The possession of adequate (relevant) knowledge enhances our
ability to analyze and proffer solutions to issues critical to a people that
are bound by history, culture and tradition.
This conversational piece is not intended to stir us unto
revolution or an uprising, but rather, spur us unto a new level of realization,
consciousness and realignment.
The cry of marginalization and discrimination against the people
of South-East (Ndi Igbo) in particular has become a ‘SLOGAN’ easily peddled
by some individuals who put up a concerned disposition; but ironically, provide
the paid cataclysm for the attenuation of the place and position of the Igbo
race in the contemporary Nigeria, WHAT A SHAME!
There cannot be a more appropriate definition and display of
the term HYPOCRISY than;
1.
The surreptitious “official” embargo on the
possible ascendancy to the presidency by an IGBO MAN under normal or coerced
circumstances.
2.
The total deindustrialization of the entire
South-East zone from the periods after the civil war till date, without any
effort to correct this ANOMALY- quite
instructive! Suffice it to say that, the impact of industrialization on
the economic growth, development and sustenance of the commercial activities on
the South-East region cannot be over stated.
The absence of industrializing the Nnewi, Onitsha and Aba industrial
clusters has succeeded in de-marketing the region as it remains unattractive to
potential investors alike.
3.
The perceived incapacity of an Igbo man (son) to
head any of the units of the Armed Forces with exception to Lt. Gen. Azubuike
Ihejirika, the former Chief of Army Staff who was appointed by and served under
former President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR), an act of his that constituted a
serious official crime against the ‘Ruling Nigerian Establishment’ the rest you
know!
4.
The region with the highest number of
dilapidated Federal road networks in the entire country amidst public outcry
overwhelmed in the subdued silence by the Federal government and its agencies
relevant to this course.
5.
The deliberate exclusion of the South-East
region in the Federal government’s national railway plan which is funded with
national resources, quite commendable!
6.
The non- inclusion of an Igbo man or woman in
the over 45 strategic positions and offices that remain critical to the
decisions that shape the country… for fear of what?
7.
The arbitrary use of power or force by enforcing
the mounting of numerous roadblocks by operatives of the Police (NPF, MOPOL,
FSARS), Army, JTF, Customs, etc., to mete out untold hardship, intimidation and
extortion on the unsuspecting, peaceful and law abiding people of the
South-Eastern region.
8.
The reward of the resilience, hard-work and
industriousness of the Igbos who spare no energy at the acquisition,
development and investment in other zones of the country outside South-East
region with prohibitive taxes, levies and other forms of harassments as
incentives by the agents of governments in the affected states- take note.
9.
The inauspicious anointing, installation,
support and manipulation of our morally bankrupt governors, senators and other representatives, etc. with allegiance to the ‘Ruling Nigerian Establishment’ as
their stock in trade remains the perpetration of confusion and disunity to frustrate
any effort to create cohesion among the people of the South-East… birth right for a plate of
porridge!
It is instructive to note that while these anomalies pervade
the entire landscape to the benefits of the ‘Ruling Nigerian Establishment’ and their
cohorts on one hand and to the deprivation of the South-East region (Ndi Igbo) on the other hand,the political, religious and other leaders of thought from the South East stay aloof in obvious bewilderment.
It is pertinent to understand that Nigeria is an
amalgamation of nations ‘sorts’. The ‘imperial’ forces that have initiated
and sustained this undue subjugation of the South-East must understand that no
nation is favorably disposed to servitude without a reciprocal rebuke or
rebuttal.
The negative ideals of deceit, hatred and utter disrespect
cannot be sustained against a divinely blessed people ‘Ndi Igbo’-worthy of note!
While the ‘Ruling Nigerian Establishment’ wallows in
self-aggrandizement, it owes itself the duty of ‘essence’ and ‘responsibility’ to
walk the talk of unity, peace and progress as an indivisible NATION and not
engage otherwise as evident in the body language of the "powers that be".
The mandate to keep a viable component part of the Nigerian
equation under subjugation for fear and insecurity remains counterproductive, as the country cannot experience true
success in nation building. One who holds another to the ground, holds himself too.
Loyalty is a consequence of leadership anchored on trust and
transparency.
Abuja, FCT.
