Eze Leonard Anayochukwu Agha is the Eze Ndigbo of Somolu in Somolu
Local Government Area of Lagos State. In this interview, Agha traced the
beginning of marginalisation of Ndigbo to the end of the civil war and
called on the in-coming government, led by Muhammadu Buhari to implement
the Confab report which would give the South East additional states. He
speaks on other national issues.Excerpts:
Looking at Ndigbo in Nigerian politics, would you say they have been marginalised?
Ndigbo are marginalised in many ways like in the area of employment, state creation, civil service and federal appointments. For instance, since independence, besides Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe who briefly held sway as ceremonial Head of State in the First Republic and General Aguiyi Ironsi who ruled for six months as military ruler, no Igbo man has attained the position of President of the country.
Even after the bitter civil war that lasted for 30 months and General Yakubu Gowon declared ‘no victor, no vanquished’, it took close to three decades before an Igbo man in the person of General Azubuike Ihejirika was appointed Chief of Army Staff by the outgoing President, Goodluck Jonathan.
So, when you look at the ordeal of Ndigbo in Nigeria, you will find out that they have been pushed to the fringe by the successive administration in the country.
How has Igbo contributed to the unity and development of Nigeria?
They have done so through their geographical spread. When you look at the nooks and crannies of the country, there is no place you won’t find Ndigbo. By this singular act, they have built bridge of unity between them and their host communities. At times, they even intermarry with other ethnic groups and by so doing, entrenched cordial relationship among Nigerians. Through their commerce and trade, they have contributed to economic growth and empowerment.
But unfortunately, instead of the effort and sacrifice to earn them recognition, it has become source of envy for some of their host communities who now saw them as threat. That is why anytime there is riot, Igbo man becomes the number one target.
Should Buhari revisit the Confab Report?
Muhammadu Buhari, during his campaign assured Nigerians that he would implement the Confab report. With that, I hope he would increase the South East states to six. It is disturbing that while the other geopolitical zones have six states, the South East has continued to lag behind. This sad development has resulted in economic and political loss. So, unless this structural imbalance is addressed, Igbo would continue to view themselves as being marginalised.post by expdonaloaded.blogspot.com..
So, if Buhari decided to implement the result and equity is attained, then the people from South East would have sense of belongings. So, even though he would create 20 states for example, the south East must at least have one, thereafter, others can follow.
Do the Igbo have cause to fear under Buhari?
Not-at-all. Buhari is not new to Ndigbo. During his first coming as military Head of State, he worked with the Igbo. If you remember, Prof Idika Kalu worked in his administration as Finance minister. Most of his principal officers then like Prof. Tam David-West were not even from his tribe. So, as a detribalized Nigerian, Buhari would go for those who can help him deliver good governance to Nigerians. I’m sure that our Okechukwu Buhari would carry Ndigbo along in the scheme of things.
Can you trace the genesis of themarginalisation of Ndigbo in Nigeria?
I can trace it to the end of the civil war. Before the war, the Igbo nation was very prosperous. Onitsha market was then the largest market in Africa. In the Civil service, military and the police, they occupied top positions. But with the bitter civil war, we lost everything and have to start from the scratch. The matter was even compounded when Chief Obafemi Awolowo regardless of savings of average Igboman, gave them 20 pounds to start life. So, poverty and the struggle for survival forced Ndigbo to leave their homeland and tried to earn livings in other parts of the country.
Today, as individuals, they have proved to be successful but as a group, they are yet to attain the desire of their founding fathers by occupying the vantage position they were before the civil war.
Would you say Dr Ogbonnaya Onu deserves to be appointed SGF?
Yes, he merits that position because today, he is the most high-ranking Igbo man in All Progressives Congress (APC). So, by right, he has no other contender to that office. While he was governor of the old Abia State, Dr Onu was able to implement policies that helped develop the state. It was under his watch that Abia State University, Uturu was established. So as a detribalized gentleman, he would apply experience acquired over the years to move the country forward. If he is appointed SGF, Ndigbo would see this as part of effort by the in-coming government to curtail marginalization of the Igbo race.
But some people blame Ndigbo for lack of unity among them
In Igbo land, we have several wise men and women who always like to flaunt their wisdom. So, it is not surprising that there is infighting whenever there is position for leadership. But you will agree with me that in the last election, they spoke with one voice to support a candidate of their choice. In the future, I see them galvanizing ideas to move the race forward.
With large numbers of Igbo outside their homeland, how have they been able to protect their culture in foreign land?
Ndigbo are the Jews of Africa because of similarity in our culture and tradition. When I was in Jerusalem, I discovered that we share similar customs like naming ceremony, circumcision, burial, etc. So anywhere we go we speak our language and practise our tradition like the New Yam festival, breaking of kolanuts and pouring of libations. Through this festivals, our children learn from our rich cultures.
What is your advice for Buhari?
I know that Buhari is the listening type. I will like him to build a team that is compatible with his ideology. He should appoint people with impeccable characters in principal offices so as to give good governance to Nigerians
Click photo to download; but you lied to me by Expdona aka finish gravity
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