The Leader of the Senate in the Second Republic, Dr. Olusola Saraki, on Sunday evening formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria with a horde of supporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
At the event, Saraki said he would meet his son, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on the field. This development has set the stage for an epic clash between the veteran politician and his son, who is also the governor of the state and leader.
Saraki, who joined the ACPN at a formal ceremony at his Iloffa residence in the Government Reservation Area, Ilorin also said, “The Peoples Democratic Party is officially dead and buried in Kwara State.” At the event, the politician also directed his supporters to discard PDP property in their possession, adding that he was still discussing with other parties.
In his words, “I was the one you voted for in 1999, 2003 and 2007; but since they have decided to treat us like this, we will move to a party that will favour us and not suffer us the way PDP is doing.”
It however appears he is throwing up his daughter to take over the governance of the state from where his son stopped. Saraki said, “When you (his supporters) told me you wanted Bukola in 2003, I told you he was not a politician, but you said it was him you wanted. Now you are saying you want Gbemi (his daughter). When I told him Gbemi would take over from him, he said ‘no problem.’ I called him and asked him, ‘Do you know anybody who is better than Gbemi?’ "
The question I then ask is could it be possible that in a state like Kwara, the most intelligent professionals and politicians are from the immediately family of Olusola Saraki. I dare say No because the politician himself admitted that his son was 'inexperienced'...in his words, the leadership of PDP in the state capitalized on the “inexperience of the state leadership to perpetuate themselves and turn themselves into something else. Those who were not involved in the building of the party have now capitalised on the inexperience of the leadership to perpetuate themselves and to decide the fate of the real people on the state’s political turf.”
So he did not realize his son was inexperienced until after 8 years...Nawa o!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Ist Asaba Development Summit
COMMUNIQUE
Ist Asaba Development Summit Organized By Asaba Development Union (ADU)-Youth Wing, Held On 31st December 2010, At Ogwa Ukwu Ahaba.
A careful study and assessment of current state of affairs and recent trend of events within Asaba metropolis has not only given rise to wide speculations, it has equally raised concerns from various quarters on the position of Ahaba youths, with attendant questions like: where are Ahaba youths? Does it mean that there are no creative and progressive youth bodies, Ahaba can boast of?
To this end, the Youth Wing of Asaba Development Union (ADU), thought it wise to organise a Youth- focused development Summit, which created Opportunity for Asaba youth leaders to brainstorm and draft the 1st Youth-focused Asaba Development Agenda.
The summit maintained that a sustainable town-wide development will be one, which has solid foundation on functional public policy formulation, implementation and evaluation; constructive pro-people legislation; public private partnership; good governance practices and pro-poor leadership project execution.
The summit understood and maintained the truism, that the state of the town (politically, economically and socially) is far beyond what can be judge as progressive tendencies, for this reason, the summit commits to using every pro-active, pro-youth, pro-development approach towards reversing the present retrogressive state of the town. Ahaba youths will no longer endure this communal backwardness.
The summit proposed a whole-some community development initiative-ownership and partnership culture with public policy regulators who champion Global, Continental, National and Local Development Initiatives such as: Millienium Development Goals (MDGs), New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), Vision 20:2020 and the Delta State 3 Point Agenda, for a robust all round sustainable development of the town.
The summit outline a 6-Point Asaba Development Agenda that will be implemented through a 4 years life span (2011-2015) with periodic monitoring and evaluation exercises carried out, the list below outlines the adopted 6- Point Asaba Development Agenda:
i) Youth Re-orientation, Employment and Entrepreneurship Programs.
ii) Education, Health, Agriculture, Sports and Environmental Dev. Initiatives.
iii) Security and Intelligence Networking Scheme.
iv) Good Governance, Elections and Peace- Building
v) Asaba Genocide Memorial Cenotaph/Museum & Tourist sites.
vi) New Permanent Royal Palace and Asaba Civil Center
The summit is convinced of the fact that the challenges and difficulties facing the realization of the above Asaba development agenda are real pressing development factors, in the same vein, the summit was not ignorant of existing potential development opportunities, and looks forward to a progressive partnership with power-brokers, gate-keepers, opinion leaders and policy makers who hold the ace to these opportunities.
The summit recommends that the major drivers of the 6-Point Asaba Development Agenda will be the leadership of Asaba Youth Age-Grades, Asaba Youth Organizations, Community-Based Organizations, Religions and Social Groups, Political bodies, Asaba Scholastical and Graduate groups, with the leadership of Asaba-based women group (Umu-Ada and Ikpoho Ogbe) playing supervisory and advisory roles, as well as the community elders (Out-Ihaza, Ichie-okwa, etc) with their watchful tentacles, they will execute wise judgment and extend reward/punishment as the case may be.
The summit agreed that all youth leaders/ actors who will be involved in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the 6-Point Asaba Development Agenda, must first be identified by the leadership of the A.D.U youth wing and have them declare in writing their interest and preparedness to work under the watchful supervision of the youth wing leadership, with all required humility and commitment the task presents.
These youth leaders/actors will then undergo capacity building workshops to expose them to the challenges ahead of them. No youth will be part of these development agenda without passing through the training process. The summit holds that both public and private sector will be approached for partnership.
The summit approved the first level of community-based partnership to include: Asagba in Council; Olinzele Chiefs; Otu-Ihaza; Ochokoloma, Okwulagwe age-grades; Out-Omu; Umu-Ada; Ikpoho-Ogbe, Asaba-based social clubs. The second level of community-based partnership will include the Local Government Council; the State Government; Corporate Organizations; Media Organizations, Civil Society Groups and International Agencies.
The summit mandates the A.D.U-Youth Wing Leadership to embark on progressive partnership program with both the public & private sectors and to seek creative means to raise independent-funds for the sake of the 6-point agenda, and secure partnership and funding from international Organizations, embassies, Ahaba Sons and daughters, their friends/ associates who desire the town’s development.
The summit suggest that the National Youth leadership should be empowered, to tour other cities where Ahaba youths reside for sensitizing them on the 6-point agenda and seeking opportunity to set their mind back to ADU for better communal fellowship & love.
The summit recommends that No Ahaba Youth with active or passive cult involvement will be permitted to participate in the leadership of the Youth Wing. The youth wing must demonstrate zero-tolerance towards cult membership and activitics. Asaba must come forward cleaner.
Mokolo Vincent …….Summit Communiqué Drafting Committee Leader
Chukwurah Ubaka Henry…Summit
Comrade Okonta Emeka Okelum…ADU-Youth Wing, National President +2347063557099
The best time to partner with the civil society is now…….Prince Sam Obi
The acting Governor of Delta State
Prince Obi urged the eagle Chaplain Corps to execute seriously its major objective of checking the cankerworm and decay ravaging secondary schools in the state so that there will be discipline in all post primary institutions.
Asserting that no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of chaos he charged non-Governmental organizations to intervene in crisis ridden communities so that they will embrace dialogue and peace.
The acting Governor said he was excited over the spiritual role Eagle Chaplain Corps promised to play in the State and stressed the importance of prayers in the economic wellbeing of the people.
Emphasizing further, Prince Obi said “prayers are important. I am a pastor and I believe in the powers of prayers, pursue this noble objective vigorously to lift the State higher”
He said prayers were instruments of intervention and praised the Commandant General of the Corps Mr. Sylvester Obi for the initiative.
In his speech, the Chaplain Commandant General Mr. Sylvester Obi said the Corps has the desire to stamp out indiscipline in Post Primary Institutions in the State.
Mr. Obi said Eagle Chaplain Corps have the training to reduce the abnormality in schools as well as preach the word of God to build up student’s moral values.
He also promised that the Chaplain Corps will visit hospitals and pray for the sick explaining that most sickness have spiritual backing.
The Commandant explained that the Chaplain Corps will act as faith councilor to patients with terminal deceases.
NEWS REPORT PERTAINING TO DELTA STATE GOVERNORSHIP RE-RUN ON JANUARY 6, 2011 PORTENDS DANGER FOR US ALL
Information reaching us from media and individual sources suggest that some unscrupulous INEC and PDP officials are again, greasing their diabolical machinery aimed at defrauding the good people of Anioma of their chance of having a duly elected governor in the forth coming Governorship election re-run.
Please click on link below to read relevant news story.
We fear that a repeat of the unconstitutional process that led to the occupation of the state House at Asaba for three years by an unelected Governor is about to be repeated.
The implications of having a leadership foisted on our people this time around are too dire even to contemplate. A leader who emerges against the popular will of the people is bound to bring about disunity, squabbles and would spend the state’s resources buying support to the neglect of the genuine needs of our people which include infrastructural development, health and social care and job opportunities for our teeming unemployed young graduates and school leavers.
We wish to state for the record, that based on the preceding, we, in Umu Anioma Foundation have taken necessary steps to pre-empt any action that might steal the votes of our people by conducting a poll aimed at finding out the wishes of the people of Delta North Senatorial District as it pertains to the Governorship election re-run slated for the 6th of January, 2011
We conducted online polls using the UmuAnioma Yahoo group’s poll feature as well survey/poll on SurveyMonkey.com and both results are consistent with the in-person polls we conducted with our family and friends in the grassroots.
The result as collated on SurveyMonkey.com is shown below for your review. Needless to say, the data speaks for itself.
Therefore, any Abracadabra by INEC and unscrupulous “agents of darkness” Anioma indigenes to rob the people of their God given innate right to choose their own leaders will portend dangers for us; the perpetrators; our children; and their own children too.
We are appalled that till date, INEC has not produced a credible voter’s register nor made any effort to register voters since the annulment of the 2007 election.
If any result posted for Delta North Senatorial District is anything different from Anioma people’s will as shown in the poll below, then the likelihood exists that there may NEVER be any more elections in Delta North; Delta State; and indeed in Nigeria. We are however hopeful that Prof. Attahiru Jega would take appropriate steps at this juncture to ensure that our good people of Anioma land are not disenfranchised and the impending danger to us all is avoided.
As a responsible Organization whose sole aim is to promote the general welfare of Anioma people worldwide, we will not sit aside and allow the bad eggs amongst us to sell all our futures for a pot of porridge or allow outsiders for that matter to decide for us who our leaders ought to be.
Please be assured that we are willing to do whatever is absolutely necessary to ensure that NEVER again will our people’s will be thwarted by agents of darkness. We are committed to resisting any attempts to disenfranchise us again by ANY means necessary.
In addition, we are offering a handsome reward for anyone with credible information and evidence to show rigging and manipulation of any kind during the upcoming Delta State Governorship Re-run on January 6, 2011.
Please contact us by sending an e-mail to: info@UmuAnioma.com or by calling +1-770-979-0383
You can remain anonymous and any information that we obtain from you will be given to the appropriate authorities.
For avoidance of any doubt posted below is the result of the poll conducted for the upcoming Delta State Re -run.
About Umu Anioma Foundation:
Umu Anioma Foundation Inc. is a non-profit Organization governed by a board of directors. Umu Anioma Foundation Inc. was incorporated under Georgia
Ofu Obi Bu Ike Anyi!
Lauretta Onochie
Publicity Secretary
Prince Emmanuel O. Ohai
Convener and Chairman, Umu Anioma Foundation Tuesday, December 28, 2010
IGBOS - IT’S TIME TO TAKE STOCK - WAKE UP!!!
Those who have read the book “Cry the beloved country” (story about South Africa at the ebb of political turbulence) - by Alan Paton, may want to use a similar phrase for the Igbo Nation - in words such as “Cry the beloved nation.” In Cry the beloved country, A black country preacher went to Johannesburg seeking his brother, sister, and son, and found a chaotic world torn by racial politics. Aided by a noble minister, he finds that his three relations have become a revolutionary, a prostitute, and a murderer. Salvaging what he could of the family, he returns to the countryside to try to begin life anew.
For many Igbos, the picture painted above may be similar to what is happening at this time as Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Assassinations, lynching, envy, greed, lack of love, looting of government treasury, lack of jobs and vocations for the youth, infrastructure, amenities, etc., for the people, seem to have taken over Igbo land. However, the question we should be asking ourselves is mainly this - What remains to be salvaged in the midst of the atrocities listed above and others not mentioned. As we keep that thought and question in mind, let us move a step further.
Igbo forums, associations, yahoo groups, etc. have created beautiful and wonderful platforms for many Igbo - both erudite, commonsensical, not so erudite, the academia, journalists, professors, lawyers, engineers, doctors, accountants, teachers, etc., both in Nigeria, and in the Diaspora to put mind and thought together regarding events in our country Nigeria in general and Igbo land in particular. The forums created and those who have founded them are laudable as well as commendable. On the other hand, according to many critics, certain language usage on these forums has become a source of concern to peace - loving personalities and individuals. Some of the words spoken leave a lot of room for questioning and doubts as to whether they are serving the right purposes and indeed progressing the causes, unity, and progress, for which the forums are intended and created,
Some people use these forums for name-calling, abusive language, incendiaries, invectives, that would cause others to wonder in disbelief. Both those who call and are called names have children, relatives and are Igbos as well. The question arises as to whether well-meaning people should be washing their dirty linens in public? Subjective criticisms, name - calling, fruitless arguments without solutions will not lead the Igbo nation anywhere in the Nigerian polity at this time. It is time to cease from the overdrawn debates, show-off of academic qualifications, grammatical aggrandizement, fault-finding, finger-pointing, who-will-win-the-debate syndrome, who-speaks-the-better-English syndrome and other syndromes that have retrogressed the Igbos - (particularly Imo Igbos) in the Nigerian polity.
Internet forums, groups, associations, etc. should be platforms for progressive debates, suggestions and recommendations for problem-solving processes, unity, progress and teaching the youth and our children the way to go. This is because our children are watching and they are good readers as well.
We cannot continue to pursue or trail the same unyielding routes in our discourses every year and expect to make progress. If a route is not yielding good harvest, it is to be closed or modified, whichever is more productive and cost-effective. Based on certain behavioral manifestations of some Igbos, it is then not surprising that the Igbo are yet to be recognized as catalysts of political change by powerful nations. This is because many have refused to look beyond their faces. Some have refused to follow the light at the end of the tunnel. Others have become very individualistic to their own detriment as they continually refuse to see the good in others. Many find it difficult to cooperate or work well with others. Everyone wants to be captain of the ship. These people tend to forget that too many captains drown the ship. They have refused to be cooperative. They talk about being their “brothers’ keepers and at the slightest provocation will become brothers’ kdnappers. Furthermore, the wealthy do not look out for the poor and as a result, the poor does not seem to care about the wealthy. For these and other reasons, the Igbo nation is faced presently, with anarchy, kidnapping, 419, armed robbery, etc., etc.
Many progressive nations have realized the power behind “The Law” and Culture. Not so, for Igbos who have no written law or legally-binding instruments, yet are ready to assimilate any foreign culture with the hunger of a wolf. They want to speak English better than the Englishman does. As a result many of their children including mine cannot speak Igbo very well. They were so willing and quick to abandon their culture during colonization to their peril. The Hausas have ingrained Sharia and their written law into the Nigerian constitution and laws of the nation. Yorubas have written law - researched and ingrained into the Nigerian legal system. Igbos where are yours? Many of you are erudite scholars, highly intelligent individuals, yet delight in castigating each other instead of working together for progress. “If it is not me, it cannot be some-one-else syndrome has eaten into the fabric of the nation. “If it is not Orlu it cannot be Owerri or Mbano or Mbaise.” “If it is not Mbaise, it cannot be Mbaitolu,” etc., etc.” These syndromes are ruining Igbo political system, if there is one. It is time for change.
Suffice then to ask the following questions now. Nd’Igbo, who are your heroes? Who are your benefactors? Who are your founding fathers? Who are your mentors? You say “Igbo enwegh eze,” What happened to your “Council of Nzes” How come you have that word “Eze” in your language, if the position did not exist? Those who invented the phrase of lack of leadership or rulership commenced the setting up of anarchy in the Igbo nation, unfortunately. Even now, Igbos still fail to acknowledge their heroes. Who are your The Igbo leaders? To many of you, Zik was not good, Ibiam, Okpara, Mbadiwe, (may their heroic souls rest in peace) were not good enough, Ojukwu is not good, who is good? Who do you fear? No-one? Not god? This is unfortunate. However, the fact remains and is glaring that progressive people and nations acquire their inspiration, motivation, and goal-attainment vigor through positive emulation, of attributes of their passed heroes, leaders, mentors, benefactors, generations. Is it not because we lacked positive emulation that the children who are criminals did not imbibe those attributes, mores, character, culture, nationalistic tendencies to be humane and forward-looking individuals? Is it then surprising that many youths have now formed a major and integral part of a nation where anything goes and nothing can be done about it? Is it perplexing that many have found recourse and fulfillment in vices such as cultism, armed robbery, 419, kidnapping of parents, siblings, and relatives (to get rich quick), prostitution, looting of government treasury, etc. Is this because “Igbos have no eze,” no law or binding legal system, no taboos, lack respect, discipline, and fear and therefore, anything goes and many parents did not portray themselves as their children’s heroes?”
Notwithstanding the seeming helplessness of the situation described above, not all is lost. America for example, started with some native Americans, a few colonists, no unifying laws and no constitution. Today, it is the greatest country in the world, despite the economic meltdown. It did not happen in a day. America listened to heroes, developed a culture of containment, assimilation of all entities, worked with inventors, talented people, erudite people, laws, pacts, agreements, legal / binding contract-signings, and the spirit of nationhood. American schoolbooks and literature are rife, preponderant and overflowing with stories of American heroes past and present. American society is one of hero-worship. Nd’Igbo cannot change the course of nature. Not everyone can be a national hero. That is the truth of the matter. However, identify and name your heroes, tell their stories for your children to emulate. In addition, Igbo parents must endeavor to be heroes to your children and not “villains, kidnappers, looters of government coffers, and / or thieves. In addition, heroism does not come in one gender. United Kingdom also has heroes. It has the strongest dynasty headed by a woman. This is because heroism and bravery does not discriminate. We must acknowledge talent and worship our heroes, whether they be male or female. Hero-worship builds positive attributes. Mahatma Ghandi, American presidents, inventors, Nobel laureates, astronauts, national leaders, Ben Gurion of Israel, Mandella of South Africa, Nkrumah of Ghana, Aguiyi Ironsi, Muritala Mohammed, Othman Dan Fodio, Awolowo, Zik, of Nigeria, Golda Meir of Israel, and so many, many others living or dead were and are heroes, worthy of note. Thieves, looters, killers, kidnappers are never heroes no matter how their pictures are modified or painted. Nd’Igbo must have heroes for our children’s positive advancement.
One more thing, it is also a case of concern that the Nd’Igbo have the largest turn out of cultural organizations. Every town wants to segregate itself from its neighbor for financial gains. This is ruining Igbo progress. However, it is commendable that recently many are beginning to see the positive attributes of coming together instead of disintegration. Indeed, it is high time the Nd’Igbo started seeing themselves as one physical and spiritual nation. Forget not that disintegration breeds disunity. It is not by happenstance that you all speak one language. Nature has a reason for that to happen. “Oh, he or she is from Anambra, or from Imo so I cannot deal with him or her” is another very bad syndrome. The time has come for Igbos like the Jews, the Europeans, and many other nations begin to see themselves as one, if they really desire progress and change. No matter where the Yorubas or Hausas are is in the world, they work together and see themselves as Omo Yoruba or Dan Arewa, respectively. Many Nd’Igbo on the other hand see themselves as from Imo, Anambra, Akwa-Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Cross-river, Bayelsa, etc. To be progressive and to cease from the underdog stature in Nigerian politics, this mentality needs a reverse. If you speak Igbo, you are IGBO. No human-created or imposed boundary can change that. Coming together will give you more power, more influence, recognition, and dignity. Disintegration, and disassociating will only lead to segregation and isolationist tendencies. We should remember that The European Union recognizes the power and strength in pulling resources and population together. Igbos must emulate positive tendencies and process, when they happen.
Great nations were built on unity of purpose, clear goals, heroism, discipline, clear opportunities for all citizens, laws, rules, regulations, agreement, culture, and not on selfishness, greed, avarice, indiscipline, individualism, anarchy, “winner takes all” effect, etc. Thus, it is indeed time for the Igbo people to set standards, and guidelines for rulership and leadership. It is time for the people to demand good education, vocation, and labor, for their children and youth. It is time to demand salary and payment at appropriate time for the workers, parents and heads of households, Government money is not private property to be shared among friends or between family members. Money meant for industries, salaries, infrastructure, vocation, labor, jobs, seem to be concentrated in the hands of individuals. That is why in Imo State and all over Nigeria, private homes are sprouting up like flowers in spring and summer while schools are dilapidated, and the youths are jobless. This is because money is held in private hands as liquid cash. That is also, why people are able to bring out tens of millions of naira when their relatives are kidnapped. As a result, kidnapping is thriving and the perpetrators know this. If the liquid cash is plunged into building industries, providing jobs, building requisite infrastructure, there will be no ready liquid cash for armed robbers and kidnappers and these crimes will minimize. In fact, money is worth more when it is used to build, advance and progress humans and society.
My people, the time is now for deliberate and quiet revolutions in many aspects of Igbo life and culture in order to give the nationhood the dignity deserving of it. Without doing this, the IGBO nation and all of the South East of Nigeria will continue to be in perpetual anarchy and turmoil. We must recognize heroes. Pave new ways and routes to move forward. The time is now for a reawakening to revolutionize culture, create and produce our written laws that will be integrated into the national legal system. It is time to refuse looters and thieves as leaders and rulers. It is time to be heroes for our children. It is the time to build and stop tearing down. The time is now to take stock. We have slept for too long. We must wake up.
If I say that I'm impressed with this unprecedented pieces of advice to my Igbo people, I minimize the importance of the time, energy and effort that you put into this wonderful, cerebral discourse. If I didn't know you very well, I may have fallen into the usual shameful, chauvinistic, tired machismo and macho temptation of thinking that this may have been the handiwork of my menfolk who continue to dominate and bestride Igboland today like a Collosus. Isn't time to try our women on the corridors of power. But I know you very well. I'm proud to have been associated with you at our Imo Association, NY where I've watched how you tackle every issue with characteristic aplomb. I know the quality, the pain, the finesse, thoughfulness and thoroghness you bring to any subject that you handle. You may have set out to advice our people but inadvertently ended up giving them a "Bible" a GPS to get out of the irretrievable quagmire of confusion, directionless they have fallen into. Currently, Igbo land can be likened to a rudderless ship in a tempestous sea. I'm surprised that you did not emphasize that we have superceded our Yoruba neighbors as the worst noisemakers in the world today. The difference however is that while we share this commonality, we have nothing to show for it. The only good thing that comes out of this shameful exuberance is that we have elevatdd it to a profession called, Otimkpu. Hence, you now watch in desperation, young and old chorusing and extoling the qualities of thieves and looters in our midst. What a shame! The day of reckoning is around the corner.
Thank you for this piece. I have already printed and saved in my drawer and will treasure it all my life. May I however put a little damper to your commendable effort. I doubt very much that they will read it. Music played to the deaf is a lost music.
Thank you McLord for seeing the difference in Dr. Emihe's essay as opposed to others that have hidden agenda in their writing. Some were sent to write, others write to attract attention, while others write to impress. Emihe, by this writing, wrote out of the abundant of her heart as she touched knowns and unknowns, the speakables and unspeakables alike.
I have known Emihe for a while now but recently have worked closely with her as she serves as the chairperson of Education committee of our cherished Imo Association and a member of our political activities committee where she is the secretary. As the education committee Chair, she just handed me a ten page memo of her road map towards the activities of the committee. Dr. Emihe, though physically shy, is mentally upbeat and averse on diverse issues as can be deduced from the present essay.
She spoke like the old prophets who first spell out doom but later come with a consolation. She admonished Nd'Igbo at the beginning for their verses but later consoles them and proffers solutions. She calls for a revolution, a different kind of revolution. Not the kind that comes with maming and destruction but a deliberate and quiet revolutions in many aspects of Igbo life and culture. This sounds like the Jesus message of his kingdom and kingship which was very much misunderstood in the world of his time. A revolution without human cost is truly not easy to understand in the world of our time. Specifically she says it is time to be heroes of our children, time to refuse looters and thieves as leaders and rulers, time to build and stop tearing down, time to take stock, time for awakening to revolutionize our culture and produce our written laws that will be integrated into our national legal system, among others.
Her call may not be the first in nature or of its kind but the more things are happening, the more the very obvious start to make more sense. Igbo used to have Ofo na Ogu which guided their actions both in private and in public. Since the later have been systematically destroyed, maybe the call for a formal written law of the land (the so called customary laws) may be in order.
Those who have read the book “Cry the beloved country” (story about South Africa at the ebb of political turbulence) - by Alan Paton, may want to use a similar phrase for the Igbo Nation - in words such as “Cry the beloved nation.” In Cry the beloved country, A black country preacher went to Johannesburg seeking his brother, sister, and son, and found a chaotic world torn by racial politics. Aided by a noble minister, he finds that his three relations have become a revolutionary, a prostitute, and a murderer. Salvaging what he could of the family, he returns to the countryside to try to begin life anew.
For many Igbos, the picture painted above may be similar to what is happening at this time as Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Assassinations, lynching, envy, greed, lack of love, looting of government treasury, lack of jobs and vocations for the youth, infrastructure, amenities, etc., for the people, seem to have taken over Igbo land. However, the question we should be asking ourselves is mainly this - What remains to be salvaged in the midst of the atrocities listed above and others not mentioned. As we keep that thought and question in mind, let us move a step further.
Igbo forums, associations, yahoo groups, etc. have created beautiful and wonderful platforms for many Igbo - both erudite, commonsensical, not so erudite, the academia, journalists, professors, lawyers, engineers, doctors, accountants, teachers, etc., both in Nigeria, and in the Diaspora to put mind and thought together regarding events in our country Nigeria in general and Igbo land in particular. The forums created and those who have founded them are laudable as well as commendable. On the other hand, according to many critics, certain language usage on these forums has become a source of concern to peace - loving personalities and individuals. Some of the words spoken leave a lot of room for questioning and doubts as to whether they are serving the right purposes and indeed progressing the causes, unity, and progress, for which the forums are intended and created,
Some people use these forums for name-calling, abusive language, incendiaries, invectives, that would cause others to wonder in disbelief. Both those who call and are called names have children, relatives and are Igbos as well. The question arises as to whether well-meaning people should be washing their dirty linens in public? Subjective criticisms, name - calling, fruitless arguments without solutions will not lead the Igbo nation anywhere in the Nigerian polity at this time. It is time to cease from the overdrawn debates, show-off of academic qualifications, grammatical aggrandizement, fault-finding, finger-pointing, who-will-win-the-debate syndrome, who-speaks-the-better-English syndrome and other syndromes that have retrogressed the Igbos - (particularly Imo Igbos) in the Nigerian polity.
Internet forums, groups, associations, etc. should be platforms for progressive debates, suggestions and recommendations for problem-solving processes, unity, progress and teaching the youth and our children the way to go. This is because our children are watching and they are good readers as well.
We cannot continue to pursue or trail the same unyielding routes in our discourses every year and expect to make progress. If a route is not yielding good harvest, it is to be closed or modified, whichever is more productive and cost-effective. Based on certain behavioral manifestations of some Igbos, it is then not surprising that the Igbo are yet to be recognized as catalysts of political change by powerful nations. This is because many have refused to look beyond their faces. Some have refused to follow the light at the end of the tunnel. Others have become very individualistic to their own detriment as they continually refuse to see the good in others. Many find it difficult to cooperate or work well with others. Everyone wants to be captain of the ship. These people tend to forget that too many captains drown the ship. They have refused to be cooperative. They talk about being their “brothers’ keepers and at the slightest provocation will become brothers’ kdnappers. Furthermore, the wealthy do not look out for the poor and as a result, the poor does not seem to care about the wealthy. For these and other reasons, the Igbo nation is faced presently, with anarchy, kidnapping, 419, armed robbery, etc., etc.
Many progressive nations have realized the power behind “The Law” and Culture. Not so, for Igbos who have no written law or legally-binding instruments, yet are ready to assimilate any foreign culture with the hunger of a wolf. They want to speak English better than the Englishman does. As a result many of their children including mine cannot speak Igbo very well. They were so willing and quick to abandon their culture during colonization to their peril. The Hausas have ingrained Sharia and their written law into the Nigerian constitution and laws of the nation. Yorubas have written law - researched and ingrained into the Nigerian legal system. Igbos where are yours? Many of you are erudite scholars, highly intelligent individuals, yet delight in castigating each other instead of working together for progress. “If it is not me, it cannot be some-one-else syndrome has eaten into the fabric of the nation. “If it is not Orlu it cannot be Owerri or Mbano or Mbaise.” “If it is not Mbaise, it cannot be Mbaitolu,” etc., etc.” These syndromes are ruining Igbo political system, if there is one. It is time for change.
Suffice then to ask the following questions now. Nd’Igbo, who are your heroes? Who are your benefactors? Who are your founding fathers? Who are your mentors? You say “Igbo enwegh eze,” What happened to your “Council of Nzes” How come you have that word “Eze” in your language, if the position did not exist? Those who invented the phrase of lack of leadership or rulership commenced the setting up of anarchy in the Igbo nation, unfortunately. Even now, Igbos still fail to acknowledge their heroes. Who are your The Igbo leaders? To many of you, Zik was not good, Ibiam, Okpara, Mbadiwe, (may their heroic souls rest in peace) were not good enough, Ojukwu is not good, who is good? Who do you fear? No-one? Not god? This is unfortunate. However, the fact remains and is glaring that progressive people and nations acquire their inspiration, motivation, and goal-attainment vigor through positive emulation, of attributes of their passed heroes, leaders, mentors, benefactors, generations. Is it not because we lacked positive emulation that the children who are criminals did not imbibe those attributes, mores, character, culture, nationalistic tendencies to be humane and forward-looking individuals? Is it then surprising that many youths have now formed a major and integral part of a nation where anything goes and nothing can be done about it? Is it perplexing that many have found recourse and fulfillment in vices such as cultism, armed robbery, 419, kidnapping of parents, siblings, and relatives (to get rich quick), prostitution, looting of government treasury, etc. Is this because “Igbos have no eze,” no law or binding legal system, no taboos, lack respect, discipline, and fear and therefore, anything goes and many parents did not portray themselves as their children’s heroes?”
Notwithstanding the seeming helplessness of the situation described above, not all is lost. America for example, started with some native Americans, a few colonists, no unifying laws and no constitution. Today, it is the greatest country in the world, despite the economic meltdown. It did not happen in a day. America listened to heroes, developed a culture of containment, assimilation of all entities, worked with inventors, talented people, erudite people, laws, pacts, agreements, legal / binding contract-signings, and the spirit of nationhood. American schoolbooks and literature are rife, preponderant and overflowing with stories of American heroes past and present. American society is one of hero-worship. Nd’Igbo cannot change the course of nature. Not everyone can be a national hero. That is the truth of the matter. However, identify and name your heroes, tell their stories for your children to emulate. In addition, Igbo parents must endeavor to be heroes to your children and not “villains, kidnappers, looters of government coffers, and / or thieves. In addition, heroism does not come in one gender. United Kingdom also has heroes. It has the strongest dynasty headed by a woman. This is because heroism and bravery does not discriminate. We must acknowledge talent and worship our heroes, whether they be male or female. Hero-worship builds positive attributes. Mahatma Ghandi, American presidents, inventors, Nobel laureates, astronauts, national leaders, Ben Gurion of Israel, Mandella of South Africa, Nkrumah of Ghana, Aguiyi Ironsi, Muritala Mohammed, Othman Dan Fodio, Awolowo, Zik, of Nigeria, Golda Meir of Israel, and so many, many others living or dead were and are heroes, worthy of note. Thieves, looters, killers, kidnappers are never heroes no matter how their pictures are modified or painted. Nd’Igbo must have heroes for our children’s positive advancement.
One more thing, it is also a case of concern that the Nd’Igbo have the largest turn out of cultural organizations. Every town wants to segregate itself from its neighbor for financial gains. This is ruining Igbo progress. However, it is commendable that recently many are beginning to see the positive attributes of coming together instead of disintegration. Indeed, it is high time the Nd’Igbo started seeing themselves as one physical and spiritual nation. Forget not that disintegration breeds disunity. It is not by happenstance that you all speak one language. Nature has a reason for that to happen. “Oh, he or she is from Anambra, or from Imo so I cannot deal with him or her” is another very bad syndrome. The time has come for Igbos like the Jews, the Europeans, and many other nations begin to see themselves as one, if they really desire progress and change. No matter where the Yorubas or Hausas are is in the world, they work together and see themselves as Omo Yoruba or Dan Arewa, respectively. Many Nd’Igbo on the other hand see themselves as from Imo, Anambra, Akwa-Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Cross-river, Bayelsa, etc. To be progressive and to cease from the underdog stature in Nigerian politics, this mentality needs a reverse. If you speak Igbo, you are IGBO. No human-created or imposed boundary can change that. Coming together will give you more power, more influence, recognition, and dignity. Disintegration, and disassociating will only lead to segregation and isolationist tendencies. We should remember that The European Union recognizes the power and strength in pulling resources and population together. Igbos must emulate positive tendencies and process, when they happen.
Great nations were built on unity of purpose, clear goals, heroism, discipline, clear opportunities for all citizens, laws, rules, regulations, agreement, culture, and not on selfishness, greed, avarice, indiscipline, individualism, anarchy, “winner takes all” effect, etc. Thus, it is indeed time for the Igbo people to set standards, and guidelines for rulership and leadership. It is time for the people to demand good education, vocation, and labor, for their children and youth. It is time to demand salary and payment at appropriate time for the workers, parents and heads of households, Government money is not private property to be shared among friends or between family members. Money meant for industries, salaries, infrastructure, vocation, labor, jobs, seem to be concentrated in the hands of individuals. That is why in Imo State and all over Nigeria, private homes are sprouting up like flowers in spring and summer while schools are dilapidated, and the youths are jobless. This is because money is held in private hands as liquid cash. That is also, why people are able to bring out tens of millions of naira when their relatives are kidnapped. As a result, kidnapping is thriving and the perpetrators know this. If the liquid cash is plunged into building industries, providing jobs, building requisite infrastructure, there will be no ready liquid cash for armed robbers and kidnappers and these crimes will minimize. In fact, money is worth more when it is used to build, advance and progress humans and society.
My people, the time is now for deliberate and quiet revolutions in many aspects of Igbo life and culture in order to give the nationhood the dignity deserving of it. Without doing this, the IGBO nation and all of the South East of Nigeria will continue to be in perpetual anarchy and turmoil. We must recognize heroes. Pave new ways and routes to move forward. The time is now for a reawakening to revolutionize culture, create and produce our written laws that will be integrated into the national legal system. It is time to refuse looters and thieves as leaders and rulers. It is time to be heroes for our children. It is the time to build and stop tearing down. The time is now to take stock. We have slept for too long. We must wake up.
I Do Not Care what anybody says, but a Call Without The Coming Together of Honest Minds, will make the Call redaundant!! Yes, in order to make any Progress, we MUST sign up to get together, else it will still be our Usuals: OKE NA OHIA, NGWERI NA UZO!! Some will call this mindset, "Igbo Republican Nature", and I will call it Retrogressive Mindset!! MAKANA GIDI-GIDI WU UGWU EZE.
Absolutely Nothing takes place towards Progress and Development without Our Coming Together as a Grand Beginning; followed by Working together as a group with Sound ideas, as a Process; and subsequently followed with Execution of the Sound Ideas so Refined, in order to make any Tangible Progress and Development!!
We, as Ndi-Igbo, definitely cannot achieve all of the above, if some of us are Very Dishonest, and prefer to Operate Under Masks!! These Kinds Not being Real to themselves and to their own people. If some of us are just intersted in false and empty Positions and titles to boost deflated ego, in these unions of Togetherness; and if some come with hidden agenda, Jealousy, Envy, and Dirty hands.
Nevertheless, those who volunteer their time to Honestly answer this kind of Call are, in my book, Honorable Men and Women Ndi-Igbo Ji Aga Mba!! Idealogy may differ, but Let the Mission of IGBO EMANCIPATION Remain the Main Goalof Focus. Therefore, other unions can also Emerge to Merge at certain Point in time, when All of us get More Educated!! Otoiheoma Egbe.
Stop politicising Ugbowo-Uselu road contract, Ogiemwonyi cautions Oshiomhole
Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, has cautioned Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, not to politicise the termination of the Ugbowo-Uselu road contract.
A statement at the weekend by Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Taye Akinyemi, urged Oshimhole “not to unduly politicise just for the purpose of gaining undue publicity”.
It said the ministry needed to state the facts of the case so that an issue that concerns the welfare and wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians was not unduly politicised just for the purpose of gaining undue publicity.
The statement reads in party: “It is on record that the Federal Government has put in place a policy that encourages state governments to undertake repairs/reconstruction of roads within their jurisdiction in the effort to strengthen and sustain infrastructural development across the country.
“It is also on record that many state governments across the nation have taken advantage of this policy and are working in close collaboration with the ministry in the endeavour to improve our road network.
“However, this policy is hinged on the fact that before commencement of work on each project on federal roads, approval must be sought and obtained from the ministry and each project must be carried out in compliance with the ministry’s specification and standard.
“It is in the light of the above that the Hon. Minister of State for Works, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, only reiterated an existing government policy.
“It is therefore unexpected that an issue meant to strengthen an existing government policy could be given so many interpretations that defy simple logic.
“Since public private partnership is a policy of government, it would appear contradictory to discourage any authority or ministry, department and agency from implementing projects that would enhance the quality of life of the citizenry.
A statement at the weekend by Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Taye Akinyemi, urged Oshimhole “not to unduly politicise just for the purpose of gaining undue publicity”.
It said the ministry needed to state the facts of the case so that an issue that concerns the welfare and wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians was not unduly politicised just for the purpose of gaining undue publicity.
The statement reads in party: “It is on record that the Federal Government has put in place a policy that encourages state governments to undertake repairs/reconstruction of roads within their jurisdiction in the effort to strengthen and sustain infrastructural development across the country.
“It is also on record that many state governments across the nation have taken advantage of this policy and are working in close collaboration with the ministry in the endeavour to improve our road network.
“However, this policy is hinged on the fact that before commencement of work on each project on federal roads, approval must be sought and obtained from the ministry and each project must be carried out in compliance with the ministry’s specification and standard.
“It is in the light of the above that the Hon. Minister of State for Works, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, only reiterated an existing government policy.
“It is therefore unexpected that an issue meant to strengthen an existing government policy could be given so many interpretations that defy simple logic.
“Since public private partnership is a policy of government, it would appear contradictory to discourage any authority or ministry, department and agency from implementing projects that would enhance the quality of life of the citizenry.
N138m debt: Bank may sell ex-minister’s property
A mortgage bank, Aso Savings and Loans Limited, has threatened to sell the property of a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Ibrahim Kazaure, at No. 75, 4th Avenue, Gwarimpa II Estate following the alleged inability of the ex-minister to repay a N138m debt.
The bank’s position was contained in a letter from its lawyers, Ugwu-Anichi & Co. A copy of the letter was obtained by The Punch on Monday. The mortgage bank had accused the former minister of not re-paying the loan in spite of repeated demands, since he took the loan in 2008.
Kazaure, a former Nigerian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, had mortgaged the residential property as collateral for the loan.
In the letter dated December 22, 2010, Kazaure, a former chairman of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, obtained the loan in two tranches of N32m in January to purchase the property located in upscale Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, where he is now resident and another N68m to complete a residential building in Kano in December, 2008.
But the ex-minister was said to have failed to re-pay the N100m loan and the accrued interest, which had risen to N138,897, 303.73 as at December 14, 2010.
THE PUNCH learnt that the decision to sell the house was the bank’s last resort, as efforts by its officials, including letters and personal visits, to get the former ambassador to repay the loan were not successful.
In one instance, officials of the bank were said to have visited him in his office while he was still minister to plead with him to re-pay the debt. They said it was leading to queries by external auditors and examiners from the Central Bank of Nigeria, but he allegedly walked them out of his office for having the effrontery to demand the re-payment of the debt.
The bank also sent him another demand letter after he was removed from the cabinet by President Goodluck Jonathan, to which he responded with a request to be given 90 days from August 19, 2010 to re-pay the debt.
“I would like to plead with you to allow me to finish and sell some of my properties undergoing renovation, i.e. one of my duplexes in (Sun City), No 1 Benue Street and others in another location. I would be very grateful if allowed a time of 90 days within which all this processes will be completed,” Kazaure pleaded in his letter to his creditor.
The bank’s position was contained in a letter from its lawyers, Ugwu-Anichi & Co. A copy of the letter was obtained by The Punch on Monday. The mortgage bank had accused the former minister of not re-paying the loan in spite of repeated demands, since he took the loan in 2008.
Kazaure, a former Nigerian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, had mortgaged the residential property as collateral for the loan.
In the letter dated December 22, 2010, Kazaure, a former chairman of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, obtained the loan in two tranches of N32m in January to purchase the property located in upscale Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, where he is now resident and another N68m to complete a residential building in Kano in December, 2008.
But the ex-minister was said to have failed to re-pay the N100m loan and the accrued interest, which had risen to N138,897, 303.73 as at December 14, 2010.
THE PUNCH learnt that the decision to sell the house was the bank’s last resort, as efforts by its officials, including letters and personal visits, to get the former ambassador to repay the loan were not successful.
In one instance, officials of the bank were said to have visited him in his office while he was still minister to plead with him to re-pay the debt. They said it was leading to queries by external auditors and examiners from the Central Bank of Nigeria, but he allegedly walked them out of his office for having the effrontery to demand the re-payment of the debt.
The bank also sent him another demand letter after he was removed from the cabinet by President Goodluck Jonathan, to which he responded with a request to be given 90 days from August 19, 2010 to re-pay the debt.
“I would like to plead with you to allow me to finish and sell some of my properties undergoing renovation, i.e. one of my duplexes in (Sun City), No 1 Benue Street and others in another location. I would be very grateful if allowed a time of 90 days within which all this processes will be completed,” Kazaure pleaded in his letter to his creditor.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)