CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM AMB. PROF GEORGE A. OBIOZOR, PRESIDENT-GENERAL, OHANAEZE NDIGBO WORLDWIDE TO NDIGBO ON 17THDECEMBER, 2021
Our Compatriots, the year 2021 has unarguably been a hectic one for the world and equally for Ndigbo. One can say, unequivocally, that it has been quite a long and tortuous period. Symbolically, it has been one year that thoroughly tested our faith and further solidified our resolve as a people.
Just as we were smarting from the disruptions of the previous year, occasioned by the Covid-19 induced lockdowns, EndSarsprotests and the attendant economic uncertainties, the peace of the Southeast and most parts of Ala Igbo was disrupted by the activities of some of our Youths. Killings, arson, police and military brutality and extortion were among the challenges we had to contend with in the outgoing year.
But, I thank God for the resilience and cooperation of our political, religious, traditional and business leaders who worked with us so tenaciously to overcome these challenges. To the glory of God, Ala Igbo is returning to her peaceful and boisterous state.
It is my hope that the upcoming’ year will be a lot better than the outgoing one for Ndigbo and Nigeria in all ramifications. In the incoming year, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide shall refocus attention to some of the following key issues, and I invite you all to come on board with your ideas and suggestions towards addressing these very important issues: 1. SECURITY: Insecurity in South East is politically orchestrated to achieve a desired political objective and also to deceive and divert the attention of the people of south East and the rest of Nigeria.
Insecurity is a poisoned arrow deliberately fired on the South East.We in Ohanaeze say categorically that the architects of this mischievous scheme have failed woefully. Insecurity will not be an excuse to deny the Presidency of Nigeria to the South East in 2023.
Insecurity as you know is everywhere in the country and a serious National problem. Nigeria is not new to crises and conflicts; the only good thing about it is that the Country has had a magic solution to it, whenever the country reaches the brinks. The magic has worked in the past in Nigeria’s leaders’capacity to develop doctrines of necessity,these are equally doctrines of creative use of conflicts and crises in nation building and National unity. And these doctrines have worked in the past, this too shall pass. It is these doctrines that have enabled the country to stand strong and united when any other country would have disintegrated and perished. This accounts for Nigerians resilience and manifest destiny.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide calls upon the South East Governors to keep their promise by rolling out the security outfit, Ebubeagu before 31st December, 2021. This will go a long way to enhance security situation in the South East.
2. NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OF IGBO EXTRACTION.
Infact no people in recent history have been unfortunate or at best had a mixed fortune or blessings as Ndigbo in Nigeria politics and governance. For example quite often the Igbo energy and enterprise were misunderstood as being over ambitious. The Igbo talents and ability to turn adversities into advantages, obstacles into opportunities and difficulties into dividends were misrepresented as attempt at domination.
Consequently, Ndigbo were confronted with anger or envy, hostility and violence at any given crisis in Nigeria and even outside Nigeria. Ndigbo believe and seek Nigeria unity but not unity of slaves and masters, we seek peace but not peace of the grave yard. We seek justice because we know that throughout history those denied justice have had no interest in peace.
Today Nigeria President of Igbo extraction is imperative and an idea whose time has come. Definitely our history and political reality in our country makes it a national necessity which is anchored on equity, justice and fairness.
Nigerian President of Igbo extraction is politically justifiable and morally defensible. It is a signal of healing and uniting the Nation.In 1999, the country for the purpose of healing the Nation and creative use of crises and conflicts yielded the Presidency to the South West.
I ask Ndigbo everywhere from today to make every effort to convince other Nigerians in Political parties and organizations that ours is a righteous cause whose time has come. In this connection, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide will soon announce a Political Action Committee to go round the country to canvass for the support and understanding of other Nigerians for this noble project.
Be not discouraged, the Igbo struggle for justice, equity and fairness in Nigeria has been long and agonizing but there is light at the end of the tunnel. As Nelson Mandela said, it looks impossible until it is done. With the new narratives of courage without rancor, wisdom without arrogance and intelligence with humility, we will be able to persuade our fellow Nigerians that it is time to re-integrate Ndigbo effectively into the mainstream ofNigerian political process and governance. This is in the National interest.
3.ALAIGBO STABILIZATION FUND:Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in the coming year, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide will also focus on the implementation of the Alaigbo stabilization fund, the technical committee of which is headed by Prof. OsitaOgbu. I wish to commend them most sincerely on behalf of the Igbo nation on the job they have done so far
4.ON YOUTHS:
On our youths and the evil trend of drug abuse, I must say it is most worrisome. It is sad that the once reverred and famed Igbo youths are now associated with a very dangerous and destructive drug called crystal meth (mkpuru mmiri). This new low in our psycho-social milieu must be condemned and reproved by everyone. Youths world over remain the hope and enduring legacy of a society. We shall not allow our youths degenerate any further on account of this new destructive drug in town.
I therefore call on all parents to restrain their wards from any form of drug abuse, be it cannabis sativa (Indian hemp), hard drinks or crystal meth. I equally call on the couriers or dealers of these destructive drugs to stop forthwith. We should not be seen as aiding and abetting illicit drugs. The psychological and social harm of this phenomenon is too much to bear. It is therefore unacceptable to continue treading on this destructive path.
Much of the violence and criminality witnessed in Igbo land could be owed to the spate of drug abuse prevalent among our youths. The time to end this antisocial and deviant behaviour is now. Ohanaeze Ndigbowill liaise with the Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with a view to stemming the tide of this very disconcerting trend.
I wish you merry Christmas and happy new year.
Thank you.
