Opeyemi Adesina
The former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that engendering unity among the Igbo race is a crucial factor if the South East will make nay impact in the 2015 general election in Nigeria, especially the desire of the region to produce the next president of the country.
Kalu, who spoke in Washington DC, United States of America, in continuation of his advocacy visits for a president of Igbo extraction for Nigeria in 2015, said without unity, it would be impossible to make the dream come true.
At a dinner in his honour at the residence of Surveyor John and Lady Maria Juruobi in Washington DC, Kalu said it was in order to foster the much desired unity among the Igbo irrespective of political affiliation, religion, gender and other such divisive tendencies that a non partisan group, the Njiko Igbo, was formed.
The dinner, which was chaired by Mr. Ola Famuyiwa, had in attendance a cross section of Nigerians amongst whom were Mr. Henry Okadigbo, Barrister Ndubuisi Uche Umuma, Mr. George Udezor, Chief Anyaso Ojukwu, Engr A. Ola, Prof. Tunde Ayo, Mr. Daniel Eke, Mr. Seyi Ogunbiyi, Prof. Akin Ola, Dr. John Owolabi and Mr. Lawal Suleiman.
Kalu said Njiko Igbo would reconcile everyone in order to present a common voice for the repositioning of Ndigbo in terms of development and leadership positions.
He disclosed that those engaged in the project have been engaging stakeholders in the South East and other parts of the country on the marginalization of Ndigbo over the years and the need for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction.
He further stated that the only compensation that could erase the years of marginalisation will be the acceptance of an Igbo man as president in 2015.
Kalu, who is the portem coordinator of Njiko Igbo, said: "Since the creation of the country to the era of the civil war and now, the Igbo race has suffered deep marginalisation.
"Yet, we have not considered this as we have supported other regions and zones to produce the president of the country.
"There can be no better befitting way of repaying us than allowing us to produce the president in 2015.
"And we have been working silently for a very long time building bridges of understanding all over the country to achieve this.
"Njiko Igbo is just the visible arm of the move to achieve a project that is very dear to the hearts of the genuine Igbo man and woman home
and abroad."
Kalu charged Nigerians in the Diaspora to imbibe the spirit of integrity in their profession and discipline in order to strengthen bilateral relationship between Nigeria and their country of residence.
Famuyiwa, in his remarks, stated that it will only be fair if the South East produces Nigeria’s president in 2015.
He said for 52 years that Nigeria has been independent without the Igbo having the opportunity to rule the country, other zones should compensate the region with the presidency since the south East has eminently qualified men and women that could rule the country.
Sir Juruobi congratulated Kalu and Ndigbo on the Njiko Igbo project, which he described as the new face of Igbo.
He implored other Igbo groups and associations to compliment the efforts of Njiko Igbo in taking the South East to the Promised Land.
In the same vein, a businessman, George Udezor, called for the re-invigoration and emulation of the belief of our forefathers, anchored on peaceful co existence.
Mr. Henry Okadigbo, younger brother to the late former Senate President, Chief Chuka Okadigbo, disclosed that he was not surprised that Njiko Igbo sprang up, stating that is late brother, Dr. Kalu and a few Igbo leaders were always at the forefront of selfless fight for the people of the region.
He described Kalu as a reformer per excellence, with a strong will to fight a genuine cause for Ndigbo.
In his contribution, Barrister Uche Omuma decried the state of roads in the South East.
He made specific mention of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, which he used some months back on his way to his village and lamented on the state of Aba city in Abia State.
He called on government at all levels to be responsive to the plight of their people.
He also urged Igbos to rally support for Njiko Igbo, describing it as a collective advocacy forum for the repositioning of Ndigbo.
Engr A. Ola used the opportunity to introduce a new non governmental project, Diaspora Campaign for Democratic Change in Nigeria, which aims at promoting democratic values.
He said this initiative was conceptualized in response to various national and international calls for genuine democracy in Nigeria, where the average man’s voice counts.
He said: "We are tired with the political rigging and victimization, which has denied the people the opportunity to elect the leaders of
choice."
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