A group of patriotic persons from Southeast Nigeria, De Imperial Philanthropic Family (DIPF), has charged Igbo leaders of thought to rise above mediocre reasoning and face the reality on the ground towards reviving the socioeconomic status of the region.
The welfarist organization, with a mission to improve the economic, educational, and empowerment status of Southeasterners, stated this at its 6th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos, with the theme “The Emerging Southeast: Re-Inventing its Past Glory”.
The event, which attracted personalities, captains of industry, government officials, and academics from the Southeast, featured interactive sessions with lecture series that discussed how to build a sustainable economy for the Southeast region.
Among the dignitaries were former Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Chief Osita Chidoka, as keynote speaker, as well as Chief B.C. Igwilo SAN; Retd. Justice Roseline Ukeje; Executive Director, South East Development Commission (SEDC), Barr. Sylvester Okonkwo; and Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines Corporation, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo.
The President of the De Imperial Philanthropic Family, High Chief Darlington Nwabunike, in his opening remarks, stated that the Philanthropic Family’s 6th AGM goes beyond internal deliberations, adding that it is an intentional evocation of thought and concerns to query the decline of the southern pre-independence regional economic history.
He said the occasion offers an opportunity to discuss and chart a way forward in repositioning the region’s economy.
“Looking at the 6th DIPF AGM on ‘The Emerging Southeast’ and casting our minds back, we feel the glory of the region is lost and we want to revive it. This we will continue to do as we embark on the initiative to improve the socioeconomic status quo of the eastern region by investing in education and building economic partnerships with various stakeholders to create employment opportunities,” Nwabunike said.
“We will continue with our plans to empower and give back to the region that gave us life. So far, we have over a thousand students under our scholarship scheme, including healthcare and infrastructural interventions, among others,” he said.
In his keynote speech, Chief Chidoka charged Southeast leaders to brace up and develop the region. He stressed the need for the region to move from sentimental mentality to growth and shift the paradigm from pushing blames and marginalization to facing reality.
He said the region is too strategic to be left in the hands of the government alone, adding that the states can unlock the untapped economy lying waste in the region through a reawakened spirit.
Speaking on the sidelines, Chidoka said, “The essence of the wake-up call is about rebuilding the Southeast, and in my view, I am convinced that the Southeast region has all the ingredients to do it. We need to be intentional, move from ‘Alibi’, the culture of excuses, to ‘Agency’, the culture of solving problems.
“We have to let go of the politics of grievance and move to the politics of ambition. We cannot be talking about the politics of the past without focusing on the future.
“Southeasterners are a very literate people with all it takes to move forward.”
He also reflected on the competitive nature of Igbo economic development through the Igbo apprenticeship scheme, ‘Nwa boi’, adding that the scheme remains a formidable structure for economic emancipation, growth, and independence.
Chidoka further explained how the region can harp on top priority models to achieve accelerated progress. These, according to him, include education, talent development, logistics and trade, healthcare, agro-processing and cold chain, security, and rule of law as the major catalysts to drive the needed change.
“We cannot become global competitors if we can’t produce quality products. We need to change the culture of substandard products for the region to be reckoned with in the global market,” he added.
Also speaking, Professor Obiora Okonkwo said there is a desire for all to be part of the renaissance in the Southeast to rediscover the region.
He stressed the effects of war and recovery, noting that Southeast leaders in the past did this.
“We must understand the importance of leadership. I also join the keynote speaker in saying we must stop making excuses about what people have done to us. We have to create our own pathway. Let’s agree on marginalization but understand that many other problems lie within us, and we cannot solve them by focusing on shifting blames,” Professor Okonkwo said.
“Secondly, the issue of the Igbo phenomenal apprenticeship scheme called “Igba boi” or “Nwa boi” in the Igbo language has continued to raise different views. I am also glad that it is in the consciousness of many people. I brought my ‘Nwa boi’ message here, which I instituted as a research grant at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK Awka, through my foundation. I conducted scientific research on that course and published an academic book on the subject, researching the stories and biases within and what needs to be done.
“The structure, over time, came with unprecedented stigma that put apprentices in a demeaning state, and I personally changed the perception to assume a new name which I call ‘Nkwado Ogalanya,’ meaning ‘preparation to launch into success.’ We therefore rebaptized it as ‘Aprenticiteneurship’,” he said.
The occasion also saw the induction of new members and an award ceremony honouring distinguished Igbo citizens who have contributed to the economic growth of the region.
