Obijackson, my own story undiluted

Dr Sir Ernest Azudialo Obiejesi, President of Nestoil Plc and Obijackson foundation opens up to www.odogwublog.com on his own side of the story

Ndi banyi Eke nem unu. My people from Ihiala and Okija, I greet you. Welcome. Nnoo.

I am overwhelmed and humbled by this great support and solidarity. I did not expect this. I am really grateful and humbled. I want to thank you very for coming to visit me and pay homage. 

Please join me and thank Almighty God for saving my life. For protecting me from the bloody hands of those that give the Igbos race a bad name. As you all know, some people who are the enemies of democracy and enemies of Igbo culture values, tried to assassinate me some days ago, simply because I spoke the truth. Just because I s said that the right thing should be done in Igboland. 

If  people have chosen who ‎they want as a representative, no one has any right to violate the freedom of the people to choose. This is all I said. This is the reason why they tried to kill me. They tried to silence a voice of truth and fairness. When this plan to assassinate me with bullets failed ,these same enemies of our Igbo values, ran to the Internet, TV and Newspapers to tell lies upon lies against me, against my company, against everything that represents truth, fairness, justice. So in addition to facing assassination with bullets, I faced assassination of my character and the spotless name I have built over the years. 

But I refused to be afraid. I refused to run away from my duty as a true Igbo man. I will continue to speak up for the truth and speak against evil and impunity, as I long as I live. The right thing must be done. Your visit to me today, has vindicated me. It shows that we Igbo want nothing but change. A change from oppression, lies, falsehood, stealing, impunity, injustice and evil.  

Some people have told me that since I am not a politician, that I should not come out so boldly to take such a bold stand against corrupt practices, cheating and evil. That coming out almost cost me my life. But my response to these people, is that, yes I am not a politician, but that as an Igboman one of our core values, is to speak out against evil and falsehood. We must stand up for what is right. It I do not come out, who will?

If we all hide inside our houses eating, drinking and enjoying while our values as a people are eroded by criminals, what legacy are we leaving for the next generation? In olden days, the elders in the land, were fearless men ‎with clean hands who spoke the truth and stood up for the right thing to be done, no matter whose ox is gored.

I am calling on my fellow Igbo men of good repute, to speak up against injustice and stand up for what is right. Because if we all go under our bedcovers, keep quiet, close our ears and eyes, criminals, challantans and moral bankrupt persons will take over our land and if this continues, in years to come our people may end up being known only for falsehood, cheating, stealing, lying and kidnapping. 

Ofu aka luta nmannu, ote ndi ozo!!!

I, Obijackson, refused to keep quiet. I choose to take a stand for the correct values to return ‎to Igboland. If Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks did not speak up, will Obama be in the White House today? 

If Nelson Mandela did not speak up, where will South African Blacks ‎be today? Yes, they were intimidated, embarrassed, beaten, imprisoned, slandered, lied against and some even assassinated. But their message of truth lived on and brought unprecedented freedom. 

Even in our own Anambra state, if Willie Obiano our governor closed his eyes to kidnapping and did not tackle the evil head on, will our people now be coming home freely and without fear? The crowd of Igbos from all walks of life that came back to attend my Obijackson Foundation face of Okija cultural Pageant in Okija last December, is proof that the Willie Obiano truly has fought kidnapping to a standstill. Over 4000 Igbos attended the event. 

In our own little corner, community and villages, we must all strive in a peaceful way to stand up for the Igbo timeless values of truth, fearlessness, hardwork, justice, respect for the will of the people. It is a brazen show of lack of respect, that persons from different community will invade our community and perpetuate violence, injustice, falsehood and attempted murder. It is even more tragic that some persons from our own community participated in this evil. 

For those criminals and charlatans who tried to suppress good in our community, the long arm of the law will reach them soon. I assure you. Thank you my people. I will never stop speaking up for your good. Happy Easter.