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Barr Onuorah, President General, ONGAW
Federal government FG of Nigeria puts activities on top gear in readiness to celebrate 1st October which chronologically marks the nation’s sixty years of independence anniversary otherwise referred as golden Jubilee, the apex Pan-Igbo organization, OHANAEZE NDIGBO GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORLDWIDE has condemned the call by some persons asking Ndigbo to boycott the event describing it as senseless barbaric and retrogressive utterance that should be ignored cautioning those propagating such messages to retrace their steps and learn to work for the best interest of Ndigbo devoid of selfish motives.
In a press statement the President General of the body, Barr Basil Onyeachonam Onuorah made available to Newsmen in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Friday, the organization called on all Ndigbo in every nuke and cranny of the world to come out in mass to participate fully in the event pointing out that prominent Igbo leaders and intellectualss were the champions of the struggle that gave birth to the independence Nigeria enjoys today hence, it will be foolhardy to abandon a course our eminent children led and won for the country at this stage of the nation’s history.
According to Barr Onuorah, globally, every nation including developed countries have their own challenges yet they continue to work together to move forward. Therefore Nigeria with its peculiar challenges must try to unite and work to overcome the divisive tendencies. No matter whatever grievances one may nurse, it is important to realize that peace building and mutual coexistence are paramount. And one cannot achieve them by isolating or segregating oneself rather by coming together to relate, discuss, dialogue and negotiate whatever interest especially with a government that is showing sense of belonging to all parts of the country like the present government.
“Under the present administration of Preisent Muhammadu Buhari, people oriented projects capable of impacting on the economy of South East region have been prioritized in governance. Recently, reconstruction of Akanu Ibiam airport was completed and commissioned. Enugu-port Harcourt express road, Enugu-Onitsha express road and other arterial federal roads are at different levels of rehabilitation while construction work on the Second Niger Bridge is progressing at impressive speed.” The statement read. “Why will a region being accorded all these attentions with the competitive resources be isolating itself from national visibility and celebration?” The statement further queried.
“Ndigbo must unite and work together with other components of the country to build better relationship, understanding and trust to advance the nation in a direction their prominent leaders worked assiduously hard and dreamt to build it. Recall personalities of Ndigbo like Sir Jaja Wachukwu, first Nigerian Speaker of the Nigerian parliament (House of representatives) known to have received Nigeria’s Instrument of Independence referred as Freedom Charter on 1st October 1960 from Princess Alexandra of Kent, the Queen’s representative at the Nigerian independence ceremonies; Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first Governor General and first president of Nigeria, known for his roles in negotiating independence struggle among many others are remarkable in their respective roles at Nigeria’s Independence. It is therefore premature, inordinate and myopic to abandon the Nigeria project now” the statement added.
Concluding, the statement urged President Buhari to disregard those calling for their region to shun the independence celebration, describing them as selfish agents of disunity camouflaging as leaders and desperately seeking cheap popularity to further their parochial agenda. Further it prayed the president to remain focused in the onerous duty of providing impartial governance in the country the way he is doing as posterity will surely vindicate him.
