It is over a year now since Ohaneze Ndi Igbo announced the establishment of a committee and secretariat led by the irrepressible Professor Chukwuma Soludo and Mao Ohuabunwa to help drive the Igbo upnation integrated economic development master plan.
However, since the inauguration of that committee and secretariat, we are yet hear or read much from them about their Igbo nation regional economic integration programs and agenda. We are yet to see any properly articulated concrete, time-lined and measurable projects design, structuring, funding and implementation strategy in the various sectors they listed on the day of their inauguration.
We have not seen or read again any further arrangements, strategy or tactical initiatives to ensure the infrastructure, political and socioeconomic integration plans for the Igbo nation.
WAY FORWARD:
It will be in the best interests of the Igbo nation for Ohaneze Ndi Igbo to maintain a 24/7 functional and fully funded secretariat that is staffed/ manned by top notch / highly knowledgeable development economists and professionals versed in designing, structuring and funding variant models of PPP projects/infrastructure development initiatives for Ala Igbo.
This secretariat working with the Soludo led committee will develop a medium to long term multi-sectorial infrastructure and economic development partnership blue print for the states that have significant Igbo population under robust and properly defined PPP arrangements.
The blueprint shall contain holistically/comprehensively what we plan to do, how to do it, when to do it, what resources required to do it, how to source for those resources, stakeholders to be involved and responsibilities and integrated partnership roles expected from our state governors.
Ohaneze Ndi Igbo must design very transparent and accountable ways of funding this secretariat and her other activities.
For instance, how do link up the whole of the Igbo nation from Asaba to Igwe Ocha via Onitsha-Awka-enugu Abakiliki-okigwe-umuahia-aba and via Onitsha-owerri –mbaise-obowo to Umuahia. Via Owerri to Igwe Ocha by Rail?. How do we ring-fence Ala Igbo via well planned/laid out rail infrastructure development master plan that is PPP driven.
How do we develop new roads or expand the existing road networks across the Igbo nation to become world class?
How do we deepen the exploration and processing of the natural resources that the Igbo nation is blessed with, eg. Coal, Lead, Oil and Gas, Gypsum, barite, clay, limestone etc.?
How do we bring the consular presence of the US, UK, EU, China, etc into Enugu and Owerri? It does not make sense for my aged mum to travel to Lagos or Abuja for her visa and immigration needs, when she can secure such services in Owerri or Enugu.
How do we create truly international sea and air gateways in and out of the Igbo nation? It does not make sense for my aged mum to fly to Lagos before she can get a British airways or Air Peace flight to the UK or US or Dubai. It does not make much sense. When should we have this implemented and how and what resources/partnerships do we need?
How do create industrial hubs and clusters in Ala Igbo to ensure that we become the integrated, commercial, trading, manufacturing and industrial hub for sub-Sahara Africa , following the signing of the Africa Free Trade Agreement, AFTA by Nigeria?
How do we support our entrepreneurial brothers, who practically imports every consumable and hardware items into Nigeria to get their global suppliers and vendors from Europe, America and Asia to set up factories for the manufacturing of those same commodities in Ala Igbo under robust MPPP arrangements?
What enabling business and investor friendly arrangements do we put in place in Ala Igbo?
How do we support the vision of buy and patronize Igbo nation manufactured products first before others, just like the Jews?
How do we make the Igbo nation the Health, Education and Entertainment Tourism Capital of Africa?
How and what do we do to protect Ala Igbo from enemies within and external. Ensure and make Ala Igbo the most secure region in Africa?
How do create and develop a leadership selection/succession culture in Ala Igbo that puts the best, most selfless, most creative , most passionate and honest amongst us into leadership positions to help us drive the Igbo renaissance ?
How do we restore to its full glory the long fading Igbo culture and tradition of industry, hard work, enterprise and loathe for evil and stealing. It used to be the most shameful thing in Ala Igbo to be tagged “Nwanne Onye Oshi” or “Nwanne onye aka na akpa or nnapu”, not to talk of being the thief yourself.
How do we restore our lost glories as the greatest and most progressive/enterprising ethnic nation created by CHUKWU OKIKE ABIAMA.?
Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, led by Dr Nnia Nwodo must never drop the ball. This is the time to rise up and galvanize our people. Sustained enlightenment, consultations, reach out, reconciliations, and practical works are needed now. He must drive the vessel with utmost focus, consistency and uncompromising boldness. This is not the time to park the car to take a nap.
We are facing very tough existential threats today, just akin to what we faced between 1966 to 1970. That Ohaneze Secretariat must work and work for 24/7, churning out ideas and pursuing it to execution working with all stakeholders within and without.
God Bless Ala Igbo
OBIARAERI, Nnaemeka Onyeka
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