Obi of Onitsha advocates for Re-structuring of Nigeria ,urges Anambra people to invest at home

www.odogwublog.com reports that the demands by the youths majority  in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has gotten a boost as the traditional ruler of Onitsha , His Majesty, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), the Obi of Onitsha, yesterday supported the clamour in different quarters for restructuring of the country.

Obi Achebe, tracing the history of Nigeria from independence to date, wondered if Igbo are not the least prepared to face project Nigeria whether it is restructured, breaks ups or whatever, because, they chose to be divided along political lines to the extent that Ministers who served in the previous administration or those serving now do not communicate with Governor Willie Obiano, for instance, just because they do not belong to the same political party.

The call was made by His Majesty, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), the Obi of Onitsha, yesterday, during his lecture at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka, as part of activities lined up to mark Anambra’s 25th anniversary.
Achebe, in his lecture tagged “Think Nigeria, Invest in Anambra”, said that majority of investments that developed Lagos, Kano, Abuja, and even cities outside Nigeria are owned by people of Igbo extraction and, majority of which belong to Anambrarians.

Obi Achebe acknowledged that Igbo are the most dispersed tribe in Nigeria and yet, have not learnt that community life instead of individualism is the best form of preserving their destiny.
He advised Igbo to bear in mind that the long term interest of their business can only be achieved in a fair country and to factor long term interest of their investment and be prepared to negotiate the restructure of the country from position of strength;
That they should progressively diversify homewards and make Igbo land a power house.
To make progress, Obi Achebe said, Igbo must stop being hostage in other people’s domain; restart core Igbo moral values, change their attitude; balance their individual competitiveness with communal life while home government should create enabling environment to attract Igbo investors, among other things.
The Anniversary Lecture was attended by traditional rulers in the state, politicians, and who is who in the state.
Anambrarians at home and in Diaspora have been urged to repatrate some of their investments to Anambra in order to help in the socio-economic development of the state.
On think home philosophy, Obi Achebe noted with regret that as Anambrarians continued to invest in other states and develop them, while Anambra, their home state, has continued to lag behind in the areas of infrastructural development, employment generation, etc.
Enumerating industries and investments owned by Anambrarians outside their state, which have helped in developing economies of such states, the Obi of Onitsha urged citizens of the state to remember home; and to understand that one investment somebody has at home is worth more than two owned by such person abroad; also citing instances of cases where Igbo investments in other states became targets during wars, demonstrations and riots.

“My dear people of Anambra State, this call for us to think home as regards citing or establishing our investments do not start today. When we are talking about marginalization of Ndigbo in federal government appointments and employments, let us remember that we can employ and fend for ourselves without being dependent on governments at any level.
“My people let us think home. Let us remember our state. Investments made in your own state will go a long way to boosting her economy, creating massive employment and developing the state. This is inspite of the fact that in some Igbo states, especially Anambra, the governor has created a socially, stable and viable environment for investments to thrive”, he said.
Translating ‘Aku Lue Uno’  as “indigenization of wealth”, Achebe advised Igbo to think like the Jews, who are not just investors in the Diaspora, but have very strong investment base at home.

Captions to the Photo

R-L: Former Vice President , Dr Alex Ekwueme flanked left by Governor Willie Obiano’s representative and Speaker of Anambra state House of Assembly, Right Hon. Rita Maduagwu and SSG Prof Solo Chukwulobelu and Chief of Staff Prof Aziken at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka  during a lectrue by His Majesty, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), the Obi of Onitsha, , as part of activities lined up to mark Anambra’s 25th anniversary.


A cross section of dignitaries including APGA state Chairman in Anambra , Sir Norbert Obi , and Chief Victir Umeh, former APGA National Chairman , Dr Alex Ekwueme, former vice President  and Speaker Anambra state , Right Hon. Rita Maduagwu at the lecture delivered by the His Majesty, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), the Obi of Onitsha as part of activities lined up to mark Anambra’s 25th anniversary at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka 

The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), presenting his paper as part of activities lined up to mark Anambra’s 25th anniversary at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka.