www.odogwublog.com reports that the
deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu will this Saturday lead
other prominent Igbo sons and daughters including governors, Royal
fathers, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Igbo leaders of thought, Senator Enyinnanya
Abaribe, the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr.
Ogbonanya Onu; former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; the
former CBN governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, business mogul,
Engr. Arthur Eze and the founder of Centre for Value in Leadership
(CVL), Prof. Pat. Utomi to this year's World Igbo Summit.
The summit organized by World Igbo Congress (WIC), billed to hold
this Saturday May 27th, 2017 in Ascot Hotels Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
would feature, lectures, life-time award presentation to distinguished
Nigerians including Ebitu Ukiwe; Prof. Anya O. Anya; Engr. Arthur Eze,
among others this
This was contained in a statement signed by the chairman of WIC, Engr. Joe Nze Eto and made available to newsmen in Awka.
According
to the statement, 'World Igbo Congress (WIC) is a global network of
Diaspora Igbo from the seven Igbo speaking states of Nigeria.
'It is an umbrella organization of Affiliates from various cities
worldwide, but predominantly from the USA and Canada. Individuals can be
members of Affiliates in their cities. You have to be Igbo by birth or
by marriage to be a member.
'In the 22
years of founding, WIC has invited Igbo from home land for annual
conventions, and with each year those visiting from home have asked that
WIC come to Nigeria to interact with kit and kin. At the 2016 New York
Convention, the decibel of the chorus for bringing a WIC convention
reached a crescendo.
On the President
Muhammadu Buhari's administration, 'The chaotic Buhari government and
its openly visible policy of non-inclusion of the Igbo in his
administration was causing unbearable discomfort among the Igbo,
particularly the youths who could not get jobs.
'The time was very ripe for a summit in Nigeria to dialogue with
the Igbo leadership and the now despondent masses to chat a way out of
the vexing quagmire.
'Igbo of all stripes
will gain something from the Summit, but the youths stand to benefit
the most. Most of the summit topics for discussion will address issues
of security of life and property, revamping the quality of education,
developing ala Igbo, and how to create jobs within ala Igbo. These
discussions will bring hope of employment for the youths and create
career growth opportunities for the adults.
'Buhari’s policy of non-inclusion of the Igbo in his cabinet, and his
administration’s insensitivity in treating ndi Igbo as outcasts is
creating obvious management problems for Nigeria.
'Although Buhari’s hostility on the Igbo is causing a lot of
hardship in the Igbo States, the entire nation is not making significant
progress in any national agenda of his administration.
On WIC's position on Biafra, 'Biafra is not ever going to die. Like
every other denied agitation for self-determination, Biafra will at
least remain on the mind of those who seek self-determination.
'Inflicting suppressive and repressive policies on the Igbo in
Nigeria will continue to trigger demand for self-rule. It is really the
Nigeria government’s prerogative to have one Nigeria where every
component of the nation is treated as equal partner.
'If Nigeria continues to flog this child and at the same time not
let her cry, Nigeria will lose her rights of custody for the child.
Nigeria is a member of the United nation and should recognize and
conform with the UN charter on both Human Rights and member rights for
self-determination. We should be law abiding.
On WIC’s plan for the development of Igbo land, 'Diaspora Igbo have
acquired needed expertise to assist in developing ala Igbo, in every
sector of the economy. We have plans to assist in revamping a few
technical schools in the region.
'WIC has a
committee chaired by Prof. Landon Onyebueke, a celebrated Mechanical
Engineering Professor who designed cockpits for US Navy combat
aircrafts. With the cooperation of Igbo leaders at home, his committee
will train students on use of machines to design and produce heavy
equipment spare parts. This is a job creation item. WIC’s plan for a
Regional Medical Center of Excellency is a vital component of
development for any nation.
On WIC’s
Thoughts on Nigeria’s Medical tourism, 'It is extremely embarrassing
that Nigeria heads of state, state governors and the wealthy club, all
feel comfortable entrusting their lives in the care of complete
strangers whose interest is these Nigerians’ wallet. This singular move
is a foreign relations jeopardy for Nigeria and a reason no nation will
take them other way, than a nation not capable of development.
'A nation without shame is condemned to international disrespect.
Sadly, in these offshore medical centers Nigerians constitute a
significant percentage of senior level management.
'WIC has completed plans to facilitate a world class medical center
of excellence in ala Igbo. The Nsokpo Community in Ogbaku, about 7 miles
from Owerri, on the Owerri- Onitsha Road has graciously donated 50
acres of land to this endeavor. We need the cooperation of all Nigerians
and Nigerian institutions to fully actualize this goal. We need to stop
the madness of medical tourism in Nigeria.
On inability of Nigeria to develop beyond third world rating, 'It is
difficult to explain it. Nigeria has an endemic inferiority complex.
Decision-makers, national as well as regional leaders rather deal with
foreign white or yellow colored humans than Nigerians, no matter how
knowledgeable and educated the Nigerian is.
'Nigeria does not value her experts. That is a huge problem. Nigeria
has also refused to utilize correct Nigerian experts, preferring choices
based on nepotism and tribalism; so you have square pegs that do not
fit in round holes.
'There are numerous
problems that explain Nigeria’s permanent seat at the bottom of
developing nations, the list not being corruption. The interview we saw
recently of a foreign journalist drilling our former President Olusegun
Obasanjo was very nauseating,' the statement read.
From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka
Ekweremadu, South-East Governors, Arthur Eze, Utomi, Others for World Igbo Summit
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
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