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Ndigbo have been called upon
to heed to the clarion call for a total paradigm shift in governance
trajectory, cultural/traditional reappraisal, business/commercial practices and
most importantly their economic orientation and political alignments.
Senator
Enyinnaya Abaribe made this call while speaking during a lecture in honor of VinMartin Ilo, an ace broadcaster who marked
his 60th birthday, 25th Wedding Anniversary, the launch of his book as well as the commissioning of Signature TV in Enugu on
Wednesday.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Not too late’, Senator Abaribe revealed that Ndigbo has reached a point where they must desist from self-indictment and re-evaluate the terms of engagement with social and political forces for the good of Ndigbo.
According to Abaribe, “it does seem that all we do in Igboland is to dwell only on the negatives when what we must do is to chart a new course. To begin afresh like we did in 1970, commit everything we have towards towering over every other group, through the spirit of “onye ahala nwanne ya”.
"For
me, it is not too late for our rediscovery, reorientation, cultural retooling
and of course a total rebirth. All that
made us strong as a people, all the indices that earned us respect in the comity
of states, must be revived and all our low sides given a total overhaul.” he ascerted.
Abaribe went further to say that, “as a people, we have dwelt so much on our past. But, in doing this, we have also discovered our fault lines and the reasons for our failings and why we did not consolidate on our previous successes. Our progress going forward must now be dependent on how we use this self-rediscovery."
"We must not allow outsiders to set agenda for us because most times, such agenda are meant to weigh our people down. Ndigbo have had enough of such deliberate conspiracies that are targeted at slowing our upward swing in the Nigerian project," he noted.
While insisting that the Igbos must
think skills acquisition, the Senator believes that governments focusing on
education with emphasis on skills acquisition will address this part of our
needs as Ndigbo.
“The development and transformation of Alaigbo (South-East) into an economic powerhouse is the only way to go. Education and skills development will help give us this. We must also re-orient ourselves and go back to the core values which made us great in the past. Without those values, not much can be achieved. But, by painstakingly entrenching education and skills acquisition anchored on the core Igbo values of hardwork, honesty, community, and pride, we will transcend our former glory days. When we achieve this economic power, every other thing will be added unto us” he said.
The
Book titled, 'In your own words - Interviews with VinMartin Ilo was presented
and unveiled by Senator Chris Ngige, immediate past Minister for Labour, a
former Senator representing Anambra Central, and a one-time Governor of Anambra State.
The
commissioned headquarters of Signature TV building was named after late Chairman
of DAAR Communication, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
Dignitaries
present at the commissioning event include former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Architect
Obong Victor Attah who chaired the ocassion, Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi
Osai, wife of AIT DAAR Communication Boss, Rosin Dokpesi, Director General of National
Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Africa Director, MacArthur Foundation, Kole Shetima, former APGA National Chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu amongst other top government officials, captains of industry, media practitioners, amongst others.
