The ongoing unnecessary imbroglio over the Anambra state budget, is a source of extreme sadness among not just Anambrarians, but the generality of Ndigbo. It is even more saddening to see how some Igbo individuals have themselves become the obstacles to the advancement of their motherland out of sheer greed and partisanship. Given the recent and peculiar history of the Igbo nation; how we have been victims of genocide, and how we continue to face unrelenting marginalization at the hands of the federal government, it is shocking that any Igbo would in the least, for whatever reason constitute himself or herself into an obstacle to the advancement of their homelands.

In the aftermath of the Biafra-Nigeria ethnic war, the Igbo must realise that they are surrounded by enemies, and by consequence have no friends. Just as the Germans did after the 2^nd world war, and as the Jews are presently doing in Israel, the Igbo must begin now to work tirelessly, using any means necessary, in the aggressive development and industrialization of their homelands. That is the only way to guarantee a future for our forbears, bring our people home, and ultimately achieve greater security for a people who out of necessity are currently scattered all over a volatile nation that is frequently prone to ethnic and religious riots.

Many models exist from which the Igbo can draw inspiration for the development of their homelands. The Singaporean and Taiwanese models are practicable enough. Just like both nations, the Igbo nation can best be industrialized by taking advantage of the already existing creative and entrepreneurial base to create a large scale modern and massive cluster of small scale enterprises in dedicated industrial parks concentrated solely on the production of goods. Various packages of incentives will naturally attract entrepreneurs into such designated business parks and spur a production revolution anchored on small scale enterprises.

Anambra state lawmakers should concentrate on articulating such aggressive policies for rapid industrialization, rather than partisan bickering over the state budget. Onitsha is a commercial centre in decline that has hardly achieved its huge potentials. There is no difference between the concept that gave birth to Hong Kong, and the concept of Onitsha. But while Hong Kong has grown into an ultra modern city, expanding its market and wealth, Onitsha has regressed into an unplanned, chaotic city, diminishing its potentials and wealth, the same is true of Aba. Any true Igbo son must feel so sad over the neglect and absence of common sense that has destroyed both cities that should ordinarily be ultra-modern centres of commerce and industry.

Anambra lawmakers should be having sleepless nights and creating action committees on the redevelopment and modernisation of Onitsha and elsewhere in the state. The tax funds coming from Onitsha would be enough to achieve a substantial modernisation and beautification of Onitsha in an aggressive 4 year plan. What is at stake is the future of every child, including the children of the lawmakers. Nigeria has failed because of the many contradictions that dog its very existence, but the Igbo need not fail along with Nigeria. As a homogenous group of people freed from the contradictions of Nigeria, we can strive to do things differently, in order to create and showcase a progressive homeland markedly different from the rot and chaos of Nigeria. All that is required is commonsense. We as a people can choose as role models and imitate successful nations such as Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia, Taiwan etc. We must bear in mind that the citizens of such successful nations do not have two heads, neither are they magicians, they are just as human and as ordinary as we are. They achieved such great strides against many odds through common sense and determination. We as a people can do as much and even better if we so choose. Great nations are made not by natural resources, but by creativity, determination, enterprise and above all the human resource and spirit.

Except the lawmakers have chosen for themselves and their entire generation a future in exile, they would realise the extreme importance of working to advance their homelands. Indeed even exile within Nigeria cannot be guaranteed if history can be our guide. Any chain of unforeseeable events can lead to ethnic or religious clashes that would result in a massive exodus of people to their homelands. This scenario has happened many times in Nigeria’s history and we can see it currently playing out in Kenya. Nigeria and much of Africa remains highly volatile along ethnic and religious lines. Political leaders who fail to learn from such historical realities would be condemning their people to a future of strife and pestilence.

Beginning from now, Igbo leaders must assemble to initiate an “Igbo project” solely committed to the aggressive development of their homelands. In this regard, the Anambra state lawmakers should for the sake of the future of the Igbo nation, cease every unnecessary partisan confrontation over the Budget. Rather than reducing it, the budget should be increased in an ambitious drive to raise funds by any means including fund raisers to achieve major development projects. Dreams are staircases to reality, and those who aim for the sky might not get to the sky, but they will at least come close to it. Anambra lawmakers should think big, dream big and aim for the sky. Anambrarians and the Igbo in general are a very ambitious and patriotic group. Once real and genuine leaders and projects can be identified, Anambrarians and the Igbo public both at home and in the Diaspora, will be able to through fundraisers raise whatever shortfall exists in the budget to help actualise lofty development projects.

Many an Igbo believe the Igbo are Jews, I believe so too. But Being a Jew comes with many expectations and responsibilities. The expectations particularly compels us to be significantly very progressive. Israel is currently showing its exceptional mettle by its great development strides and by its remarkable triumph and survival in the midst of enemies. Its time for the Igbo to also show its mettle by blazing a development trail within their homelands never before seen on the African continent. Ladies and gentlemen, honourable members of the Anambra state house of Assembly, I rest my case as I urge in parting once again the members to attempt to think big and dream big without any limitations.

God bless the Igbo nation.

Comrade Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu

Email:lawrencenwobu@yahoo.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 The ongoing unnecessary imbroglio over the Anambra state budget, is a source of extreme sadness ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 08.04.2008 13:31

aguabata  Villager

# 2 To start with, I dont give a hoot if i am a jew or not, for now i am an Igbo man simple, you dont have to cry over spilt milk, the current legislature in Anambra, were not voted in by the people, it is stating the obvious that elections didnt hold in most parts of Anambra, Mugabe's ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) should be patting themselves on the back despite the global outrage or is it British and American outrage. We shouldnt expect any better from the legislature, Kudos to the few legislators who has distanced themselves from the rest, We can only show Peter Obi our support just as the Anambra traders did today. Posted by aguabata| 08.04.2008 13:56

ozion ozumba  Villager

# 3 Thanks Chinedu for the good exhortation. I think that is the part to toe with these 'HONORABLES' in Anambra. They actually carry big burden of illegitimacy which they try to compound with grandstanding over nothing. What is the big deal about Oversite? They carry their duty beynd the brief, they should read up on the Constitution and show us where the Legislature wre-writes entire Budget to siut their whims in the name of oversite. We need to rescue them from themselves period. Posted by ozion ozumba| 10.04.2008 14:13