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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, has commended the initiative to foster unity among the indigenous people of Igbo-speaking communities and fight identity crisis being championed by Igbo Unification Movement in collaboration with ’Ndi N’asu bia social cultural organization.
The governor, speaking on Friday while declaring open a two-day conference by the movement, described the initiative as worthy of emulation by others.
He expressed shock that there are 13 states in the country where Igbo-speaking communities are spread, saying “we.never knew 13 states speak Igbo in this country uptill.now, thus it is a worthy gesture”.
Represented by Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, the Chief of Staff Government House, Governor Oborevwori, commended the organizers of the movement for promoting unity and harmony among the Igbos.
The theme of the event which was flag off on Friday and terminated on Saturday August 30th at Jace Darl Hotel, Okpanam, is “Igbo-Bu-Ofu”.
Speaking further, the governor highlighted the historic contributions of the Igbo people to Nigeria’s growth and development.
He said that the Igbo unification initiative is seen as a positive development for the region’s future.
Governor Oborevwori said the initiative could potentially foster greater cooperation, economic development, and social progress in the region.
The event, aimed at fostering unity among the Igbo people regardless of geographic boundaries, drew traditional leaders, academics, and community stakeholders from across the Southeast and other parts of the region.
In his remarks, Senator Ned Nwoko stressed the need for cultural and ideological closeness between the Anioma people of Delta North and the wider Igbo community.
“Anioma and Ndi Igbo are similar, sharing the same philosophy and ideals. We are all Igbo, wherever we are,” he said.
Sen. Nwoko however said that discussions are ongoing among stakeholders to create an additional state for the Igbo as a matter of equity and fairness.
In his keynote address, Prof. Timothy Uzodinma Nwala endorsed the unification movement and the creation of Anioma State.
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He stressed the need for inclusive recognition of all Igbo-speaking communities.
“Igbos acknowledged to be one of the ten great and dominant nations of the world; the genius, industry, courage and drive of her citizens recognized and respected all over the world;
“A people highly adaptable and self-reliant, a nation of warriors, humble but shrewd and aggressive commercial class, highly devoted clerical class, with a literati whose creativity, inventiveness and intellectual accomplishments continue to dazzle the world”, he added.
Chief Cosmas Agada, chairman, Local Organuzing Committee (LOC) and patron of Ndi Nasu Bia socio cultural organization,.described the group as an Igbo nationalism organization duly incorporated in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs in 2020
He said that the group membership is drawn from all Igbo subgroups and communities across three geopolitcal zones of North-Central, South-East and South-South and spread across diaspora Igbo Comnunities in America, Asia, Europe, the Caribean etc.
”Inspired by the Igbo philosophg of Onye aghala nwanne ya, we identify indigeneous Igbo Communites engaging the elders and youths with the objective of helping them to resolve their identity crisis, thereby helping them to fully realize their true Igbo identity. In some cases, we carry out minor infrastructural projects in the communities.
“We aim to to build Igbo philosophy of Igwebuike, as we believd the socioculfursl, economic and political advancement of Ndigbo lies critically in our unity irrespective of our unity dialectical variations. Ndigbo are one people.
Earlier in his welcome address, Kingsley Kainebi, President, Ndi Na Asu Bia Socio-Cultural Organization, appreciated the LOC whose dedication has brought this vision to life.
“As we engage in today’s discussion, I urge us to take to heart key recommendations of this conference in order to achieve its set of goal – that Igbo people should stand together as one united ethnic group, speaking with one voice.
“Through this Conference tagged ‘Ogbako-Igbo Zara Igbo (gathering of all those who are called Igbo)’, we want to make our diverse people, especially those who are having identity crisis, to understand that we are one people”, Kainebi, had in an earlier statement said.
