(OPINION) For The Attention Of Igbo Leaders – By Great Imo Jonathan

It is obvious that they are hugely misled to believe that we are just interested in what they’ve’ got. A lot of propaganda has been deployed over the years to tarnish our image before these our brothers.

First, permit me to inform you that in this article South East is interchangeably used with the Igbo Nation.

On that note let me start by appreciating all Igbo leaders; political and none political alike, for their role in advancing the Igbo nation. Despite the challenges facing you in the Nigeria of today and the many unfulfilled expectations of our people and the generality of Nigerians, one can still say that you are doing your best (at least to the best of your abilities and constraints). There are outstanding Igbo leaders who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour. God bless you.

I must acknowledge that the impact of the civil war is still weighing heavily against the Igbo elite. As it stands today, leadership in Igbo land is based on self effort, the individual being able to create a space by himself, and from which he can attempt to offer leadership whether solicited or not. Because to my knowledge as part of the younger generation, as at this moment, there is hardly any strategic agenda or roadmap for discovering, nurturing and deploying leaders in Igbo land. And that is unfortunate.

That notwithstanding, the effort of those leading the various entities representing the Igbo nation and those who in their personal capacities have affected the cause of an average Igbo man positively must be appreciated.

But going forward, the present crop of Igbo leaders must raise up to their responsibilities and ensure that they move the Igbo nation forward. That is the purpose of this article. We the younger Igbos are interested in knowing the way forward. Because it appears that many of our Igbo leaders are too quiet and are too docile for the occasion of the moment. The important role of Igbo leaders in moving our people forward cannot be over emphasised and cannot even be toyed with. At this critical point in our nation’s history, especially considering the agitation for secession by some of our youths, there is increasing need for leaders to step up their game and this is the focal reason for this article. Because some of us in the younger generation still believe that the Igbo nation can within the current Nigerian framework make a thunderous progress. As much as we will continue to agitate for the restructuring of Nigeria, we believe that if our leaders put their minds to work we can make great things happen again for the Igbo nation.

Especially, the current agitation led by some of our youths to revitalize the old geographic Biafra, have exposed the fact that some of our brothers from neighbouring geopolitical zones are assuming that the reason we are interested in bonding with them is because of their oil and gas resource. Even some of our Igbo folks who fall within those geopolitical spaces literally do not want to have any thing to with us. Which is why I said that for the purpose of this article, South East will be interchangeably used with the Igbo nation.

It is obvious that they are hugely misled to believe that we are just interested in what they’ve’ got. A lot of propaganda has been deployed over the years to tarnish our image before these our brothers.

With the comments and reactions we have noticed from our neighbouring geographical zone since the renewed agitation for Biafra led by some of our youths, we are convinced that it is either we concentrate and build for ourselves an enviable geopolitical zone within Nigeria or if we are seceding we should concentrate on our geopolitical zone going it alone.

But since to our knowledge (I mean those of us younger Igbo folks fighting for the restructuring of Nigeria) our leaders are not pushing for secession, we are convinced that there is need to wake up the Igbo nation as represented by the South East, to pursue its own development program within Nigeria.

From research we have discovered what Igbo leaders before this present crop of leaders did even without oil. And we know that with knowledge explosion and modern technology our leaders should be able to do better.

There are Igbo organisations spread across the world that are ready to help you achieve much more, only if you are ready.

Igbo is a distinct people who constitute one of the three single largest black African cultures and ethnic groups with a population of over 50 million people occupying the rain forest zone of Nigeria and her offsprings residing in every corner of the earth. Ndi Igbo constitute one third of Africa’s most populous nation and occupies the 5 states of south east geopolitical zone and forms part of Rivers Delta, Kogi, Benue and Kwara States, seating between the bight of Biafra and Benin and they are found in all parts of Nigeria contributing to the development of their host communities.

The bronze and other associated archaeological finds in Igbo Ukwu town proves that Igbo civilization was one of the earliest in the West African rainforest area. Dated over 1000 years ago, (Connah (2004) acclaims the high level skill, brilliance, uniqueness and technological sophistication of the finds, and wonders how the Igbo got involved with such a complex venture at such an early date (Connah 2004 p. 116).

But latter day ingenuity of the Igbo people in science and technology would only confound those who marvel at Igbo Ukwu discoveries carbon-dated to be over 1000 years.

In fact, the Igbo Ukwu finds could be a foretaste of the Igbo and Biafran feats in indigenous technology. It’s a fact that most of the Biafran scientists are of Igbo origin. At the height of the war, Biafran scientists single-handedly put their brains to work, which engendered enviable inventions, such as the dreaded Ogbunigwe (mass killer or destroyer) and oil refineries. Ukaegbu (2005) lists other exploits of the Biafran scientists, including: production of grenade and rocket casings, mortar shells, bullets, armoured cars, building of airports, refining and mass production of salt, production of alcoholic drinks, soaps and other consumables which cushioned the effects of the blockade. Above all, he emphasizes the superb organizing structure of the Biafran Research and Production Board, and the teamwork, efficiency and commitment of all its personnel (Ukaegbu 2005).

It’s noteworthy that the war-era feats were achieved due to the assemblage of qualified leaders who rose up to the challenge of the time. They had the vision, they loved their land, and they worked patiently as a team and made a visible difference. Today, their work is remembered and written about.

While commenting on the war-time achievements, Madiebo (1980) states that the Biafran Research and Production Board considered no problem impossible to solve (Madiebo 1980 p. 114). That is the indomitable spirit of the Igbo!

•The first Black Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan was an Igbo man named Professor Kenneth Dike.

•The first Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos was an Igbo man named Professor Eni Njoku.

•The first Nigerian Rector of Yaba College of Technology was also an Igbo man

The first Nigerian Professor of Mathematics was an Igbo man named Professor Chike Obi – the man who solved Fermat’s Last Theorem. He was followed by another Igbo man named Professor James Ezeilo, Professor of Differential Calculus and the founder of the Ezeilo Constant.

•The first Nigerian professor of history was an Igbo man Professor Kenneth Dike who also became the first black vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

•The first Nigerian Professor of Botany was an Igbo man named Professor Eni Njoku. He went on to become the very first vice chancellor of the University of LAGOS.

•The first Nigerian Professor of Anatomy and Physiology is Professor Chike Edozien an Igbo man who is also the current Obi of Asaba.

•The first Nigerian Professor of Physics was Professor Okoye an Igbo man who became a Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA in 1960. He was followed by the likes of Professor Alexander Anumalu who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize for Physics three times for his research in Intermediate Quantum Physics.

•In Nuclear Physics and Chemistry – again another Igbo man – Professor Frank Ndili who gained a Ph.D in his early ’20s at Cambridge Univesity in Nuclear Physics and Chemistry in the early ’60s. This young Asaba man had made a First Class in Physics and Mathematics at the then University College Ibadan in the early ’50s.

First Professor of Statistics – Professor Adichie who’s research on Non-Parametric Statistics led to new areas in statistical research.

•What about the first Nigerian Professor of Medicine – Professor Kodilinye – he was appointed a Professor of Medicine at the University of London in 1952. He later became the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka after the war.

•What about Astronomy – again another Igbo man was the first Professor of Astronomy – please, look up Professor Ntukoju – he was the first to earn a double Ph.D in Astronomy and Mathematics.

•Let’s go to the Social Sciences – Demography and statistical research into population studies – again another Igbo man – Professor Okonjo who set up the first Centre for Population Research in Ibadan in the early ’60s. A double Ph.D in Mathematics and Economics.

•Philosophy – Professor G D Okafor, who became a Professor of Philosophy at the Amherst College USA in 1953.

•Economics – Dr. Pius Okigbo who became a visiting scholar and Professor of Economics at the University of London in 1954. He is also the first Nigerian Ph.D in Economics.

•Theology and theological research – Professor Njoku who became the first Nigerian to earn a Ph.D in Theology from Queens University Belfast in Ireland. He was appointed a Professor of Theology at the University College Zambia in 1952.

The Igbo nation has other great sons and daughters whose achievements attest to the ingenuity of Igbo nation. They include; the great Zik of Africa, the pan Africanist who led the struggle for the independence of Nigeria and other countries of Africa, Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu the Biafra war lord who was the first university masters degree holder to join the Nigerian Army as a regular and inspired the Biafra scientific invention during the Nigerian civil war. Others include; Mis Chineyere, the first African female pilot, Chief Emeka Anyoku the former secretary general of common wealth. Micheal Okpara, Akann Ibian, Dr Alex Ekuueme, Aguyi Ironsi, Nigeria’s first military president and the first supreme commander from Africa and former member of the Queen’s Army.

Again since after the war, some Igbo scientists and professionals have proven that the Igbo can contribute to the technological advancement of the world, amongst other things. Examples of such are: Ezekiel Izuogu (scientist and inventor of the first indigenous African automobile technology, the Z-600), Augustine Njoku-Obi (developer of Cholera Vaccine), Damian Anyanwu (Inventor), Philip Emeagwali (American computer scientist and mathematician), Augustine Esogbue (NASA scientist), Peter Nwangwu (Famous pharmacology research scientist), Bartholomew Nnaji (Robotics scientist), Cyprian Emeka Uzoh (father of Modern Chip Interconnection Technologies, World-class scientist and prolific inventor holding over 100 US patents).

During the First Republic, the Igbo nation made enviable progress in qualitative and coherent leadership, organizational cohesion, fiscal and industrial development, planning, superb educational system, good governance, integrity in political office, and so forth. In fact, this solid foundation was laid before the inception of the First Republic, courtesy of the Igbo State Union and leaders of thought. Notably, government initiatives adequately encouraged farming and other allied produce for food and export. Thus, items such as rice, yam, cassava, cocoyam, vegetables, palm produce and cashew nuts were readily and ordinarily the mainstay of the economy. It was essentially on these that Eastern Nigerian economy thrived and expanded to become the largest growing economy in Africa, just between 1957 to 1967. The Eastern Nigerian government had a clear vision which was progressive, and complementary to the nation of the Igbo State Union.

As a result, the Eastern Nigerian Development Corporation (ENDC) was established, which became a tool through which series of development projects emerged , including: University of Nigeria Nsukka, Aba Textile Mills, Shoe Industry Owerri, Nigercem Nkalagu, Enamel Plate Industry Umuahia, golden Guinea Brewery Umuahia, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Glass Company Port Harcourt, Ulonna Farm Settlement, Niger Steel Company Emene, African Continental Bank (ACB), Hotel Presidential Enugu and Port Harcourt, Co-operative Bank of Eastern Nigeria Ltd (Co-operative and Commerce Bank). These and many other developmental strides were achieved within a ten year period 1957-1967.

As we are aware today, Abia and Anambra produce cocoa in commercial quantity, while Abia and Enugu produces Cashew nut. Ebonyi is about the biggest rice producer in Nigeria, and she is blessed with 25 solid minerals (lime stone inclusive) and 2 salt lakes. The coal in Enugu can power the whole of West Africa and beyond. Anambra holds 16 percent of Nigeria’s gas reserve. Anambra, Abia and Imo (with untapped fields) are crude oil producing states. Abia and Imo are the major palm oil producing states. Anambra has Bauxite, Imo has ceramic etc. Onitsha, Aba, Ladipo, Alaba and computer village are trade capitals in Africa (powered by Igbos). Igbos pay 85 percent of import duties in Nigeria (find out).

As the most travelled ethnic group in West Africa, they contribute up to 60 percent of Nigeria’s abroad remittances. The three biggest markets in Lagos are powered by Igbos, which is a great source of revenue for the state. Igbos are major players in real estate in Abuja, thereby generating income for Nigeria via tax. Igbos have the biggest investment in Nigeria per capita. The second biggest film industry in the world is powered by Igbos. The biggest footwear industry in Africa is in Igbo land. They are major players in Automotive industry (ladipo, ibeto, innoson, nnewi auto market, etc). They are in transportation, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Our leaders of old made Eastern Nigeria the fastest growing economy within ten years. What is happening to you the current crop of Igbo leaders?

Especially the current generation of Igbo leaders owe us the duty to mobilize us to work through a strategic master plan as our leaders did before and immediately after independence.

We want to know what your strategic master plan for South East is as leaders of Igbo nation, especially in the areas of:
• Infrastructural development (roads, bridges, rail lines, water ways, sea ports, airports, street lights, markets, motor parks)
• Agriculture
• Education
• Health
• Industries
• Erosion control
• Environment and Forest reserves
• Mining
• Peace and Security across the geography
• Export
• Youth employment
• Population explosion control
• Culture
• Entertainment
• Sports
• ICT
• Housing
• Manufacturing
• Tourism and hospitality
• Political advancement within Nigeria
• Urban renewal
• Energy supply
• South East interconnectivity
• Etc

The role of Igbo leaders in the emerging political dispensation may not be as distinct from those of other leaders from other ethnic nationalities and zones in Nigeria. But based on recent events in Nigeria, there is the need to define the Expected Role Performance (ERP) of Igbo leaders going forward. We need to know what our leaders are doing to make south east the true envy of all nations.

Leadership is not about acquiring political power and positions of authority and using such to enrich self, and then acquire thugs for another election. In fact we are angry about how our youths are being destroyed on the basis of politics. Some of our leaders on mere belonging to different political parties hate each other and they are getting our young ones to indulge in same. They have refused to understand that political parties are only vehicles for conveying one to power. They should please stop using it to destroy our people. The reason for joining politics should be for our good and not to destroy us.

As Igbo leaders you should not play the Ostrich. Problems will not go away except they are solved. You must learn to tackle problems with a solution base approach rather than an avoidance approach. You should help Ndi Igbo to take advantage of the current socioeconomic challenges in Nigeria. If Nigeria need more power; if they want public buildings and facilities to be well maintained; if schools require more trained teachers or more furniture; if public transportation is deserving of more infrastructure, equipment and personnel; whatever inadequacy you can think of, it can only mean that Nigeria is in dire need of creative Igbo minds and industrious hands who can take on these troubles. Indeed, the more these gaps that remain in Nigeria’s development efforts, the more relevant Igbos should be as solution providers.

Especially Igbo leaders must set out now to develop south east. This is the time to set your minds on probity, accountability and honesty and above all thorough and efficient management of public funds. As Igbo leaders, you must stem self seeking dispositions and become transparently honest in your personal and official dealings, so that the ordinary Igbo man can accept your leadership. Without this confidence measure, even the rest of Nigeria cannot take Igbo leaders seriously.

As much as it is not wrong for one to strive to acquire material things, it should not be at the expense of the corporate interest of the people you claim to lead. The perception that Igbo leaders love money more than they love their people after all may not be misplaced, because of the primitive acquisition habit of those who say they are Igbo leaders, especial against the developmental interest of Ndi Igbo.

Those of you who are true wise men and women from the East, this is the time to rise up to the leadership challenge of the moment. You need to show us that you are selfless and you are visionaries who can nurture future forbearers and present a clear roadmap that will ensure that South East becomes the true envy of nations. You must realize the urgent need for a South-East Recovery & Development Plan that we can pursue without federal government. This is for your attention.

God Bless Ala Igbo

 

Great Imo Jonathan