conference, a university don, Sixtus Igweze, noted that a cultural rebirth that could transform Igboland was “one that is focused on the economic and political advancement of the generality of the people not individual”, just as he praised the effort in bonding the diaspora with the people at home.

Conference Chairman and Chairman, Board of Presidents, Council of Igbo States in America (CISA), Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, stated that the Igbo have all they needed to become a strong force in Nigeria, regretting that there is individualism in every sphere have continued to rob their opportunities.

He emphasised the need to shun acts capable of undermining the development of Igboland, stressing that the idea behind the Igbo Cultural Village Complex (ICVC), a multi-billion-naira endeavour spearheaded by the Centre for Igbo Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), under the leadership of Director, Prof. Chris Uchenna Agbedo, is to help Ndigbo rediscover their identity of hard work, service, and communism.

Anakwenze, who has become a cerebral figure in Igbo scholarship, language, and cultural heritage, emphasised the critical importance of preserving the rich heritage of the Igbo people in an era of rapid globalisation.

“The Igbo Cultural Village Complex represents more than just bricks and mortar; it embodies the essence of our identity, the soul of our community. In a world where cultural homogenisation threatens to erode the distinctiveness of indigenous societies, it is incumbent upon us, the custodians of Igbo heritage, to safeguard and nurture our cultural legacy.

Host Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Igwe, who declared the conference opened, emphasised the need for collaboration among Igbo sons and daughters to achieve their desires and plans for the development of Igboland. He said: “This academic harvest marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to unite and strengthen the bonds of the Igbo community, both at home and abroad. I urge all great sons and daughters of Ndigbo to embrace and support the vision of reinventing Igbo studies and transforming Igboland.”