•Indigenes of God’s own state resident in Nsukka tasked on brotherhood
From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The Igbo are reputed for always identifying with their root wherever they find themselves. So, Igbo community associations operate in virtually every town and city within Nigeria and abroad where they reside.
There is no need retelling the significant roles played by the Igbo union in pre-independent Nigeria until after the ill-fated 30-month civil war. With the creation of states; Igbo people began to congregate at state level.
Abia people living in the university town of Nsukka, Enugu State, met under the auspices of Abia Forum Nsukka. At the group’s second lecture series held on November 12, 2024, the Igbo spirit “Onye aghala nwanneya.” (Be your brother’s keeper), was rekindled.
Director, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Chukwunyere Nwosu, who delivered the lecture urged Abia State indigenes in the university to maintain the spirit of brotherhood and oneness for growth and development.
In the lecture titled: “Solidarity and Oneness; Virtues in Building Brotherhood of Abians Resident in Nsukka,” Nwosu said that the concept of “Onye aghala nwanneya” among the Igbo, which translates to no one should leave the brother or relative behind, was to ensure that communal life and the well-being of everyone are taken into consideration and protected at all times.
He said: “The practice of ‘onye aghala nwanneya’ is similar to the ancient African word ‘ubuntu’, which literary means humanity to others and is often described as reminding us that I am what I am because of who we all are. Ubuntu and onye aghala nwanneya reflect the warm-rich African heritage premised on values such as compassion, consideration, empathy, kindness, equality, human dignity and oneness.
“Onye aghala nwanneya emphasizes mutual support, community uplifting, being a brother’s keeper, solidarity, collective progress and the strength of collectivism. It is based on the philosophy of love and acceptance that will make one not abandon his kit and kin or kindred.
“The modern society demands that we struggle individually. But we must return to the old times that sustained our fathers. Just like in other societies, our people have their means of controlling the social behaviour of the members and this is done on the principle of ‘Onye aghala nwanneya.’
“In our culture, conflict resolution is a community process that may usually end with the guilty party accepting wrongdoing leading to reconciliation that may include compensation or just forgiveness.”
He urged Abians in UNN to be their brothers’ keepers by relating with one another so as to ensure progress in the forum and attract opportunities and appointments in the university:
“Placing our interest ahead of our group aspirations has been the bane of our political success in Abia State and in UNN. We should never allow ourselves to be used to stop our brothers’ or group’s success because of our personal interests or aspirations.
“I, therefore urge all Abians in UNN to be their brother’s keepers by relating with one another at all times so as to ensure progress in the forum, attract opportunities and appointments in the university. This is the right time to preach brotherhood and unity to our people.”
Acting Vice-Chancellor, UNN, Prof. Polycarp Chigbu, declared the event open. Represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo, he commended the Abia Forum for the lecture series and assured his administration’s support to the group.
President of Abia Forum, Prof. Okechukwu Nwaubani, said: “The vision of the forum is to build and sustain among people of Abia State origin in Nsukka, an enduring culture of oneness through the Igbo philosophy of ‘Onye aghala nwanneya.’ Predictably, our enduring motto which is ‘Unity is Strength,’ helps us to embrace the spirit of resilience, industry, sense of purpose and other visionary virtues needed to promote our common goals through enhanced socio-cultural and political visibility as well as relevance in the scheme of things.
“These ideas also resonate with the objectives of today’s lecture. The lecture is therefore very significant to Abia Forum and Abia indigenes in many respects.
“Firstly, it is a tacit fulfilment of the statutory vision/mandate of the Forum in promoting our collective sense of pride, identity, unity and oneness. Secondly, it confirms the passionate zeal of members of the Forum in placing Abia State in its rightful place in the scheme of things especially with respect to general socio-political visibility within the University of Nigeria community and Nsukka at large.”
The occasion, chaired by Prof. Chijioke Nwosu, an Emeritus Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics at UNN, had UNN students of Abia origin in attendance.