THE much- publicized Igbo Day organized by Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide took place in Awka, Anambra State yesterday, with politicians, including all the governors, ministers, state and national assembly members from Igbo –speaking states conspicuously absent at the ceremony.
The secretary to the Anambra State government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze was the only top government official present at the ceremony, though there were some traditional rulers from Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi states, as well as some women groups and Igbos in Diaspora.
Also, the Ijaw National Congress and Arewa Consultative Forum sent delegations to the ceremony and pledged to continue to build bridges of unity with Ndigbo.
At the event the apex Igbo body stated that for equity and justice, Ndigbo will seek the office of president of Nigeria at the expiration of the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan in line with its position on the issue in 2010.
National president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igarewei, in his speech reminded Igbos that there is nothing like home, urging Igbos residing in other parts of the country to invest in their home states as that is the surest investment they can fall back on in the event of crisis.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Sojourner remember Igbo land’, Igarewey said the suggestion became necessary because of the unfolding events in the country.
He said: “Our central theme revolves around an issue that has generated many different shades of opinions, controversies and commentaries, which is the impressive demand for our people to repatriate their working wealth and invest it at home.
“Our call is not in any shape of form the product of parochialism or sentimentalism or informed by a hatred of one united Nigeria. It is an action, which if heeded, shall even go a long way in sustaining the fragile fabric of a united and virile Federal Republic.
“The specter of being landlord in Lagos, Abuja or Kano, but reside in hotels in Enugu, Awka or Owerri is shocking, ludicrous and contrary to all logical considerations.”
He said that suggestions which claim that the primary motivations of those who invest massively outside Igboland are lack of security and good market environment were no longer tenable, arguing that the security situation in Igbo land has greatly improved.
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