Clement Nnachi ( Abakaliki)
A Socio-Cultural Organisation known as “Igbo Leaders of Thought” comprising elder statesmen from the south-east geo-political zones of the country, has urged Governors of the five states of the zone to strive and champion National Integration of the zone geared towards enhancing the region’s development.
The National Chairman of the Group and Constitutional Lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, made the assertion in Abakaliki on Friday when a delegation of he Organization paid a courtesy visit to Governor David Umahi at the Executive Council Chambers Government House .
Professor Nwabueze represented by the Deputy Chairman Professor Chiweyite Ejike, said that the Group was committed in providing intellectual perspective of the people of the zone vis a vis other ethnic nationalities of the country.
He said that the objective of the visit among other issues was to present a Document on perspective to Rapid development of Igbo nation to Governor Umahi titled “Perspective in National Development”
“South-east Governors must keep faith with the Nigeria project, provide intellectual perspective of our people, champion the integration of Ndi-Igbo in Nigeria equation “
“Igbo leaders of Thought has made concerted efforts in projecting the zone, the Igbos should not accept to be playing second fiddle in the National politics of the country”
“The leaders of Thought has produced Position Papers on National Discourse /Issues that has been distributed across the country on moving the region forward”
Earlier in his speech, Governor David Umahi urged various cultural Groups in the region to embark on programmes and policies that will uplift the status and well-being of the people of the geo-political zone.
He urged the various socio-cultural organisations in the zone to form a synergy with the objective of proffering remedies that would assist the people of the zone overcome their challenges.
“Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo can not be opposed to other socio-cultural groups in Igbo land, they are partners, the important thing is to have an objective of helping our people, the organisations are supposed to be selfless and non-political”.
Umahi charged Igbo leaders of Thought not to be confrontational in their demands to secure Igbo’s rightful position in Nigeria Project.
“Any Group that I am hosting that will castigate Mr. President or Governor, I will switch off the microphone against them, what will castigation do to us, it will not help us as a people.
“You can not confront Leadership in the pursuit of your agenda, rather adopt dialogue and negotiation, pray for the political leaders at various levels, I do not support the idea of confrontation , God has a purpose of making leaders,” he admonished.
The Governor charged the Group to proffer solutions on conflict resolutions of boundary issues in the zone and other neighboring states and provide road maps in terms of research and development of the people.
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“Igbo Leaders of Thought should tackle Boundary disputes among States, support our people in their business and entrepreneurship .
Umahi used the occasion to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for approving N10 billion for the renovation and other repairs of the Akanu Ibiam Airport Enugu in addition to the Federal Government efforts to develop Aba town in Abia State as Industrial city of the region.
He announced that the State Government has launched ” Operation Zero Out of School Children” in order to eliminate the menace posed by its challenge in the society.
Highlights of the visit was the Group presentation of a Document titled “Perspective in National Development” that highlights the road map on rapid development of Igbo nation to Governor Umahi .
Members of the delegation of ‘Igbo Leaders of Thought’ included Senator Anyim Ude, Professor Elochukwu Amucheazu ( Secretary), Professor Sylvester Okenyi, Rt. Hon Augustine Nwankwegu, Professor Emeka Nwakpu, members of the clergy and Chief Bonny Iwuoha ( former National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists) among others.
It would be recalled that ‘Igbo Leaders of Thought ‘ is one of the numerous socio-cultural organisations in the south-east geo-political zone of the country whose membership cuts across the five states of the zone, with the objective of projecting the core values of the zone and its acceptability to other ethnic-nationalities of the country.
