The Igbo people of Nigeria under the aegis of Alaigbo Development Foundation has urged all wealthy and industrious Igbo persons to consolidate the educational, infrastructural and cultural development of the Igbo land and to unite in order to ensure full representation of the Igbo people during President-elect Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
This statement was asserted by a strong and powerfull parade of traditional rulers including; The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), Omu of Anioma Community, HRM Obi Igwe Martha Dunkwu, the Asagba of Asaba, HRH Obi Chike Edozie, Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, MRM Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro, The King of Nri Kingdom(Nri Ezenwalana), HRM Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh and to mention but a few, at the Inaugural Conference and Book Presentation organised by the Alaigbo Development Foundation on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 to Thursday, May 21, 2015 at the Igbozurume Unity Hall, Enugu State.
The Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe made his opening remarks in Igbo language as the Chairman of the event and also broke the kola “Oji” as well.
The kola was passed across to every traditional ruler present except the Omu of Anioma due to the fact that every traditional ruler present noted she is a woman, but however she cleared the air stating that she is a full man/woman as her tradition demands in Anioma.
Before Obi of Onitsha poured libations on the kola he stressed on the need for igbos to unite and make igboland a better place for investment, so that no igbo man would have any reason to invest heavily outside Igbo enclave.
“We need to solidify our investments in Igbolland, in the area of infrastructure and education,” he said
Bar C.N Ede, Archbishop of the Methodist church and a representative of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria lead a 30 minutes opening prayer.
The welcome speech followed suit, rendered by the Board of Trustees Chairman of ADF, Dr, Dozie Ikedife (CON)
Dr Ikedife in Igbo language hailed all traditional rulers in their titles.
Dr Ikedife who was also a former President-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, revealed that the ADF in conjunction with other Igbo groups will ensure a census of the Ndigbo nationwide is conducted.
The Master of Ceremony, Chika Okpala popularly known as “Zebrudaya” took over, then event encroached properly with few laughs here and there as the famous actor teased the crowd with his jokes.
The President of the ADF , Prof, Uzodinma Nwala took the podium to speak on the Two Volume book titled “Igbo Nation: History and Challenges of Rebirth and Development”
Prof. Nwala, who congratulated Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for winning the Presidential poll, reminded him that “Nigeria is not a federation of political parties, but a federation of ethnic nationalities, many of whom are viable nation states in their own rights.”
The book review was rendered by no other person than Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.
Huge Donations including a pieace of land at Anoma Community in Delta State was made by the Omu of Anioma
Other dignitaries present include, Seceratary General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, President Of Njiko Igbo Forum, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha (JP), United Progressives Party, UPP Presidential Candidate, Dr. Chekwas Okorie, Enugu state Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, Prof. Steve Dike, Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, IMSU, Prof. A.G Anwuka among others.
