Written Paul I. Adujie
March 2011
Nigeria is actively undergoing electioneering campaigns for a general elections schedule for April 2011
This general election season has turned out to be an open season of attack, bigotries, prejudices and hatreds directed at Igbo by too many Nigerians.
Igbos are repeatedly attacked and denigrated, even when such attacks and denigrations are clearly unwarranted. These increased spate of vitriol directed at Igbos should make any reasonable person to ask questions.
Why is it, that so many Nigerians, too many Nigerians in fact, are so comfortable in talking down, patronizingly and condescendingly to, and about Igbos?
Why is it, that a majority of those commenting on national issues, with references to Igbos, are always denigrating fellow Nigerians, just because these Nigerians of Igbo extraction?
It is the case that most commentaries about Igbos are so insensitive, and so reckless and extremely inflammatory and careless. These caustic, corrosive and sour attitudes towards Igbos, clearly illustrate persisting ill will towards Igbos. These negative attitudes towards Igbos, are emblematic of bigotries, prejudices and hatreds which have been visited upon Igbos historically and unfortunately, the frequency of these anti Igbo pronouncements in Nigeria is on the upsurge. Too many recent comments against and about Igbos, are just shockingly disgusting!
Nigerians of earlier and older generations have poor excuses for exhibiting clannish attitudes towards other Nigerians of different ethnic or linguistic groups, religious and regional groups in our multicultural and very diverse nation. But how does anyone explain recent barrages of attacks, unwarranted attacks and badgering against Igos? How does anyone explain the fact that very educated, extensively traveled and worldly wise Nigerians continue to exhibit extremely negative and primordial attitude against Igbos?
It is recognized and conceded, that plural society are rather competitive. Competition for resources which are not limitless. Competition for economic and political control, including the competition for the control and or allocation of resources.
What is unacceptable, and what should be condemned by all Nigerians, and reasonable persons everywhere, is the frequency and regularity of occurrence of Igbo bashing and unwarranted attacks against Igbos by fellow Nigerians.
This is the first week of March 2011. Nigeria is in the throes of extreme politicking. It is public knowledge that a momentous general election in Nigeria is upon Nigeria, scheduled for April 2011.
Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora should or ought to be actively engaged in debates of our national issues and challenges. Nigerians ought to eliciting and engendering debates between political candidates and the various political parties regarding their stances and positions on public policies and programs
Nigerians across the spectrum ought to focus on how the current crop of political candidates and their parties may create or bring about better life for all Nigerians all over Nigeria. But instead, too many Nigerians are focused how to keep Igbos marginalized, relegated, even as Igbos are bashed ceaselessly and endlessly.
Igbos are continually blamed for every and all of Nigeria’s afflictions, including political, constitutional and economic underdevelopment. A cursory examination of Nigeria’s past clearly indicates Igbos as victims of sundry circumstances in Nigeria. But revisionists in Nigeria are constantly engaging in extremely offensive revisionism in which Igbos are blamed for the marginalization, relegation and bashing to which Igbo have been subjected for decades.
A case in point is the unwarranted vitriolic attacks from many commentators at a Nigeria related website known as www.Nigeriavillagesquare.com; There was news that the Lagos state branch of Ohaneze, an Igbo sociocultural organization, had issued a public statement, demanding political inclusion and adequate reflection in Lagos state affairs. Too many Nigerians are too often engaged in selective memory and blissful amnesia.
A majority of those commenting or responding to the news, commented as though they felt compelled to excoriate and demean Igbos. The comments against Igbos were so outrageous and outlandish, you would think the word Igbo refers to a foreign nation outside of Nigeria with which Nigerians and Nigeria understandably directed hostilities and venom!
On ground in Nigeria, the sour attitude directed at Igbo is not much better. Many high profile political figures in Nigeria, have recently engaged in uncouth, insensitive and inflammatory pronouncements directed at Igbo citizens of Nigeria.
It is quite ironical and even oxymoronic, that many Nigerians who celebrated and went agog, (perhaps rightfully and proudly so), over President Obama’s appointment of a Nigerian physician, cancer expert, Dr. Olufunmilayo Falusi Olopade, Member, National Cancer Advisory Board of the United States; are the same Nigerians who are now, after or within a few days, surprisingly-shockingly disgustingly expressing offense, over possible appointments of Igbos by Lagos state government.
Dr. Olopade is Nigerian who received her medical degree from the great University of Ibadan, Nigeria and a Chicago “transplant“, by way of Nigeria, even with her stellar academic and professional overachiever,with so many accomplishments under her lab-coat and medical overall, would an undeserving non-indigene, “foreigner” and usurper “settler” in the warped-twisted logic of some Nigerians!
Some Nigerians, too many Nigerians across the world, it seems, appear to think Dr. Olopade were she an Igo lady in Lagos or Kano should not aspire or be appointed, despite her pedigrees? It bears restating here for the record, that this ethnic, regional and religious chauvinism, bigotries and prejudices borne of hatreds or mutual suspicions, are not special or unique to particular ethnic groups or regions in Nigeria. Inequality, discrimination and devaluation of citizenship is an equal opportunity offenses of which too many Nigerians are guilty.
I am not advocating that a blind Igbo person should be hired by Lagos state government to drive school buses, in the name of diversity or representation of Igbos in employment by Lagos state government. But Igbos who make Lagos home, like other fellow Nigerians, with qualifications, requisite experience and antecedents and pedigrees should have equal opportunities and representation in the scheme of things in Lagos.
My argument is identical for ALL Nigerians of other ethnic groups, regional and religious affiliations.
Non-Igbo Nigerians in this current electioneering campaign in the lead up to the general elections in April 2011, have arrogantly and adamantly announced to Igbos where Igbos belong and what political turn Igbos may expect. These offensive pronouncements about and against Igbos are frequently made with consultation and reference to Igbos. And what is worse, these pronouncements are made by non-Igbos about Igbos and without regard to the feelings and aspirations of Igbos.
Loud pronouncements about the place of Igbos in Nigeria’s political future have been made by some high profile Nigerians in recent times. These pronouncements have bordered around and encompassed unrestrained arrogant vituperation of Igbos. No adult should tell another adult what to do or what the future holds, but, unfortunately, some Nigerians are arrogant and pigheaded in the extreme, when they presumptuously announce the future for over 40 million Igbos in Nigeria!
Some Nigerians are so insensitive to the feelings of Igbo Nigerians or perhaps it is that some Nigerians take perverse joy in dehumanizing and degrading Igbo Nigerians? Our national security and national strategic interests are better in foreign hands than in the hands of Igbos?
The truth is governments in Nigeria currently employ Americans, Europeans, Indians, Chinese etc. Why the fear and loathing for the prospects of Igbos in employment within the same circles of governments in Nigeria?
A few days ago, I read the opinion of the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Mohammed Abba-Aji which contained yet, another gloomy, if impossible political forecasts of the future for Igbos in 2015. Professor Omo Omoruyi engaged in similar forecasts several days before, both men, with iron clad view of Igbo Nigerian as occupying the presidency of Nigeria in 2015. Both men were an inch close to and hair-thin short of, predicting that Aso Rock door will remain shut against Igbo man or woman in 2015.
Ibrahim Badmass Babangida it was who, loudly announced to Igbos to await the future, perhaps 2015 and to forget 2011. Babangida made this announcement while supporting and participating in the Adamu Ciroma so-called consensus candidature for the presidency of Nigeria, an effort, which insisted on zoning and rotational presidency by PDP, which is supposed to favor geographic northern Nigeria in 2011 elections.
Everyone often talk down to and about Igbos. Everyone makes matter-of-fact pronouncements about Igbo’s political prospects in Nigeria, and Igbos are supposed to and expected to take all of these and as fait accompli and smile? Igbos like other Nigerians have a stake in Nigeria’s outcome. Igbos should feel at home throughout Nigeria, even despite checkered and painful historical experiences of violence against Igbos across Nigeria. Non-Igbos are keenly aware of Igbos industriousness, superb intellect and business acumen and enterprise. These attributes and qualities are appreciated across Nigeria with Igbo’s industry and presence is felt in the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, bar none!
Some states in Nigeria, including Lagos, in recognition and appreciation, have appointed Nigerians, Igbos, to prominent public state offices, even though such Nigerians are from ethnic groups, other than the catchments area dominant ethnic group.
As when Lagos appoints an Igbo person to public office because such persons are Nigerians and are qualified, and further, to give the appearance of representing and reflecting the demographic components of such states, in this instance, Lagos state.
All Nigerians and lovers of democracy should advocate and promote this practice, in which our government at various levels, accurately reflects our local, state and national population of Nigerian citizens. Lagos and its surrounding or neighboring states are comprised ethnic Yoruba Nigerians. Igbos are the second largest Nigerian ethnic group apart from
Yoruba. It is therefore not extraordinary for Lagos to aspire to reflect this in elective and appointive public offices. Ohaneze is reportedly articulating and advocating inclusion into the political scheme of things in Lagos and Ohaneze have been accused of impoliteness or worse, threatening, usurping and blackmailing Lagos state. Ohaneze is an umbrella Igbo organization and it is duty bound to advocate Igbo’s cause. But Ohaneze is being accused of being bad “guests” for making legitimate demands.
In the United States, immigrants and their children are sometimes elected or appointed to political offices. President Obama is the son of Kenyan immigrant, President Obama is an American by birth, he is nonetheless a first generation American. But Nigerians motivated by bigotry, hatred and prejudice against the “otherness” in fellow Nigerians, in this instance, Igbos, would argue that a third or fourth generation Igbo person in Lagos should not be elected or appointed to political offices in Lagos, on the ground, solely, that such person is of Igbo great grand parents and in effect, of Igbo heritage, even if such person is as versed and as comfortable in Yoruba culture as Abiola or Komolafe or even Omoluabi
President Obama’s father came to the United States less than 50 years ago and his son is president. And yet, too many Nigerians insist adamantly, that children and grandchildren of fellow Nigerians who “migrated” from various parts of Nigeria to different parts of same Nigeria, should remain as “illegal-immigrants” in our country Nigeria? Going by the present illogic in Nigeria, President Obama could not be employed outside of state of Hawaii, never mind becoming a US senator from Illinois or US president.
Mrs. Hilary Rodham Clinton , the Secretary of State for United States is originally from the state of Illinois, married President Bill Clinton from the state of Arkansas, before becoming Secretary of State, she was the elected US senator from New York State.
And how about the storied astronomical rise of former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of the state of California, the fifth largest economy in the world, and the most populous state in the United States with a population of over 35 million Californians, he was born in Austria, lived in New York City as a body builder, then a film star, and voila, governor of California! Why, in view of all these, are Nigerian focused on devaluing Nigerian citizenship of fellow Nigerians within Nigeria, just because the some Nigerians have exercised fundamental rights such as freedom of movement and right to travel or relocate and live in any locality within Nigeria?
Nigeria is replete and Nigeria in fact is being consumed by this singular illogicality. The settler-indigene dichotomies or fleeting and fluid distinctions which are inflicted on Nigerian citizens, devalues our citizenship as full fledged citizens of Nigeria with equal rights, duties and obligations. Nigerians in Jos, Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri and Lagos etc are deathly afraid of domination by Igbos, instead of abject poverty and squalor and the absence of steady electricity and clean water?
Again, in the United States, particularly here in New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and mayors before him, have always recognized the immense contributions made by immigrants to the development of New York City. Immigrants currently constitute 36% of the population of New York City, while contributing 37% to New York City’s economic development.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg in recognition of this, created and appointed a woman of Palestinian descent as New York City Commissioner for Immigrant Affairs! Imagine the irony of the presence of a Nigerian immigrant being more respected and appreciated in New York City, compared with the devaluation and degrading treatment such Nigerian may receive in various parts of Nigeria where she-he was born, just because she-he has a heritage with origins, other than, her-his chosen state of residence in Nigeria.
So that an Hausa Nigerian, Igbo Nigerian, Yoruba Nigerian, Esan or Ijaw Nigerian have their beloved Nigerian citizenship degraded and devalued because they chose a particular part of Nigeria to make their home and life? What a shame indeed! Why should it be the case that, just because my great grand parents were born in Maiduguri, and even though I have chosen Nnewi as my preferred part of Nigeria to create health, wealth and happiness, fellow Nigerians would not let me be? Whereas, Mayor Bloomberg says I am OK in New York City, so long as I am all about creating health, wealth and multiplying human happiness?
This writer is on record as a fervently passionate about one Nigeria forever, about the benefits of Nigeria’s unity in diversity and the perils of disintegration. This writer is on record as chastising those of my brethren who continue to espouse beliefs and aspirations in Biafra or any national aspirations outside Nigeria as presently constituted. Nevertheless, it cannot be the case and it is not logical, for any Nigerian to think it acceptable, a national arrangement, where a particular group is historically and persistently marginalized, relegated to the background and frequently bashed as Igbos are in Nigeria.
But who wants to be marginalized, relegated and bashed so often and persistently? Nigeria’ greatest challenge is the allocation and management of resources with which to tackle and eliminate poverty from Nigeria. Undermining a large segment of our population is similar to deploying two thirds of our resources whilst neglecting the deployment of a sizable chunk, as large as one thirds.
Same way some nations neglect to develop their national human capital, by neglecting gender equality for women who are in fact a majority of national populations worldwide. No normal pilot flies large jet airplanes with one engine, ordinarily.
Igbos’ genuine desires and aspirations as full citizens of Nigeria, have been neglected and ignored for far too long. It is gross and extreme injustice for any reasonable person to expect Igbos to remain happy campers in stagnation for so long. All fair minded Nigerians only need to put themselves in the unacceptable position and circumstances which have been imposed on fellow Nigerians of Igbo heritage.
All Nigerians need to and must vigorously discuss Nigeria and the events which led to the ignominious Nigerian Civil War. All Nigerians need to similarly discuss the economic and political developments and occurrences in the aftermath of the Nigeria-Biafra War.
Nigeria need truth, sincere reconciliation and national healing. Constantly blaming Igbos, who are arguably the recipients of the roughest end of the Civil War stick, is a national disservice and disgrace! It takes two sides to fight any war. Blaming one side to a thirty month long war is unreasonable, particularly so, after these 40 long years after the war.
Democracy in Nigeria and across the world is messy and in fact, quite imperfect, this is even more so, in relatively younger democracies such as our in Nigeria. This messes and imperfection become even more complex in multicultural, plural, and secular nations such as ours. Democracies, even in plural societies in which the most qualified persons with passion, commitment and dedication to best public policies for national common good are certainly preferred.
Nigeria’s young democracy, nascent, so-called, is still susceptible to negative common denominators of ethnic, regional, religious differences big and small, real and imagined. And so, the concerns and fears of marginalization and relegation are tenaciously held deeply felt. All Nigerians should recognize these basic facts and therefore do unto Igbos as the rest of Nigerians outside Igboland would expect unto themselves!
All things considered, Igbo Nigerians have be patient and levelheaded even in the face egregious provocations imbued in offensively laced pronouncements regarding Igbos genuine desires and aspirations within the nation of Nigeria. All Nigerians should become more conversant with the fact that the sun also rises in Igboland.
There are millions of competent women and men, Igbos included, who are eminently qualified to occupy the highest political office in the land, and to assume and exercise presidential powers and duties in Nigeria.
Google Search:
1. 2007 Presidential Elections In Nigeria And Ndigbo's Genuine Aspirations. circa 2005
2. What Do Ndiigbo Want? From Biafra To MASSOB. circa 2004
3. Biafra Is Dead, Buried & No More! circa 2005
DANGER ALERT: Ohakim’s Critics in Diaspora Beware
By Mclord Obioha
December 2010
Let me start this rebuttal by identifying myself to those who do not know me very well. My name is Mclord Obioha. I was born in Aba where I attended both Primary and Secondary school and lived most of my youthful life. I am from Orlu Senatorial zone in Imo state. I live happily in New York City with my children and wife who is from Mbaise, Imo State. I started my journalism career in 1975 as a reporter with the then NTV Channel 6 Aba under the tutelage of senior colleagues such as Phillip Okereke (Network News), Chudi Onuzor, Tobechi Ndukwe, Innocent Igwe, etc. During my days in television, I was variously NTA’s, Imo State Government House reporter, Roving reporter, Reporter, Local Reports, Editor, “From Imo State Assembly”, Assistant News Editor, NTA Aba, Owerri Office. My last job was as the Producer/Anchor of the intrepid, 30 minutes investigative newsmagazine, “A Matter of Truth” which was similar to CBS 60 Minutes. My viewers in those days know that I would rather quit my job than shy away from reporting news of genuine public interest and truth. I have been an accredited member of the Nigerian Union of Journalist since 1975. Before I joined NTA, I turned down University of Nigeria, Nsukka’s offer of admission to study Animal science because it was not my calling.
My wife and I obtained our BA and Master’s Degrees in journalism from Kentucky, U. S. A. My wife and I were arguably the first to publish the first and truly Nigerian monthly newsmagazine in the U.S.A, called THE NIGERIAN followed by AFRICAN NEWSREEL, The Newspaper for Africans in Diaspora. Here is Wole Soyinka commenting on our editorial stance that led to the christening of a New York City street near Nigerian Consulate as Kudirat Abiola’s Corner: “Your editorials are not only principled, but unexceptionally argued. They are comprehensive yet succinct and uphold the best tradition of Nigerian journalism…keep up the good work.”
I have taken great pains to reveal my identity so that people will be able to appraise my credentials and asses my credibility as the author of that detailed and analytical report on “How Gov. Ohakim ruined Imo State” that is generating debate in beer parlors, meetings, newsgroups, websites and news houses worldwide. I wrote that article not as a journalist but as a citizen of Imo State who cannot keep quiet while some infidels and passersby run down my own dear state. Since that article appeared, I have read several commentaries following it. Most of the rejoinders were educative, encouraging or enlightening while some ranged from pathetic, paralytic, psychotic, to sheer pedestrian hence this rebuttal. At first, I thought of ignoring some of these chatters because I know where they were coming from but on a second thought and for the sake of my admirers, I am taking the pain once again to expose another ugly development that is currently going on in Imo State which many are not aware of.
I want to alert our brothers and sisters in Diaspora who write articles that are critical of the Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim to beware. He is out for blood to consolidate his stay as the Governor of Imo State. His reach now is beyond Imo State. I have been reliably informed by some colleagues of mine whom I have always considered as impeccable sources that these critics run the risk of being chased down by governor’s hatchet men when they visit home, while those on the internet can be devoured by his vicious, powerful killer machine on the net. My source told me to notice the short time it takes for his paid goons to devour any critics--almost the same time that a posting appears on the net. Make no mistake about it, Ohakim is a very smart man. Contrary to what people ascribe to him from being the so called former secretary of the ill-fated and infamous 419 Association to writing off his diminutive stature—a major mistake most of his opponent make--he is endowed with fast, crooked thinking. He knows the power of advertising, and the press. In Owerri today, there are ubiquitous billboards proclaiming his “achievements.” One has an inscription, “Suffer a little and enjoy forever.” He has hired the best writers in the land and equipped them. Pini Jason, once a reputable journalist is a case in point. Even those who used to be on the other side of the aisle are now in his corner. Many will be shocked to know that the people they argue with on the internet are in fact Ohakim’s paid staff, my source confided in me. Ohakim has the most effective Directorate of Information and Propaganda machine in Nigeria today. What do they do? These paid hack writers prowl the internet, “googling” for any voice of dissent against his “Excellency”. When next you see or read an article written against you, look no farther for the author. It was written directly from Owerri or by your fellow Igbo living and working in the USA or any of the western democracies. Names like “John Obinna”, “Chinedu Osinulo” are not real names. They are pen names of people who write rebuttals against Ohakim’s critics. Some of them double as members of the foreign branch of his New Face Organization who live in the USA, UK and other foreign countries while camouflaging their real day job. As a compensation for their dirty job overseas, Ohakim pays their mortgages and vacation for their families. Notice how he picks his Special Assistants from here. One day, I will, like Wikileaks unmask these people who are scuttling our march to progress in Nigeria. They are not your unlettered Mom and Pop at home. The very same highly educated people who studied in the USA and UK are covering up the rot and malversation that is going on in our state today. They are similar to our Legis-looters who killed the Freedom of Information Bill. How can our embryonic democracy thrive in a country san freedom of press -which is sine qua non in a progressive society? Freedom is like a parachute. It works best when open. In Owerri today, people are scared to express themselves for fear of harassment. Even the press has been browbeaten by Ohakim’s influence and control.
It is on record that of all the responses to my article, only three rebutted what I wrote. Let me take few seconds to pay unfeigned tribute to those who have, despite all the huge resources that the governor invests on his campaign of calumny, been a bulwark to any attempt to suppress voices of dissent in our state today. Space and time cannot permit me to remember everyone but I cannot fail to mention just few names. Emenike Nwankwo, Ikenna Anokute, Oderaigbo , etc. I was particularly enthused by the erudite and cerebral posting of Dr. Emenike Nwankwo who counseled Frank Ekeigwe to discredit my report with fact instead of attacking me. Write on brother! You clearly distinguished your PhD from those bought from the internet. As for those who are on the wrong side of history today supporting all these corrupt leaders, I refer them to this emotional story. Once upon a time, there was an Imo crooked politician/contractor who constructed a sub standard, dilapidated road that inadvertently led to an accident that killed his relative “Pikin we shoot catapult for inside market, how im no se im papa or mama no de there? One day, these selfish agents will look back and shed crocodile tears on how they ruined Ala Igbo in their mad rush and craze for filthy lucre while other states progressed. Their conscience and posterity will ask them what they did when corrupt leaders pillaged Imo. Othman Dan Fodio once said that conscience is like an open wound and only truth shall heal it.
Late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe once characterized journalism as a thankless job. Again, real journalism is not for anyone who can just write. It requires more than just good writing. Yes, a good journalist must have a good command of the language but he or she must also be ready to suffer all forms of indignities, even death in the pursuit of truth. I have been harassed, threatened and detained by the powers that be. I was in Umuahia when my senior colleague, Agwu Okpanku, Features Editor, “The Daily Star” of “Killing Biafra” fame, died that night under a cloud of suspicion and cobweb of doubts. Chido Nwangwu, the publisher of today’s Houston, Texas based USAfricaonline.com was there with us at NTA Aba when the kitchen was hot. He is a living witness to my record then. Journalism runs in my blood and it is a profession I love and for which I’m willing to if need be, die for in the pursuit of truth. I recall the comment of Mike Ahamba, SAN during my Send off party to USA at Ambassador Hotel, Aba to study what else, but journalism, “It is one thing to be a dedicated journalist but it takes a strong mind to be a courageous journalist as McLord Obioha.” Freedom is not free. A man dies who cannot express himself. Courageous journalists and unfettered press make that freedom possible. They do so with pains and even with their lives. Remember Dele Giwa. He left his footprints on the sand of time and when the history of our country will be written, he will merit more ink than perhaps today’s Babaginda, Abacha et al who will be dumped at the footnote of history.
A good and reputable journalist should take pains to not only write well with facts and figures but must separate facts from fiction. Facts are sacred but comments are free. The article I wrote on Ohakim’s government was based on my own personal experiences plus incontrovertible facts that are well documented but carefully concealed from public view. I know some of the people I mentioned in that report personally. I have met Bob Njemanze, Onyeagocha, Udenwa, Alan B, etc. I was with Magnus Orjiakor. I leave it up to the people to ascertain or rebut what I wrote about them, not a third party or government paid fake agent to do that for them. I went to Gov. Ohakim’s home town to see his old house and his new magnificent, palatial palace in his hometown, Okohia--just few blocks away from his boulevard. I drove through Amaraka when it rained, I experienced traffic nightmare at Orji and Egbeada “Fly Over”, under construction, Nworie River dregding, Ugiri community where mothers were clearing the road after a thunderstorm fell down trees, Okigwe unmotorable roads to see the abandoned, ill-fated water scheme, Shoe Industry Owerri, which is overgrown with weeds. I visited Orlu Medical School which has been in a state of decay since former Gov. Udenwa deposited the last equipment he got from America. I was there when President Goodluck Jonathan visited and all the lights suddenly came on at Wetheral and Okigwe roads. I have photos to prove these claims, but let me just leave you with the photo of your fellow Imo citizens suffering to dig out their car from one of the gullies on one of the roads which his “Excellency” built or maintains. It’s right there in the heart of Owerri at MCC/Chukwuma Nwoha road. Another of the photo is New Face Van stuck in “Nworie River” of Ohakim’s ill maintained road. The caption of this photo should read—you guessed right—THE REAL NEW FACE OF IMO STATE TODAY. There you have it people, his Excellency smiling at his progress. I still hope that I will be the first African to win a Pulitzer Prize with this photo. Whoever coined the wise saying that , “Pikin we shoot catapult for inside market, how im no se im papa or mama no de there” was right afterall. Ohakim , Na kwa echeki-O! as Eze Njemanze once told our FORMER, late Gov. Ikwechegh before he left his post. It shows that No condition is permanent!
I was disappointed when Ohakim government spokesman, Mr. Osinulo said that I was rehearsing old facts. So, what’s wrong with restating what is obvious for posterity? Even if I rehearsed already known facts, is that a spirited defense? Does that make the mess and the problem Ohakim created any less severe or go away? I expected him to explain the reason behind all these failed projects. Failed Oguta Wonder lake, failed Agro Nova, failed Shoe Industry, failed Okigwe Water Scheme, failed Imo Airline, failed 10, 000 jobs for youths, failed Road, failed interconnectivity Multilane Freeway, failed Oak Refinery, etc. Just recently, the Association of Imo State Journalists released a press statement in which they “rehearsed” and condemned almost all the same projects that Ohakim abandoned. Does anybody still remember what happened to Avutu Poultry, AdaPalm and other Industrialization of Imo state scheme which Mbakwe started but died in the hands of our so called present and past corrupt governors? What happened to Abadaba Lake, in Obowo, the tourist attraction that no one talks about anymore?
It is unfortunate that “Osinulo” who claims to live in New York and is “a regular reader of (McLord’s) newspaper here in New York” spelt Pulitzer wrongly which clearly showed that he does not live in the USA. I want to particularly warn him and his likes that there are technologies now to track down liars who claim to be where they are not. I did a Geo Internet Protocol and found out that he does not live in New York. “US” is not “us”. I’m a member of a silent pressure/lobby group that is currently cataloguing the names of these corrupt people who will be denied visas by the US embassies when they attempt to come here to deposit their filthy loot and ill gotten wealth.
My professor in Public Relations and Propaganda class taught me that the easiest way to know paid writers and their lies is to watch their tone and language. They shoot from all corners with no facts to substantiate their airs and graces. At first, you may think they are saying something reasonable but if you go beyond the facade of those jaw breaking grammar and highfalutin language, you will see the emptiness in their thesis. Sample: “Your joining the clowns of Nigerian “brownbag” journalists who get paid to damage peoples reputation by writing from scripts with no proper investigation is not only a damage to your family reputation but to the profession itself” Where are the facts? Zero, Zip. Zilch, None, Nada. Yet, another infantile tantrum: “Let us take the case of Eze Festus wife where the kidnappers were finally arrested in Anambra state. My question is whether Mr. McLord interviewed the kidnappers who were arrested to find out who politically motivated them.” How sweet the life and work of a paid goon. They will say anything to convince their master that they are working for their pay. How do you think they got the name praise singer? Let’s analyze the logic behind what this goon said in defense of his daily bread: That criminals are stationary and do not move from one place to another to avoid detection. Who could be more mobile and itinerant than one running away from the law? See what these faceless, hired writers do---all for a day’s pay? May I remind this hired pen that interviewing these so called paid kidnappers is not “investigative journalism” as he branded it. It falls within the style of reporting called in-depth reporting. And by the way, there is no such thing as “investigative journalism”. It is called investigative reporting. Journalism is a profession and there are three styles of reporting, namely “investigative, in-depth and interpretative reporting.
One faceless writer who masquerades between several fake names like “John Obi” “James Obinna” and “John Obinna” had the effrontery to ask me to explain how I came about my figures about the allocation that Imo received from the Federal government of Nigeria. I stand by my story that the total amount that Imo has received from Federal Government since Ohakim came into power stood at N400 billion. Former CBN Director, Mr. Soludo was even the one who disclosed that the state received a sum of N100 billion as special grant plus additional N12 billion to control erosion at Dikenafai and other areas ravaged by erosion in the state. If the government spokesman, “Osinulo” and “James Obi” et al dispute my figure, let them tell their boss to come up with the official figure instead of directing us to the government fraudulent websites. Who do they think we are? Some gullible? Do they see stupid written all over our faces? If we were to rely on government scripted version of information then, there would be no need for investigative reporting. This is the same government website that Ohakim used to con innumerable exasperated job seekers of N2, 000 applications each to a nonexistent 10,000 jobs? Look at the level of unemployment in Imo state today. Apart from having the highest in the country, the only employment in that state for our youths today is unfortunately prostitution. Why not? They couldn’t go back to their university which the governor renamed after his crooked boss who made him a commissioner. It has just been reopened after four months of closure.
As for my very good friend, Frank Ekeigwe who knows how much I hate greed and graft but chose to deceive his readers when he alleged that “I was working for Rochas Okorocha”, I leave it up to him to explain how he concocted such a nefarious allegation. Throughout my years as Imo citizen, I have not met anybody called Rochas Okoracha. It was only recently that I saw his face on the pages of the newspaper. I consider it not only insulting and downright asinine for him to clothe me in such undeserving robe. He owes me an unfeigned apology for this “slip” of the pen.
If there is any more reason to believe that lies and rumors have faster legs than those of truth, this is it. No sooner Ekeigwe’s vomited this tortured logic than one Ohakim Blackberry “New Face agent” jumped on it and swallowed it hook line and sinker. Hear him: “Mazi Frank has said it all. This Mclord Obioha went home to bury his mother but unfortunately spent more than four months, got financially broke and Rochas Okorocha came to the rescue with bags of Ghana Must Go. Do you blame him for (sic) he must write rubbish to justify his rescue. This guy should be a multimillionaire for who knows how much he was paid by Rochas.” --Signed Obinna.
These guys will do anything to defend their daily pay. They now have no respect for the dead. May God help us! Adi kwa ama ama, I did not borrow a penny from anyone to bury my mother in Nigeria.
Regards,
McLord Obioha.
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The Rev. Dr. Ernest Oramasionwu & The Enduring Power of Igbo Traditional Religion, Fragments of the Perennial Philosophy |
After reading the Enduring Power of Igbo Traditional Religion, Fragments of the Perennial Philosophy, the ancient days of the Igbos and the traditional religion, the society and the culture of the Igbo world came alive. Oramasionwu used his skillful writing and analysis to glorify what was left and made meaningful of the old days of the Igbo world. He has woven the world of the ancient Igbo society well into the new world of today in such a way that one cannot but want to read it. I was very encouraged by his account and less demoralized or worried about those among us, Igbos and haters alike, who fell refreshed by their calls and actions toward our extinction.
Rev Dr Oramasionwu is not just gifted and skilled. He is an Igbo philosopher. His analysis of the ancient Igbo world was presented with heart-stopping clarity that you cannot wait but read it. His love for the Igbo world and faithfulness to the customs and traditions, no doubt will draw you into another period of the hearts and souls of the Igbo nation and help you to learn and appreciate the lessons of our history with life-changing emotions. His account is richly textured layer after layer as he attempts to use Igbo proverbs, names, and meanings to tell the story of the perennial period. The religion, beliefs, customs and relationships of man and land, water, animals, space, family and the role of the different sects in the creative order are richly presented.
His research and analysis though philosophical, is not only an echo in the darkness of the ancient Igbo world but also a testimony of the love brought alive from another time period, a culture that has survived the test of time. The fragments of the perennial philosophy is an account of the struggle of the Igbo traditional religion, their faith and love for their culture and one another, their relationships with what they hold sacred and their desire to live a holistic life in anticipation of meeting their ancestors and living side by side with them in harmony. This book is very well written with clarity and authenticity. Equally inspiring is the detail woven so smoothly into the patterns of the characters of the Igbo family and their relationships with those before us, how they lived and how we ought to live. Oramasionwu shows that the Igbo world is alive, there is an inherent good in Igbo society. Their language, psyche, customs, and religious practices are symbolic interactions of a people striving for perfection.
Professor Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart (1958) asserts that things fell apart and the center could not hold. Professor Achebe’s account was a clash of the traditional Igbo culture and European colonialism at the turn of the 20th century. Achebe wanted to show that the beliefs and the traditional African culture were breaking down. He wanted to explain a complex African society to the world that lacked her understanding and simply called her primitive. In his attempt, howerever, he succeeded in presenting the Igbos as a complicated rich society. His “Things Falling Apart” assertion was made in the “heat, fog and emotion of the contact period.” But Oramasionwu’s opinion was that things have not really fallen apart, rather, what fell were the “dross and loose materials while the core of the Igbo culture and religion survived.” There are some among us Igbos, who do not see any good in us, who call some of the best among us names and wish a cultural death to what was once held dear and sacred. Some that have lost their minds are calling for a total extinction of the Igbo world. They claim that the Igbos are not religious. The Philosopher, Dr. Oramasionwu opined that the Igbos are “incurably religious.”
This book is a profound work of intellectual proportion; a devotion to faith and a beautiful work well documented. It challenges the reader to do a bit of soul-searching, to hold dear to what our ancestors left for us and to endeavor to play our part in making the Igbo world a better place within the greater world. Rev. Dr Ernest Oramasionwu is a distinguished writer, one who is in command and skilled in the use of the English language. Those who have difficulties in analytical and advanced \English many need to keep a dictionary at hand to comprehend what may be a challenge to the English man.
By reading this book, one learns the Igbo concept or system of “prescriptive ethics,” the “triangular relationships” between ani, the ancestors and the living. To understand this system, one has to learn and appreciate, the “geotropism of Omenani, the dignity of labor, the recognition of achievement, the ordered structure of Omenani by which the Igbo man engages in constructive reality“. After reading this book, the Igbo man’s contribution to social construction rather than the destruction becomes relevant and evident.
Oramasionwu reveals that the Igbo ancient customs are the basic socio-religious infrastructure, the ultimate goodness in the preservation of Omenani, the sacred value of ani and that the Igbo language and Omenani are the greatest heritage and treasure of the Igbo man. In this book the Igbo social, political structure, the acquisition of a title, their merits and corresponding responsibilities are very instructive. One does not buy Igbo titles rather they are earned and whosoever that is titled has an obligation to live up to the expectations of the people or face ancestry destruction.
In this book Oramasionwu makes an authoritative comparative analysis of Igbo traditional religion and places it side by side with other forms and calls for a greater understanding of the Igbo world view. To understand the Igbo world view he assets, would require a knowledge of their holistic interaction, their socio-cultural and political socialization as embedded in Omenani of Igbo people which forms their basic religious philosophy.
This book is a scholarly analysis of the Igbo world and a major contribution to the study of the Igbos and history in general. Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Ernest Oramasionwu. Long live the Igbo people!!
Chief James Ikechukwu Amadi,
Omere Oha I of Avu., Owerri
West Local Govt. Area Imo State
Nigeria.
February 2011.