The Igbos have said they contributed over 30 per cent to the development of Lagos and have helped in developing Abuja too, adding that the present state of affairs in the country makes it imperative for the people to look inwards to build Igboland.
The Igbos reached this decision Thursday when Igbo leaders gathered in Owerri, Imo State capital, where the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called the government and traditional institutions of the South-East states to a think-tank in Owerri tagged Igbo Unity Forum.
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Gary Enwo Igariwey whle welcoming participants said the Igbo group has been striving to be the mouth-piece of the people of the region without success. He therefore expressed joy that they had succeeded in closing ranks in order to move the race forward.
Igariwey said, “We have never had it like this in coming together to proffer solutions to Igbo problems,”
While noting that the Igbos are very adventurous and great achievers, he pointed out that they contributed over 30 per cent to the development of Lagos and have helped in developing Abuja too.
He said it was time for the Igbos to think home to replicate those things they have done in Lagos and Abuja.
“We should come together and solve our problems. We are known for our resilience and industry. Thirty per cent of investments in Lagos and Abuja is owned by Ndigbo but now we are calling on our people to think home and build another Abuja in Igbo land.
“We should invest at home to create jobs for our people. So, today is a special day because we have decided as a people to close ranks and proffer solutions to our problems,” he said.
Former governor of old Anambra State, who chaired the occasion, Senator Jim Nwobodo, called on successful businessmen of Igbo extraction to start investing at home in order to create employment opportunities for Igbo youths.
In a lecture, the guest lecturer at the occasion, Prof. Anya O. Anya, said the time has come for Ndigbo to re-recover themselves if they must survive in the current situation in the country, adding that, “The solutions to our problems can only be found within and not outside. We are the only ones that can solve our own problems.”
He stated further that: “We are preparing to rebuild Igbo land to meet with the Nigeria of the 21st Century. We have gathered because the time is critical so that we can chart a new course for our people. There has never been a time we are faced with a barrage of problems like now so we need our past to find solutions to our problems.”
