Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has referred to as on Igbo elders, leaders and stakeholders to shut ranks and communicate with one voice in politics, cautioning that disunity has continued to weaken the political power and heritage of Ndi Igbo of the South East area.
He additionally urged them to pay greater than passive consideration to socio-economic points and get deeply concerned into the nationwide politics of Nigeria.
Kalu made the decision on the South East Stakeholders’ Convergence (SESC), additionally described because the South East Elders and Stakeholders Meeting, convened in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Friday to debate unity, progress and peace in Igbo land.
Addressing the gathering chaired by the previous Military Governor of Imo State and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator (Gen) Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd), the Deputy Speaker stated unity stays the muse for growth, stressing that peace in Igbo communities would solely come when leaders cause collectively in concord.
He stated: “Unity is strength. We will achieve more when we are united. The need for unity cannot be overemphasized. Peace leads to the development of communities”.
Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State on the National Assembly counseled the elders for setting apart their private engagements to attend the assembly, describing their motion as patriotism and real love for Igbo land.
“I salute you all, my elders and stakeholders for this thoughtfulness, this great idea to come together and discuss the unity, progress and peace of Igbo land. This is patriotism. You all have what you are doing but for you to leave it and come here to discuss the development of our place, it means you love Igbo land. It shall be well with you all,” he stated.
The Deputy Speaker stated the upcoming and the up to date youthful era are inspired by the elders’ instance, likening management to a relay race in which one era palms the baton to the following.
“Some of us who are coming up are encouraged by this unity and patriotism you display. We are glad to see our elders sit together to discuss the future of Igbo land. This is like a relay race, where you run and later hand over the baton to the next person and the next generation. We are coming behind you so that whenever you hand us the baton, we collect it from you and continue with the race of progress and development,” he stated.
Kalu nevertheless stated that with out unity, Ndi Igbo danger shedding their route and heritage.
“But if we are not in unity, we will miss our bearing and lose our heritage. But when we reason together in unity and harmony, we achieve greatness,” he stated.
Speaking about Nigeria’s political construction, the Deputy Speaker famous that Igbo as one of many main tribes in Nigeria just isn’t standing robust in the nationwide politics.
He additional argued that the political numbers of Ndi Igbo aren’t totally mirrored throughout the 5 South East states as a result of the persons are scattered throughout the nation.
To encourage lively political participation, the Deputy Speaker urged a change of mindset, saying the post-war determination by many Igbo folks to focus solely on private growth and keep away from nationwide politics had not served the area nicely.
“And it is not going to be good we shake and be omitted in the scheme of issues. Please, let’s come collectively. Let’s unite. When we unite, we acquire extra respect as a folks. But after we work in isolation and silos, we lose our heritage.
“The variety of votes of Ndi Igbo just isn’t what we’re getting throughout the 5 states as a result of we’re scattered across the nation. If we take a place now and say, Igbo that is our agenda, that is what we need to do, I can guarantee you, the entire of Nigeria will really feel our affect.
“But if we work in silos, each man to himself, to your tent O Israel, it’s not encouraging in any respect. It yields no constructive consequence. It reduces our quantity.
“After the war, we had believed we will work it out on our own and develop our place. We say we are not interested in politics. It is not our business. We have tried to develop on our own. It is about time we changed that mindset. The politics and governance of Nigeria should be our concern. We should get involved and play an active role because if we are not in the room, we can’t be part of the decision. We need to be part of the decision making process,” he stated.
Kalu due to this fact referred to as for a typical place to assist Ndi Igbo to ship with one thoughts.
“There is no wisdom in saying we are not interested in the politics of Nigeria. It should be our business. Let us say one thing and stick to it with one mind, then, we will see the result of our togetherness. God bless you,” he stated.
The stakeholders assembly held in Imo State Government House attracted the presence of Governor Hope Uzodinma because the chief host, some conventional rulers, representatives of religous leaders, girls and youth teams from the 5 japanese States, different outstanding Igbo little children in politics and governance, enterprise, academia amongst whom are former Senate President/Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; rapid previous Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO); Prof. Nnenna Oti; former chairman, Police Service Commission, Chief Simeon Okeke; former President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu; Chief Tony Chukwu; Amb. Greg Mbadiwe; Prof. Osita Ogbu; Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa and Amb. Okey Emuche.
