Igbo council of europe

AFRICAN TIGER Strategic Development Agenda for the

Igbo Nation

MISSION STATEMENT The Igbo Council of Europe (ICE) is an advocacy and consultancy group with a powerful vision to herald the great Igbo renaissance built around the principle of fraternity, equality, progress and purposeful leadership, a crucial turning point in the quest for a glorious new dawn in modern day development of the Igbo nation.

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FOREWARD

To begin, I want to thank my good friend and colleague George C.E. Enyoazu for introducing me to the cause of the Igbo people with all the associated politics and history. I have participated in discussions on the Igbo plight and experienced the overwhelming desire of Igbo people living here in Ireland for a secure and sustainable future for their nation. The on-going effort to develop Igboland is testimony to that deep belief in every Igbo man or woman that the Igbo have the capability to contribute positively in no little measure to global peace and harmony.

The commitment of those Igbo I have come to know, to advancement, despite the terrible sufferings endured during the Biafran-Nigerian War, has been so impressive and inspiring. I experienced that commitment to peaceful transformation in many ways through my interaction with some of the Igbo Diaspora in Ireland, wishing to bear witness to their vision for a progressive homeland grounded on an industrial-economy as a hallmark for foreign direct investment.

This booklet explores and explains the roots of Igbo identity and in daring brushstrokes outlines how the future might be when vision is translated into reality.

It is my honour, as an Irish public representative from a party with its roots in the peace movement, to have contributed with these few words to what is a seminal statement of hope and intent by Igbo men and women abroad.

Cllr. Mark Dearey Green Party Louth County Council Dundalk Town Council Ireland.

September 2009.

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CONTENTS PAGE

7 8 10

SECTION 1 NDI IGBO, Who we are Map of Igboland Igbo in Nigeria’s first republic

17 20 22 25 27 32 35

SECTION 2 Introduction to the African Tiger Strategic Development Agenda Broad outlines of strategies for industrial development Urbanising mini cities and satellite towns Build, sell and recycle Strategies for employment generation Roads and infrastructure in the South East Security Conclusion to the strategic agenda

36 40

SECTION 3 Igbo language and culture Resources

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All rights are reserved by the Igbo Council of Europe. Copyright Š 2009 5

THE EXECUTIVE MEMBERS OF IGBO COUNCIL OF EUROPE - ICE George Chigbonkpa Ezekwesiri Enyoazu, President-General Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu, Secretary-General Echezona Ifeanyichukwu Chidume, Director of Legal Affairs Arinze Chris Onuorah, Director of Media & Public Relations Frank Uche Attoh, Director of Financial Affairs Innocent Chuks Madu, Director of Protocols Valentine Amanchukwu Obidegwu, Director of Cultural Affairs Peter N. Ezenwaka, Special Adviser

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NDI IGBO - WHO WE ARE The Igbo people of West Africa have their ancestral home in present day Southern Nigeria. Igboland is divided into two unequal halves by the River Niger. The larger half falls within Eastern Nigeria, while the smaller part is in Western Nigeria. Presently the Igbo States in the Nigerian polity are comprised of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, parts of Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River and Kogi States[1]. The Igbo people however sojourn in almost all the countries of the world, in search of greener pastures. Thus, they have become rovers whose footprints are solidly entrenched in all enviable professions and endeavours such as business, education, politics and administration, science and technology, religion, arts and entertainment, sports, and other sectors.

Nri Igboland is awash with myths of creation. But the Nri myth has gained greater pro m i n e n c e , a c c o rding to Chigere (2001), precipitating vast scholarly interests.

He records that Nri has come to represent, not only a sacred place among the Igbo people. It plays the role of the Kingmaker, with “the general privilege of conferring royal and priestly titles and giving requisite ornaments to chiefs throughout” a large part of Igboland.

Also Chigere notes that Nri has come to imply culture in Igboland: a lot of towns claim ancestry to Nri, and it’s prestigious to do so (Chigere 2001 p. 23). It’s a remarkable truth that Nri wields both spiritual and 7

political influence in Igboland today.

However, Nri gives a very clear indication of what an ideal Igbo society is (and should be) – sacred, industrious, organized, choosing its own leaders with a mandate to do things for their community. Just as Nri signifies Igbo culture, every community in Igboland is an embodiment of that culture of the people. Every community is interconnected with other communities. And there’s a sense of pride associated with excellence. In fact, progress wins a lot of friends.

When it happens, people from far and near shall show interest in studying the entity and its achievement.

MAP OF IGBO LAND

For a detailed map of Igboland please go to : Ihttp://igbology.igbonet.net/docs/igboworld/detailedmap.html

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alcoholic drinks, soaps and other consumables which cushioned the effects of the blockade. Above all, he emphasizes the superb organising structure of the Biafran R e s e a rch and Production Board, and the teamwork, efficiency and commitment of all its personnel (Ukaegbu 2005).

Igbo Ukwu The bronze and other associated archaeological finds in Igbo Ukwu town prove that Igbo civilization was one of the earliest in the West African rainforest area. Dated over 1000 years ago, Connah (2004) acclaims the high level of skill, brilliance, uniqueness and technological sophistication of the finds, and wonders how the Igbo got involved with such a complex v e n t u re at such an early date (Connah 2004 p. 116). But latter day ingenuity of the Igbo people in science and technology would only confound those who marvel at Igbo Ukwu discoveries carbon-dated to be over 1000 years.

In fact, the Igbo Ukwu finds could be described as a foretaste of the Igbo and Biafran feats in indigenous technology. It’s a fact that most of the Biafran scientists are of Igbo origin. At the height of the war, Biafran scientists single-handedly put their brains to work, which e n g e n d e red enviable inventions, such as the dreaded Ogbunigwe (mass killer or destroyer) and oil refineries. Ukaegbu (2005) lists other exploits of the Biafran scientists, including: production of grenade and rocket casings, mortar shells, bullets, armoured cars, building of airports, refining and massproduction of salt, production of

It’s noteworthy that the war-era feats were achieved due to the assemblage of qualified people who rose up to the challenge of the time.

They had the vision, they loved their land, and they worked patiently as a team and made a visible difference.

Today, their work is remembered and written about.

While commenting on the war-time achievements, Madiebo (1980) states that the Biafran Research and Production Board considered no problem impossible to solve (Madiebo 1980 p.114). That is the indomitable spirit of the Igbo!

Nevertheless, since after the war, some Igbo scientists and professionals have proven that the Igbo can contribute to the technological advancement of the world, amongst other things.

Examples of such are: Ezekiel Izuogu (scientist and inventor of the first indigenous African automobile technology, the Z-600), Augustine 9

Njoku-Obi (developer of Cholera Vaccine), Damian Anyanwu (Inventor), Philip Emeagwali (American computer scientist and mathematician), Augustine Esogbue (NASA scientist), Peter Nwangwu (Famous pharmacology re s e a rc h scientist), Bartholomew Nnaji (Robotics scientist), Cyprian Emeka Uzoh (Father of Modern Chip Interconnection Technologies, Worldclass scientist and prolific inventor holding over 100 US patents), etc. etc (Source: Nation Master).

One noticeable dilemma is that Igbo scientists and inventors in Nigeria have never been encouraged to thrive.

Rather, countless impediments are placed on their wheel of progress in order to scuttle their efforts and ruin their chances of emerging as contributors to societal development.

For instance, the moulds for the engine blocks, the engine blocks, mud guards, crankshafts of Dr Izuogu’s proto-type, a hard work of many years were removed in a suspicious scenario on March 11th 2006 (Daily Sun, 10 Apr 2006). This incident had the semblance of a motive that was more sinister than robbery.

Conversely, the Igbo scientists overseas have operated on fertile, friendly and enabling environment; hence they have lived up to their calling. What an irony!

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Igbo in Nigeria’s First Republic During the First Republic, the Igbo nation made an enviable progress in qualitative and coherent leadership, organisational cohesion, fiscal and industrial development, planning, superb educational system, good governance, integrity in political office, and so forth. In fact, this solid foundation was laid before the inception of the First Republic, courtesy of the Ibo State Union and leaders of thought.

Notably, government initiatives adequately encouraged farming and other allied produce for food and export. Thus, items such as rice, yam, cassava, cocoyam, vegetables, palm produce and cashew nuts were readily and ordinarily the mainstay of the economy. It was essentially on these that Eastern Nigerian economy thrived and expanded to become the largest growing economy. The E a s t e rn Nigerian government had a clear vision which was progressive, and complementary to the notion of the Ibo State Union. As a result, the Eastern Nigerian Development Corporation (ENDC) was established, which became a tool through which series of development projects emerged, including: University of Nigeria Nsukka, Aba Textile Mills, Shoe Industry Owerri,

Nigercem Nkalagu, Enamel Plate I n d u s t ry Umuahia, Golden Guinea Brewery Umuahia, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Glass Company Port Harcourt, Ulonna Farm Settlement, Niger Steel Company Emene, African Continental Bank (ACB), Hotel Presidential Enugu and Port Harcourt, Co-operative Bank of Eastern Nigeria Ltd (Co-operative and Commerce Bank). The following lines from Nkemjika (2008) explain the motivation behind the industrialization of Alaigbo and Eastern Nigeria: “ These were the enterprises that engaged secondary school leavers, graduates of technical colleges, polytechnics and universities in productive activities. As a result of that developmental effort, Eastern Nigerians had no need to migrate in their numbers to Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, etc, for employment opportunities (Nkemjika 2008). ” Nkemjika also emphasizes that these and many other developmental strides were achieved within a ten year period 1957-1967 (Nkemjika 2008). Another time an Igbo-led g o v ernment set out to accomplish for the Igbo was under the Sam Mbakwe administration when rapid effort was geared towards the industrialization of Igboland amongst others.

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It beats one’s imagination how in Igbo States in recent memory, some individuals had had the privilege of occupying the government houses for eight years stretch as governors without any substantive legacy – infrastructurally, industrially or transparency-wise. In many cases, they left the Igbo States in worse situations compared to when they took over the reins of power. As it stands, Igboland degenerates into a steady decline with our youths ever exiting the land in search of better prospects in other parts of Nigeria and the outside world. This mass exodus denies Igboland aspects of the necessary manpower. Where are the jobs that will entice our youths to stay and build Igboland? How can we build the Igbo nation if a section of the youths in Igboland is restive, indulge in vices, such as robbery and kidnapping?

Unless the trend is checked, Igboland will continue to suff e r marginalization. When Igbo people in exalted positions fail to put Igboland on the road map to pro g ress, the wishes of our detractors would be served. Then it becomes obvious that our own people are the instruments of marginalization policy against us.

Ironically, while Igboland is deprived, Igbo businessmen and women have their businesses concentrated in other parts of Nigeria, thereby causing rapid development of those non-Igbo areas. Still, the success of the Igbo business people in other parts of Nigeria, especially in Northern Nigeria has caused a backlash against them – hatred, constant killing and looting (destruction) of their businesses. This has become an unending cycle that denies the Igbo people in those hostile areas

security of lives and properties, the ability to consolidate and enjoy their prosperity. Above all, the homeland is underdeveloped: beaconing on all sons and daughters to return home.

The task that must be done is to build Igboland into an economy that will meet the demands of today.

Compared to the consolidated progress made by the Igbo between 1957 and 1967, the question on everyone’s lips: are the Igbo of today in decline?

The Igbo as the Phoenix The time has come for us to ponder, come to self-appraisal and rediscover where we missed it. The Igbo must rise to take their collective place in the world. The Igbo have come a long way, ours is an ancient civilization which must not be eclipsed for eternity. We have what it takes to create one of the world’s economic miracles – The African Tiger! Although we have known trouble, trials and persecution, but we can only be stronger. Nations that defy their odds are the ones that eventually celebrate real greatness. Just like the mythical Phoenix, we must rise from the ashes!! The time is now; if we must have a place those future generations would be proud to call home. As one of Africa’s single largest ethnic groups, projected at 40 million people, we shall prevail. Let’s rise above all barriers, eschew all bitterness, divisions and individualism. Ngwa nu industrious and innovative people, we have a date with destiny!!! And the God of Heaven will prosper us in our quest to build Igboland.

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African Tiger: Strategic Development Agenda for the Igbo Nation French philosopher Frantz Fanon (1925-1961) once said that “each generation must out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it.� Like Fanon said, the greatest mission that beckons the Igbo of the present generation remains the rapid development of their native lands by any means necessary. It is a divine mission that stands in great need of fulfilment. Therefore in furtherance of those objectives, the Igbo Council of Europe on the 30th of November 2007 constituted a work-group to understudy the present-day social, political, and economic malaise bedevilling the Igbo nation with a view to proffering practical, common sense solutions. It is thus, with great faith in God that we present these observations and recommendations in what we hope would incite the needed paradigm shift that would engender the exploitation and maximisation of the abundant human and material resources in aggressive industrialisation and modernisation of Igboland.

Since the cessation of hostilities and particularly in the last decade, many have become incre a s i n g l y alarmed at the incre a s i n g l y dwindling fortunes of the Igbo in all facets of national life. The Nigerian state has remained unrelenting in the deprivation and marginalization of the Igbo, and many amongst the Igbo have themselves become willing tools in helping to advance and actualise the agenda of subjugation by the Nigerian state.

The consequence is that a new cult of disunited, and mendicant Igbo political class who have no sense of history has been foisted on the Igbo public by outside forces, 14

desirous of perpetually arresting the development of the Igbo nation. As a direct consequence, no unified strategic plan for the development and advancement of the Igbo nation exists and schemes to creatively exploit the abundant human resources within the Igbo nation that has served to develop places far away from Igbo land is yet to be initiated.

The federal government has locked the East out of every critical infrastru c t u re that could have helped in maximising the abundant potentials that exist in the area, create millions of jobs and stem

migration. It has therefore become increasingly urgent that the Igbo undertake certain extraordinary self help measures to create an industrial capacity in the East that can aid her self sufficiency.

The Nigerian state has, owing to the excesses of successive leaders continued to fail, but the Igbo need not fail along with Nigeria. It is possible with a little bit of vision and leadership to create an oasis of prosperity in a desert of despair.

Progress has many friends, while failure is an orphan. Once we begin to take the giant strides of development, we will compel the respect of both our friends and enemies. Ours has been a tragic history, which makes it all the more urgent to create a capacity for self sufficiency in the East. As a distinct people who constitute one of the three single largest black African cultures and ethnic groups we stand challenged to succeed. Our destiny and future is in our own hands.

It is thus as a response to the plight of the Igbo nation that the Igbo Council of Europe has decided to intervene at this great historical juncture to seek to provide ideas and solutions for the construction of a cohesive and mega-prosperous Igbo nation. We also stand ready to partner in the mobilisation of the millions of Igbo in the Diaspora who 15

constitute a core and strategic arm of the Igbo nation that can play a critical role in fund raising, provision of expertise and skilled manpower in the economic development plan.

Singapore,Taiwan as Models of Development Philosophers have long proclaimed that “once there is the will, there is a way.� Mankind has come a long way in developing the wonders that surround us today through sheer willpower.

From electricity, automobiles, jet aircraft, ships, submarines, even footprints on the moon. Through willpower, sweat and toil man has truly taken great strides and accomplished gre a t things.

Nations such as Singapore and Taiwan provide a great inspiration for the Igbo nation. Singapore gained independence in 1965, a nation of just 693 sq km, less than one fifth of Anambra State, with a population just under 5 million people.

Lacking any natural resources, and in spite of a severely limited landmass, she has demonstrated the possibilities embedded in the human spirit and the positive virtues of discipline, willpower and leadership to overcome overwhelming odds and create an economy that has become one of the richest in the world.

Singapore presently hosts some of the best universities, re s e a rc h institutes, and has one of the best infrastructure and national airlines in the world.

Taiwan presents a model of development that should likewise inspire the Igbo development project. Incidentally about the same size as the present day Southeast zone, with a population just short of 30 million, she has risen through indigenous technology that initially produced substandard products to become one of the fore m o s t producers of goods, thereby creating one of the richest economies in the world.

Singapore and Taiwan are nations whose successful development models re p resent a nexus that showcases the possibilities that can be unleashed when human re s o u rces and other extant potentials are well harnessed. As we highlight the practical benchmarks and other projects necessary to begin this development initiative, it is important that the Igbo strive to gravitate their dreams and aspirations towards the loftier magnetic pull of peoples and nations like Singapore, Taiwan etc which has proven that progressive

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societies can be built through simple o rganisation, planning and execution.

Finally, in contemplating the way forward for the Igbo nation, we have chosen to be more of realists in providing a vision for the economic, political and cultural development of Igbo land. The Bible rightly acknowledges in Proverbs 29: verse 18 that “a people without a vision perish.� It is our fervent hope that this vision that we put forw a rd , though not perfect, will provide the fulcrum and synergy that will unleash the abundant yet untapped human and material resources in our native land to herald a megaprosperous Igbo region.

We believe that Igbo land should be for the Igbo what Israel is for the Jews, we also believe that a synergic accumulation and concentration of Igbo enterprise, industry and creativity in Igbo land can help us achieve this strategic development agenda for the Igbo nation that can help us build a society comparable or even surpassing Singapore or Taiwan.

The Igbo Council of Europe work group hereby present these p roposals that will hopefully unshackle the Igbo nation into fulfilling her destiny.

B road Outlines of Strategies for Industrial Development Dedicated Cluster Industrial Parks:

Artist impression of a Cluster Industrial Park

The concept of dedicated cluster Industrial parks is a cost effective way of attracting businesses to take advantage of the various incentives usually inherent in such arrangements. It is widely used around the world, and has the advantage of concentrating industries and small scale enterprises in a single area, thereby making it easier to benefit from packaged incentives and other multiplier advantages. Setting up industrial parks is usually quite practical and cheap; all that needs to be done is highlighted as follows: The provision of land, construction of feeder roads, construction of industrial units and warehouses, provision of incentives like i.e. tax waivers, free land, and construction of a dedicated power plant to uniquely service the industrial area or areas at subsidised rates amongst other possible incentives. Power generation remains a major challenge facing the development of an industrial base,

however, the construction of a cluster industrial park gives an opportunity to overcome the power challenge by building and integrating a power plant solely for the industrial park that might utilise solar energy, wind energy, coal or other sources of energy to provide regular uninterrupted power supply to the industrial parks at cost effective rates.

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Massive dedicated cluster Industrial parks should be set up in the 3 senatorial zones of every state in the South East and in major urban centres. Types of industries should take into consideration the areas where the various towns, cities or states have comparative advantages.

Whereas Orlu axis for example has long been known for Pharmaceutical products, industries related to pharmaceuticals can naturally be set up in Orlu. Ebonyi State being naturally endowed in agricultural production will likewise attract a concentration of agro-allied industries.

The strategy of locating industries in areas of comparative advantage will help in maximising productivity.

The mass establishment and support of small scale enterprises remains the greatest area of potential growth and job creation in the immediate short term. Many of such small scale industries already exist in unplanned and sometimes squalid environments in major urban centres such as Aba, Onitsha, and Nnewi amongst others. Soft goods such as shoes, handbags, clothings, sunglasses etc are already produced in these areas. Because of lack of g o v e rnment aid and support, lack of enabling environment, lack of infrastructure and difficulties in acquiring equipment such as 18

industrial sewing machines, productivity and quality of goods are low and lack standardization.

Therefore, new small scale enterprises should be established in the designated industrial parks and already existing small scale enterprises operating in squalid environments should be relocated to the newly created well planned industrial parks to enable them benefit from advantages and incentives that will aid p roductivity, r a p i d industrialisation and generation of employment. It is possible to achieve a target of upwards of two million small scale enterprises in the short and long term engaged in the production of all kinds of soft and hard goods for export and local markets potentially generating up to ten million jobs.

Provision of aid through the creation of a targeted “enterprise loans scheme,” that will provide funding for small scale enterprises, and the establishment of an “equipment procurement and leasing agency,” by the region or various states. This agency will purchase equipment such as industrial sewing machines and other critical equipment for leasing to some of the operators of small scale enterprises who cannot afford such equipment.

Establishment of a “quality control agency� with the specific agenda to aid the standardization and enhancement of the production of soft and hard goods i.e. soft goods: shoes, toys, textiles, bags etc, hard goods: mechanical parts, computer chips etc. Standardization and quality control will make the goods more acceptable for the export market.

The Nigerian film industry was recently classified the 2nd largest in the world. It is an industry that has a lot of potential for the creation of employment and generation of re s o u rces. A film village with modern studios should be created in Enugu that will maximise the potentials of the film industry in the area.

A major plank of the industrialisation agenda must concentrate on making the already existing entre p reneurial base a national asset by helping the individual producers in Aba and Nnewi particularly who had hitherto operated in very crude challenging environments to increase productivity and standardize their goods towards internationally acceptable qualities in preparation for a potentially massive export industry that can put the Southeast in the same league as Taiwan, and Singapore.

Establishment of free trade zones, export processing zones and a South East chamber of commerce.

The chamber of commerce should have a website which would scout for foreign investors, by highlighting and promoting potentials in solid minerals, agriculture and manufacturing amongst others in the south East re g i o n .

Expansion and modernisationregeneration of the Onitsha and Aba International Markets and the Establishment of more international markets in other suitable locations.

Construction of an ambitious industrial and tourist resort in Oguta Lake which will be a haven for investors and tourists.

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Urbanisation, Mini cities and Skyscraper satellite towns: Planning and Regeneration of Southeast Cities

Artist impression of a satellite town with rail-way link

The concept of skyscraper or condominium satellite towns was mooted as a strategy of land management that can suck in a huge population in a relatively small area. Through this mechanism, the suburbs of the cities will be highly beneficial, as people who live in those areas would not have any need to move to the cities. This strategy is already well employed in Asia, North America and other parts of the world where high-rise buildings are common. To a large extent, the Southeast has traditionally been familiar with high-rise buildings that are usually limited to five or six storeys. Thus, the concept would only go further by introducing high-rise buildings upwards of ten storeys and beyond. Under this concept, the Eastern states should zone at least 50% of property development to Skyscrapers in well planned self sufficient complexes. Such settlements will be self sufficient, as the provision of security, pipe borne water, electricity and other facilities will be guaranteed by the service charges to be contributed by all the residents of the complex.

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Building a new city is a win-win cost effective and profitable venture. The property or housing sector is one of the core areas of job creation and growth in most economies. There are several options which can be exploited in constructing such new cities.

Regeneration of unplanned cities in general is also critical in order to begin the journey to join the advanced and civilised world.

Efforts should henceforth be made to have at least the minimum planning or master plan for every large town and city in the East that will provide a blueprint for organised development. Already existing large cities like Onitsha, Aba etc should have a master plan for their regeneration and modernisation rapidly implemented. Unavoidably, many existing structures in already built up cities like Onitsha and Aba will have to be destroyed in order to create befitting cities that host large and expanding international markets. Regeneration will include expansion and dualisation of roads and construction of new roads and bridges, development of ultra modern central business districts (CDB), that will host banks and other business services, planting of roadside trees, development of modern high-rise (condominium) housing estates, creation of green parks. Better standards of waste disposal, which includes recycling, incineration, and general waste disposal in dedicated land fill sites, should also be enhanced to ensure clean and healthy environments.

A state governor can create the initiative with some incentives and invite private investors to invest in the development of the complex. By building and selling, the investors will make a profit and recycle their initial capital into constructing a new complex, this recycling process will in no time result in the development of a whole new sizable modern city with much profit to the investors.

Alternatively, the state can earmark funds and invest directly in constructing the settlements by also applying the same principle of build, sell and recycle, which will in no time see to the development of a modern city. This has the added advantage of generating revenue for the state through profits from the sale of the pro p e rties in the short term and through property taxes in the long term.

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Build, Sell, and Recycle: Constructing a Regional Capital

Artist impression of a Regional Capital

From the beginning of time, every distinct people or nation have had a capital where their culture, economy, politics and social networks are anchored.

It is therefore urgent and necessary that the Igbo create a functional city capable of sucking in a huge population, and creating jobs and opportunities. A research of other major cities revealed intere s t i n g possibilities. Mumbai in India with a landmass of just 468 sq km has a population in excess of 12 million, while Delhi with a landmass of 1,484 sq km has a population in excess of 15.9 million people. The research findings demonstrate that the Southeast can create a re g i o n a l capital with a population in excess of 15-20 million in a landmass of just 22

1000 sq km. Interestingly, the Igbo are the only major ethnic group that lacks a major and befitting capital city, while they have iro n i c a l l y contributed in building other Nigerian cities.

A regional mega-city and capital has the advantage of concentrating substantial economic resources in the East, creating more security for the Igbo by reducing migration to other areas where they could become victims of ethno-religious conflicts, and a substantial improvement in population demographics as many who had

migrated and helped to augment the population of areas outside the southeast, will now be primarily domiciled in the East with all the political advantages which had hitherto accrued to other are a s where they had domiciled.

is to source the initial capital, build the modern housing complexes, sell them with a modest profit, recycle the initial capital and build another set of housing complexes. Using this simple method, a whole new well planned city can be built in a short time at a profit to all the stakeholders. It is a win-win situation which will enrich the state in the short and long-term.

The existing six regions present an opportunity for the people of the Southeast to construct a regional capital that will be the seat of policy and decision making for the region and where they can, to a large extent, concentrate development initiatives to nurture and create a proud and befitting mega-city capital. The following highlights will indicate practical steps that are required to rapidly create a befitting capital city for the South East:

In 1939 Enugu was named the first ever capital of the Eastern provinces which endured until 1951.

It became the capital of the Eastern region between 1951 and 1967 when it became the capital of the then Biafra. At the end of the war, Enugu became the capital of the East Central State. Following further state creation, it became the capital of the old Anambra State and subsequently Enugu state. Enugu has thus been historically bestowed with the destiny as a capital of the East which is yet to be fulfilled. The regional capital project is therefore a plan to create a mega-city and regional capital for the Southeast in Enugu. The project will involve an ambitious regeneration of significant parts of the city and the construction of new planned complexes.

A master plan of a scenic city lined with trees should be drawn up by qualified architects with major roads, flyovers, city ring ro a d , central business district (CBD); well developed housing complexes, industrial parks, green parks etc. At least 50% of land planned for residential pro p e rties should be zoned for “high-rise complexes in structured estates�.

Build, sell and recycle, is a concept that simplifies the relative ease, and cost effectiveness with which a whole new modern city can be built.

As the name indicates, all it involves 23

Creation of a South East Capital Development Board in partnership with private investors, with each state of the 5 states and the Igbo Diaspora under a Diaspora solidarity development fund contributing to its annual development budget.

Major roads in the regional mega-city and encircling ring road can be constructed in a cost effective way under the public private partnership scheme. The ring road will link all the major axis going into and coming out of the city centre in a circle with one half in the North side and the other half in the Southside. An interconnecting tollgate between the north side and Southside should be installed by the public private partnership scheme to recoup their investments.

Rail link or tram way should be constructed in the long term within the regional capital city under a well planned urban transport scheme in partnership with the private sector.

Regional mega-city should have an imposing gate on approaching the outskirts which should comprise of large edifices with arc h e s , statues, a fountain and an electronic signpost which would read a designated welcome message.

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Well developed housing estates by both public and private investors should be conceptualised and created. Such luxury homes and apartments in well planned estates should be sold at a profit, and the capital recycled to begin another housing development. This recycling chain of property development will create a construction boom, which will in turn create thousands of jobs.

Some of the profits from the sale of luxury homes by public developers should also be recycled to build low-cost housing or town council houses for the poor, lowincome earners, and displaced persons, while still retaining and investing the initial capital in the construction of luxury homes and apartments for the affluent. Private developers given land at subsidised rates should dedicate at least 5% of houses or apartments in any given estate to town council houses for low-income earners. In this way, profits or gains from the rich will be continuously recycled to build houses for the poor.

Creation and development of a luxury Diaspora Village and a complex in the mould of ‘Beverly Hills’ targeted at film stars, football stars and other celebrities.

Tree Planting Environment:

and

the depression, could be used in the South East to mobilize and intermittently employ jobless youths at a much cheaper rate to dig drainages, pave streets, plant trees, flowers, general construction, etc.

Tree planting is a very cheap and practicable way of creating and preserving a beautiful and healthy e n v i ronment. Trees should be planted in all the major towns and cities in the South East. It has overwhelming benefits which include beautification of the given areas and erosion control amongst others.

There is currently a severe shortage of artisans. Vocational training centres or workshops which could fill the void should be set-up in the three senatorial zones of every State in the South East re g i o n .

These skills acquisition initiative will enable jobless youths train in areas such as tiling, tailoring, hairdressing, welding and mechanical works, plumbing, carpentry and wood works, bricklaying, bus-truck driving, etc. On completion of their training, successful trainees should receive sizable grants to help them set-up their businesses. This scheme is a well acknowledged model for creating employment around the world.

Strategies for employment generation: Various practical strategies for creation of employment can be employed as listed below.

Small scale enterprises remain the core area of employment generation. The creation therefore of dedicated industrial parks within which small scale enterprises will be clustered and its attendant multiplier effects will potentially create millions of jobs.

Many job seekers are not aware of the availability of jobs because of an absence of any central point to communicate such vacancies. Job centres should therefore be set up in the immediate short term in the state capital of every state in the South East on a pilot basis, eventually spreading to other major designated towns in each state.

The construction industry is a major area of growth and generation of employment. Any major drive in construction of housing, roads and other general infrastru c t u re will generate jobs.

The concept of direct labour employed during America’s great 25

Employers in every state should be mandated to notify the job centres of any vacancies. This contact point by potential employers and employees will facilitate access to jobs by jobseekers. The job centres will also provide some technical aid to jobseekers such as preparation of curriculum vitae’s, assessment and placement of potential candidates for vocational training programs.

Night Economy Tourism:

and

Night economies and tourism generate a substantial amount of employment and income. It is estimated that night economies generate upwards of half of the total number of employees who function during the day, while tourism also generates a significant amount of employment. The need to create employment and divest from a dependence on earnings fro m

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mineral resources towards a more sustainable tax economy has made it increasingly necessary for the South East to create an enabling environment for night economies and tourism to thrive.

Wealth Creation: South East Lottery: The greater the wealth amongst the citizenry the more there is social peace. The lottery is a viable means of creating wealth amongst the populace, and can also serve as an added means of generating resources for the government. A South East lottery could be created which would run fortnightly or as designated. Participants would buy tickets and would be eligible to win cash prizes including a bonus prize.

Winnings from the lottery have the potential of creating new millionaires every fortnight or as designated.

Roads and Infrastructure in the South East:

Artist impression of an International Airport and a five star hotel

Due to almost four decades of post-war infrastructural and political marginalisation, critical infrastructure hardly exists in the South East. It has therefore become urgent for the region to develop alternative means of fundraising for constructing and upgrading infrastructure. High profile infrastructures to be constructed and or upgraded are listed below.

A South East road link or superhighway of at least 6 lanes linking all major towns and cities in the South East through a circular ring could be constructed through direct funding or constructed under the public private partnership project with tollgates as part of the modernisation of south East roads and infrastructure.

Two ultra-modern international airports, comprising of substantial cargo terminals in Owerri and

Artist impression of a regional highway network

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Artist impression of the twin cities of Onitsha-Asaba with an inland port.

Passenger terminals in Enugu with adjoining five star airport hotels.

Construction of a 2nd and 3rd bridge across the Niger with tollgates Obuaku City Project - opposite page.

A city conceptualized to harness the potential of a seaport at Azumini and encourage international trading between the Igbo and the outside world. The seaport could be

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constructed cost-effectively through “Public Private Partnership”(PPP) projects, while the city could be built under the “build, sell and recycle” scheme.

All city and allied projects, such as the designated “Obuaku City project”, regional capital, and satellite towns could come under the “build, sell and recycle” scheme.

Artist impression of Obuaku City and seaport

actualise such projects. One of the potential methods of fundraising identified has the added advantage of serving as an important tool of wealth creation and redistribution amongst the southeast population.

The methods and options of fundraising are listed below.

The Igbo projects should embrace the construction of commercial ports, such as Onitsha Inland Port, Oguta Inland Port and Resort Centre, Azumini Seaport (Obuaku City).

Regional Rail links in the short and long-term linking other regions to be constructed in partnership with the private sector.

South East Investment Corporation: As the name suggests, this scheme involves the creation of an investment corporation where funds will be raised by asking interested parties to buy shares or bonds. The funds raised will then be used to construct highways with toll gates, build housing complexes in the mini city (satellite town) projects under the build, sell and recycle

Fundraising: Diaspora Solidarity Fund, Igbo Tithe and Investment Capital Construction and upgrade of infrastru c t u re will re q u i re the sourcing of substantial amount of funds which can be utilised to 29

scheme to be sold at a profit, build international airports and hotels with the accruing taxes and resources, build commercial ports with the accruing taxes. All the projects listed are profit making, and share holders or bond holders in the investment corporations are assessed and paid their annual dividends from profits made from highway toll gates, mini city build and sell schemes, airport and hotel re s o u rces, port taxes, etc.

Shareholders can also sell their shares whenever they so choose.

This scheme has the added advantage of wealth creation and redistribution amongst the South East populace.

in nations around the world where the Igbo could make periodic donations to aid the funding of specific projects under a transparent management. The Merchant accounts would aid donations by credit or laser cards online, while those who are not disposed to the online service could make their donations in designated bank accounts. Bank drafts and other monetary instruments could also be sent to designated addresses. Given the large numbers of Igbo in the Diaspora, this scheme has the potential of generating upwards of $2billion on an annual basis and could be organised along State lines or on a regional basis.

Igbo Tithe Diaspora Solidarity Fund The large numbers of Igbo in the Diaspora could be well harnessed to play a significant role in the development agenda by setting up a Diaspora solidarity or development fund. However this scheme can only succeed where the leaders have been identified as being genuinely committed to the Igbo project and where a transparent management is set-up to manage the funds. Under this scheme, specific projects to be funded should be well conceptualised and advertised. Merchant accounts and bank accounts should be opened

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A Tithe is a concept from the Bible which mandates all to donate a percentage of their earnings to the advancement of the doctrine. In the same vein, the Igbo tithe is a new concept which mandates all Igbo within and outside Nigeria to pay a voluntary periodic tithe to designated development funds for the rapid development of the South East. Under this scheme, designated addresses for receipt of bank drafts and other monetary instruments should be established and designated bank accounts opened within Nigeria. In the Diaspora, merchant online accounts,

designated bank accounts and designated addresses for receipt of bank drafts and other monetary instruments should be established where such donations could be made for specific projects under a reputable and transparent management to be created.

For purposes of transparency, all those who make donations should receive receipts, and the balances as recorded in the accounts should be published every quarter with a precise detail of any ongoing project being funded from the scheme.

Adaptation of Science and Technology: There is the need to create a “South East Central Research and Development Centre� which will adapt existing technologies and create new ones for the servicing of industries, construction of machineries and production of goods. The research centre which can be set up initially on a pilot basis should include all practicable areas of research.

Strategies for Power Generation: Power generation continues to present a major challenge and remains an impediment to industrialisation. However, the South East can adopt a regional initiative which can substantially reduce the spectre of power shortages by setting up independent power plants in each of the South East States. The power projects should be developed in accordance with existing local resources for power generation. Enugu State for example, has an abundance of coal and could develop power plants based on coal.

In Abia, Anambra and Imo States where there are crude oil resources, gas powered plants could be built. Ebonyi State will likewise construct power plants with available local resources. Hydro-power and Solar energy amongst others could also be harnessed. These initiatives would bring the South East close to self sufficiency in power generation.

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Security: Security remains an incentive and a crucial element in attracting local and foreign investors. Unfortunately, owing to the recent phenomenon of kidnapping which began in the Niger-Delta and subsequently spread to other parts of the country, the South East is presently enmeshed in the worst security crisis in her entire history. It is a crisis whose destructive effects rival the civil-war. The long and short term implications of terrorist activities such as kidnapping and other vices which have led to substantial capital flight from an already marginalized region cannot be quantified. It is therefore a predicament that requires an absolute draconian response, with utmost determination in order to put an end to it. The South East must declare total war on kidnapping and other vices, which can be won by a combination of strategies as listed below.

Intelligence Gathering and Creation of Vigilante groups: In the absence of a state police, a robust and highly effective vigilante force in the mould of the erstwhile “Bakassi group� should be created.

Criminals in every community are known; there f o re a well funded vigilante group drawn from the local communities will aid eff o rts in intelligence gathering, identification and arrest of culprits. Elements from amongst the offenders could also be peeled off and recruited as their first hand knowledge would help in apprehending the culprits.

Creation of special AntiKidnap Squad: The state governments should partner with the police and possibly 32

the armed forces in creating a special joint military-police antikidnap squad. The squad will be a well armed special outfit, dedicated to the eradication of kidnapping and armed robbery.

Mobile Phone Tracking: Kidnappers use mobile phones to contact the families of kidnapped persons for ransom, and have to reach an agreement with the families for the collection of the ransom. The Special anti-kidnap squad and other security forces can work with the telephone companies to identify the location of kidnappers calling to negotiate for ransom by using the global positioning system technology (GPS) to track and identify the location of the kidnappers. Such tracking methods would make it

possible for the security forces to surround the location and apprehend the kidnappers.

Creation of Special Courts and Application of Capital Punishment:

Kidnappers in reality are very vulnerable, as they must physically collect the ransom, or have it paid into an account. Sting operations by the security forces should routinely target and arrest kidnappers at the point of collection of ransom. An effective exploitation of this important link that targets kidnappers at the point of collection of ransom will remove a very important incentive and make kidnapping impossible.

To give teeth to the war on kidnapping, special courts should be created to try such cases. The special courts should speedily adjudicate on kidnap cases. Kidnap cases for those directly involved should necessarily attract a death sentence and there should be no possibility of appeal in kidnap cases. Convicted persons should have their sentences executed not later than a month after the judgement. This would send a clear message that there is zero tolerance for the crime of kidnapping.

Banning the payment of Ransom:

Seizure of Properties used For Kidnapping:

Kidnapping is an opportunistic crime that feeds and thrives on the ability to collect ransoms, therefore the States should partner with the federal government to place a blanket ban on the payment of ransoms for any kidnapped person.

This ban will remove the most important incentive that has sustained the crime.

Kidnappers need to hold their victims before a ransom is paid; they t h e re f o re need to accommodate their victims while waiting for the ransom. The State governments should pass a law that stipulates the confiscation by the government of any property used to hold kidnap victims. This would have the effect of forcing landlords, hoteliers and other home owners to always verify the occupants and visitors to their respective properties and reducing potential hiding places for kidnappers.

Point of Collection of Ransom:

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Criminalization of Accomplices:

Amnesty and Gun Control:

Anybody who is aware of a kidnapper but fails to report to the authorities even if not personally involved in the Kidnap case would be liable for prosecution and would possibly face the maximum sentence. This same principle is applied for military coups and would force those who have any knowledge of kidnappers to report to the authorities.

Indoctrination and Public enlightenment: Most crimes are committed not only because of poverty and lack of employment but also as a result of a loss of cultural values overtime that in the past would have made it almost impossible to commit such crimes. Therefore, a major strategy for fighting crime would be a massive and consistent indoctrination campaign, using the mass media and traditional institutions to re-establish taboos that would forbid involvement in crime. The indoctrination drive would seek to re-establish a strong value system anchored on humility, chastity, selflessness, hard work and honesty, while strongly forbidding crime.

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A major aspect of the strategy in crime control should be anchored on taking guns out of the public space as a recent proliferation of arms and explosives has made sophisticated weapons re a d i l y available. This increasing gun culture poses a grave risk to the security of lives and pro p e rt y. A strict regime of gun control is therefore necessary to take guns out of the public space. This can be done by making strict new laws that stipulate a mandatory life sentence for possession of explosives and illegal possession of guns. A time limited amnesty can also be initiated to give gun owners the opportunity to surrender their guns possibly with some cash prize by the authorities.

Establishment of a free Police Confidential Phone Line: The absence of a free confidential police line has made it difficult and sometimes impossible to report crime by the public. Yet, crime reporting by the public is a crucial element of policing. As a matter of urgency, the South East should partner with the telephone companies to create a free confidential police number for the region. A free telephone access will greatly aid the busting of criminal gangs.

that can notify all the patrol vehicles in the vicinity and other security agencies in case of an attempted bank raid.

New Methods of Bank Policing: The posting of uniformed police officers in front of banks is outdated and ineffective as the police officers who are immediately identifiable are often taken by surprise in an ambush. Banks can be more effectively policed by plain clothed special anti-robbery squads who will mount surveillance patrols in the vicinity of the banks in unmarked vehicles. This method will ensure that the element of surprise is on the side of the police. The Police can also partner with the banks to install CCTV cameras and panic buttons

Compulsory Biometric Identity Cards: Compulsory biometric identity cards with fingerprints and possibly Iris (eye) scans should be introduced in the longer term for anyone 16 years and above. This would consolidate data on all those resident in the region that can be useful for the purposes of planning and crime control.

Conclusion: The strategic development agenda conceptualised for the South East aims to create a 21st century tax economy anchored on commerce and industry and weaned from a dependence on mineral resources. It is a practical and cost effective win-win plan that could be implemented in designated 5 year or 10 year development plans carefully targeted to meet set objectives.

Therefore, with faith in God, we present these recommendations whose careful and determined implementation would herald the 2nd founding of the Igbo nation.

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Igbo Language and Culture Culture according to Ian Robertson “all the shared products of society: material and non material”. He further views language as the keystone to culture for without it, we cannot pass on the collective experience of society and the lessons it teaches for survival. In other words, language is the primary way that we pass on our culture from one generation to another.

The essence of this write-up is to stimulate discussion on the ways we could revive the Igbo language and culture in the face of it going into extinction. In doing this, we need to look at the past to build the future. We need to articulate those things that led to the abysmal state of the Igbo language and culture. In the words of Professor Chinua Achebe in his lecture “Tomorrow is pregnant today is early enough” on the 4th of September, 1999 at Odenigbo House, Villa Assumpta ,Owerri , he remarked “the future is another way we say that tomorrow is pregnant”. Language being the keystone to culture, what then should be done to promote the Igbo language and culture which is fast going into extinction?. A quick assessment of Igbo language situation in Nigeria is a reflection of shame which is a burden to every Igbo man or woman. Why is it that some children of Igbo parentage only manage to utter few words or

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none at all in Igbo? Our first language obviously should be our native language. We should be proud to speak our language because it is a reflection of our identity. The Igbo man or woman is the least to be proud of his language and often times we feel ashamed to speak or acknowledge our heritage. We speak English to one another even when we come from the same area. Very many of us are guilty of this.

Does speaking English give us status and power within our community? The answer is not farfetched and the present state of things can be placed at our conscious effort of imitating the Western culture. Why can’t we be a master of our language and culture and re-discover our common rich heritage and values? Our enterprise, community spirit, creativity, hard work, good moral values and great sense of social justice are products of our rich cultural heritage.

Today, there is apathy to the study and teaching of Igbo language in schools within the Igbo community.

People are less interested in serious study on Igbo language. You cannot get periodicals or newspapers published in Igbo in contrast to the vast array of books, newspapers and periodicals in other languages. Few of the Igbos can make monolingual presentation through and through in Igbo. In most cases we speak in a mixture of English and Igbo. How has the mighty fallen? The Igbo that used to be emulated by others are falling behind in their fundamental identity language.

relation to Igbo Language and Culture. We seem to always quarrel among ourselves over unimportant things. We need to give credit to some of our Igbo scholars for the selfless job they have done and continue to do without which we would have moved from crisis position today to catastrophe.

One of the deepest truths in Robertson’s definition is that Language as a means of communication holds a key to our Culture and our ability to pass it on.

If we lose our language, we would lose one of the major things that enrich our collective experience, the wealth and survival of societal norms. Language enables us to develop new ideas to apply to the future. The Sapir Whorf hypothesis states that “language not only reproduces our ideas, but it also shapes the way we think. It orders our reality�. We can now understand why we should deepen the use of Igbo Language. Babies are born without language. But by the age of five most of them know several words and would have reasonably mustered some of the rules of grammar. This incredible feat of learning is accomplished with little or no formal schooling but has to do with how you as a parent relate to your child. The family is the basic

The missionaries like T.J. Dennis and J. C. Taylor had a great impact on the development of the Union or Central Igbo. Igbo is spoken in different dialects like many other languages. We did not seize the opportunity we had to have a union Igbo developed by us because of the problem of reaching a compromise on the dialect to be used. Each group posited that their dialect was the best. Despite this u n c o m p romising attitude the missionaries persisted and developed the Union Igbo with the first translation of the Bible in Igbo Language. Our intransigence is the bane of the present state of things in

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platform for easy appreciation and study of language. In almost all Igbo homes, English seems to have displaced the Igbo Language as the first language resulting to the present unacceptable state of the Igbo Language. This clearly shows that we are responsible for the aberration. Apathy on the use of Igbo language as a common means of communication has had great impact on our dwindling cultural values, norms and social control.

We have sufficiently thro w n o v e r b o a rd some of our stro n g cultural norms considered important to our well-being and moral standing. Hence the flagrant display of such vices as cheating of various

kinds, incest, stealing, corru p t i o n and child abuse. In fact, honesty has taken a back seat. We embellish the adoption of Western values to the detriment of our culture. Most of the things we considered as taboo previously are now treasured with pride. Culture does not make us what we are but we also make culture. It guides us through life, but we also change and modify it to our needs. Granted, there are so many of our cultural practices that are repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience. An example of such bad cultural practices is the one that denies a widow the property of her husband.

The way forward We cannot kill the past, but we must build on it to make progress. The family remains the basic platform for the re-invigoration of Igbo language, culture, norms, and values. We must all continue to teach our younger generation Igbo, talk to them in Igbo. Our dialects can always grow side by side with the Union Igbo. A review of the teaching of Igbo language at all levels is very vital t o w a rds making it more proactive. Our cultural festivals and carnivals are essential in projecting our identity. Igbo language should be made compulsory in schools and special prizes slated for outstanding performances. Our meetings should always be recorded and read in Igbo.

A model school where Igbo is used as the language of teaching should be established. Igbo language TVs, radios, websites, resources, publications in form of newspapers and periodicals should be used to encourage readership, learning and re-learning.

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It is disheartening that money seems to erode our cultural values.

We need to ask ourselves the extent it has helped us as a race. The common belief that we have a price is disgusting. It invariably implies that we have let down our values.

People of questionable characters should not be put in positions of authority. We should value people based on the content of their character rather than by their wealth. We must put men of ideas in their rightful place for us to make progress as a race. Good behaviour and integrity should always be reinforced in our communities. This

will restore the dawn of social and political order. A situation where rotten and men of questionable character run our communities weakens the fabrics of our society.

People of impeccable character as role models will bring the change that will transform our society. Any transformation in concrete terms will impact positively on our language and culture. There is urgent need to build on our community networks both at home and in the Diaspora as a veritable platform for social control, language and cultural development.

Finally being Igbo and speaking Igbo are inseparable. Igbo culture and identity can only be properly expressed and understood in the Igbo language. Language therefore is not only a means of communicating thoughts and ideas, but it forges friendships, cultural ties and economic relationships. We need to reconcile the past with the present to be able to shape the future. The way we shape today will reflect on the future. We need to re-discover who we are: NDI IGBO.

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Resources Bibliography Chigere, N. H. M. V. (2001) Foreign missionary background and indigenous evangelization in Igboland, LIT Verlag, pp. 23.

Commission. Daily Sun, [online], Wednesday, June 25, 2008, available from: < http://www.sunnewsonline.com/we bpages/opinion/2008/jun/25/opinio n-25-06-2008-002.htm>

Connah, G. (2004) Forgotten Africa: an introduction to its archaeology, Routledge, p. 116.

Madiebo, A. A. (1980) The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran War, Enugu, Fourth Dimension Publishers, p. 114.

Nation Master, Igbo People, (online), <http://www.nationmaster.com/enc yclopedia/Igbo-people%23Notablepeople>

Okerafoezeke, N. (2002) Law and Justice in Post-British Nigeria, Greenwood Publishing Group, p.1 Ukaegbu, C. C. (2005) Lessons from Biafra: The Structuration of Socially Relevant Science in the Research and Production Directorate. University of Idaho Library [Online] available from: <http://www.class.uidaho.edu/core 127177/Ukaegbu.htm> [1] Okerafoezeke, N. (2002) Law and Justice in Post-British Nigeria, Greenwood Publishing Group, p.1

Nkemjika, (2008) Against SouthEast Nigeria Economic

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AFRICAN TIGER

Published by Igbo Council of Europe (ICE) 2009

Strategic Development Agenda for the Igbo Nation

All Rights Reserved. First Edition.

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