FOCUS: Manifesting Disunity As Personalities Again Avoid 2014 Igbo Day Celebration

From Ignatius Okpara, Awka

For the sixth consecutive times, the South Eastern zone Governors in Nigeria, Monday shunned the 2014 world Igbo day celebration, held in Awka, the Anambra state capital.

Apart from the governors, non of the notable personalities and political heavy weights from the zone graced the annual event put together by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization – the Ohaneze Ndigbo. Few personalities that attended the event was one time Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazurike Amechi and the former Ohanaeze President General, Dr. Dozie Ikedife.

Even Chairman of the occasion and a business mogul, Prince Arthur Eze failed to show up and did not send any representative, a development which forced Ohaneze group to use Ikedife as the impromptu Chairman.

However, security was beefed up at the event which was graced with women groups and traditional dancers across the five eastern states including Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States.

The AREWA Consultative Forum (ACF) was represented by Rev. Samuel Audu, who advocated for unity in Nigeria, demanding that all the socio – cultural groups in the country should join hands for a better society.

Similarly, the Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) was represented by Hon. Husseni Abiola, while the Ijaw National congress (INC) was represented by its Vice President, Engr. Ebieridei Charles Ambacowei.

A hand full of traditional rulers from South Eastern States, led by its Chairman, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, of Obinugwu community in Imo state, attended the occasion.

Speaking at the occasion, President of Ohaneze in Anambra state, Elder Chris Eluemunoh, who doubled as chairman of the organizing committee, had applauded Governor, Willie Obiano for his enormous contribution towards the Igbo day celebration.

He said 2014 marked the 100 years of the birth of Nigeria, adding that it was a significant year for Igbo as they reflect on the past and plan for the future.

Eluemunoh said there was need for economic empowerment of Ndigbo so as to enable them participate fully in the ongoing transformation in Nigeria under the President Goodluck Jonathan.

President General Ohaneze, Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey, in his speech reiterated that for equity and justice, Ndigbo would contest office of the President of Nigeria at the expiration of Jonathan’s tenure. He indicated this had been the position of Ohaneze Ndigbo since 2010, adding that the resolve remain unchanged.

According to him, Ndigbo would continue to build bridges with other ethnic nationalities towards the national cause.

Hear him: “Our strength should come from our demographic weight spread all over the country, very soon, after consultation, our people will be called upon to speak with one voice in the issue of President, we did it before and we can do it again”.

“The security situation in some parts of the country has exposed our people to clear dangers both in their lives and investments”

“With the escalating body counts from the violence and incendiary rhetoric from discredited politicians who continue to fuel the fire of anti-Igbo hatred, the time to think home is now” Igariwey declared.