Igbo community unites in Uyo * Sir Barnabas and Chief Eze Umeakuka battle for Ezeship stool

BY KENNETH JUDE

It is comically said that if  you go to any country in the world and you don’t find any Igbo man/woman, then run away from that country. To many, the adage may not really sink in well, but to discerning minds, the dictum have found a significant place in their hearts. There’s no doubting the fact therefore that the Igbos, known for their industry, hard work and high sense of commitment hold a special and unique position as far as the country is concerned. Hardly could one go to any state across the federation without coming in contact with the Igbos or feeling their presence in that clime.

The Igbos has a way of registering their presence wherever they go. This, they do by deploying their natural and home-grown instincts to the maximum by forming themselves into associations, engaging seriously in business which in turn promotes the economy of that enclave and by supporting good courses while contributing positive and well thought out ideas to the development of any state or country they settle in.

In Akwa Ibom state, the story is the same wherever you turn. The Igbos has surely lived up to their billing as they have not disappointed in the various aspects enumerated above. To further make their presence felt and recognised by not just the government, but every well meaning citizen of the state. The Igbos, under the large umbrella of ‘Igbo Community in Uyo’ gathered penultimate Saturday at Christ the King Primary School, Willington Bassey Way, Uyo to merry, rejoice and celebrate in grand style the unity, culture and the essence of the Igbo heritage in a massively attended get-together party.

The ceremony which is an annual ritual had in attendance eminent sons and daughters of Igbo extraction, including the former secretary to the State Government Mr. Udom Emmanuel who was represented by Engr. Ufot Ebong and the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, represented by Dr. Carter Onyeoziri amongst others. The arena was jam-packed with elegantly clad women drawn from the five States making up the South East of Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States, the men were not left out as they appeared in their full traditional attire while the youths and children were on hand to add spice and colour to the day with their Sunday best.

Side attractions including cultural dance by women, breaking of the symbolic kola nut and rendition of rich Igbo tunes to the admiration of all. Excitement and joviality was in full blast even as food and drinks were not in short supply.

The annual get-together party which usually held on Sunday over the years rather took place on Saturday invariably to drive home the message that the Igbos hold the ace as far as the economic life of the State is concerned. Most offices and shops owned by the Igbos were under lock and key as only a few people opened for business. This more than anything lends credence to the love and unity that has returned to the union as everything on the day bordered on solidarity and brotherliness.

In his address on behalf of the Executive Committee, the secretary, Mazi Festus Onuora expressed joy and satisfaction at the massive turn out of dignitaries noting that the gathering is a memorable one in the annals of history. Hear him “for the first time in many years, the entire Igbos in Uyo has gathered as one family under the umbrella of ‘Igbo Community.’’ For the first time, the entire Igbos are celebrating and thanking God without any rancour and acrimony.

When about fourteen years ago, some misunderstanding arose among some of the leaders of the community, it looked like everything had fallen apart. The squabble raged for years with its attendant cost to the community.

However, at God’s appointed time, the ship settled and what appeared impossible became possible instantly. The result is the relative peace that we are witnessing today especially as we gather to celebrate this unity and peace. We cannot but continue to thank the Almighty for His wonderful deeds.” He noted.

Continuing, he admonished all to sustain the new found peace in the community as that is where the strength of the union rest, adding that with that achieved, the collective goal and aspiration of the community will come to fruition. He expressed gratitude to the State Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio for being there for them and further demonstrating that he is a worthy son-inlaw of Igbo land. He poured encomiums on the wife of the governor; Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio whom, he said led the vanguard that brokered the peace that has enveloped the community. He prayed God to give her divine peace all the days of her life. The secretary General acknowledged the cooperation of the State chairman, chapter presidents of Ohanaeze NDIGBO and the entire executives and groups for the Peace Committee who he noted accepted the peace initiative including the chairman and members of the interim government for their courage and commitment which has birthed the present executive committee. He thanked Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the former SSG for honouring their invitation and wished him well in his aspirations.

Commenting on the import of the occasion, Dr. Carter Onyeoziri, who represented the First Lady, noted that the Igbos cannot be left out in the scheme of things as far as the economy of any locality is concerned. His words: “the Igbos are the most industrious group in Nigeria who love to associate with good things. You can see how happy the people are, owing mostly to the peace that the wife of the governor brokered in the community. We thank God for our mother who, like the biblical Esther who was on the throne but never forget her people; we thank God and you can see what dinning means for the people.’’ he also noted that the endorsement of Mr. Udom Emmanuel by the Igbos shows clearly that they are in sync with good things. Also baring his mind on the significance of the occasion, Chief CYC Ezeumeakuka (JP), himself a former president of Igbo community in Akwa Ibom state, Uyo branch and onetime interim president of Eze Ndigbo in Nigeria and Diaspora observed that the crisis that led to the emergence of factions in the forum has been resolved. His words:  “we had two factions in the past which were Igbo Union Federated and Igbo Community and at the end; we have resolved the impasse and have resolved to become one. We accepted to have election for the president and Executive members of Igbo Community in Uyo. 

Thereafter, we have Eze Ndigbo in Akwa Ibom state which I’ll be one of the contestants for the office.’’ He said that the election is billed for November next year. As regards, his co-contestants, the erudite chieftain said he doesn’t know them but noted that the man that was Eze of one of the previous factions was Chief Barnabas Nwannewuihe, adding that he (Ezeumeakuka) has been the Eze Ndigbo for over fourteen years. Speaking on the existing peace in the community, he noted that it was a collective effort in conjunction with Dr. Carter whom he said was sent by the First Lady to bring peace to the union. “The peace that is existing now is attributable to me because I decided to drop my Ezeship, same with the other man so that peace will reign until election is conducted. Kudos must go to the governor’s wife, me, cabinet members and the other faction for restoring peace in the union.

I am the one who accepted everything, and that’s what we are enjoying today hence the credit should mostly come to me. My advice to those aspiring to be the Eze is to maintain the existing peace till the election where we will conduct ourselves orderly so that peace will reign. When the winner emerges, we should accept it because I, for one did not bring Ezeship stool to Akwa Ibom state. When I was elected as president of Igbo Community in Uyo in 1996, I was tied with my contestant, and in compliance with our subsisting agreement, we cast lot and it fell on me hence it indicates clearly that God has ordained me to be a leader.’’ On what caused the rift, he debunked insinuations that he was out to make himself Eze, saying that it’s a lie. “When I introduced Igbo day in this town and Football Association which were fantastic, everything went on smoothly. I was the first person to give Igbo Community a cow and my opponent supported me with a goat.” 

He noted that when he comes in as Eze Ndigbo, the people will see wonders because having been the president of Eze esiNdigbo in Nigeria and Diaspora on interim capacity, “I am widely connected worldwide and have fraternised with the most powerful people in the world including my hometown.” He hinged his aspiration on God, adding that His will shall prevail.

Also speaking, Eze Obed Mbonu who is the first Eze in Akwa Ibom and was coroneted in the year 1997 noted that the gathering of the Igbos as a family is a thing of joy, adding that it’s unique because for over fourteen years, according to him, there was no peace in the community. Listen to him: “as the Eze in Ikot Ekpene, I suffered a lot due to effort to bring peace to the body.” Recounting the genesis of the crisis, he said that it was all about who was going to be the Eze in Uyo, adding that the person who claims to be the Eze has been stoutly rejected by the people because they are not the ones that coroneted him and do not know him while adding that he will coronate the eventual winner after the election.

Another prominent son of the soil, who was all smiles throughout the ceremonies, Deacon Dan Chukwuma, the managing director, Dompec Global Resources Limited expressed joy at the gathering which he noted bore great significance to the Igbos in the State. His words: “we are here to celebrate our Igbo day for the year 2014. You can see the smiles on the faces of the people; in fact, it is very significance in so many ways because it has also availed the Igbo Community in Akwa Ibom State to show the peace that God has given to us. You can see that everyone is smiling; there’s oneness and the whole Igbos both the women, men, youths and  many others are here which shows that peace has come to stay and all of us have embraced peace reflecting the fact that all Igbos are one and there’s no division whatsoever. On what should form the basis of next year’s occasion, the business tycoon said that since the occasion is designed to promote the culture of the Igbos, it is pertinent that all the five states in Igbo land should come up with their traditional dances and rich cultural heritage, while political leaders of note should also be in attendance to show that they are fully in support of what the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo are doing in the State. He added that next year’s event is going to be greater, unique and much wonderful than that of this year.

On whether he is interested in the Ezeship stool come next year, he waved it off immediately, noting that it will happen at the appointed time and certainly not next year.

Speaking in her capacity as the chairperson of Abia Women Wing, Mrs. Mercy Chimma Johnson, who was in bubbly mood expressed elation for being part of the celebration. Hear her: “I am very glad because all Igbo are now united in one accord and it’s a thing of great joy for all of us. Today is a special day to all Igbos in Akwa Ibom State. I congratulate the wife of the governor Mrs. Unoma Akpabio for uniting the Igbos in the State; we regard her as the ‘Nnedi oramma 1’ of Igbo land. She’s a peacemaker and I pray God to grant her favour wherever she goes along with her family.
Also at the occasion was Chief (Hon.) Uzoma Gordian Paul, the chairman of Imo Community in Akwa Ibom State. In his chat with THE INK, he went down memory lane to recount how he began his leadership of the association noting that it was Ichie Barnabas Nwannewuihe who handed over the mantle of leadership to him while pointing out that his tenure will elapse in July next year on completion of his second term in office. The office, according to him has no third term and having been a legislator before taking up the position of chairman of Imo State indigenes in Uyo, including serving variously as councillor in his local government area of Ideator, he must, as he averred abide by the rule of the law.

Speaking on his experience for the past five years as chairman of Imo, he noted that it has been a worthwhile adventure. His words: “it has been very interesting because when I came up as chairman of Imo State, there was crisis in the association as people had lost confidence in the leadership of Imo in Uyo and eventually they ushered me in and in conjunction with my executive members, we have stabilised the body by bringing peace, unity and prosperity because in my completion of office, they will know that I’ve been able to provide a land that is for Imo State indigenes in Akwa Ibom State where we will build a unity hall; and that is a symbol that every indigenous person of Imo State that comes in here will never be stranded.” He noted that the land is located along Idoro road where he hopes to fence round before he leaves office. On the significance of the occasion, he expressed his feeling this way: “you can see cheerful faces and how happy everybody is irrespective of your State. It shows you that where there’s peace and unity, the sky is only the limit. What is happening here shows that Igbos have come together to be one; courtesy of Her Excellency, she ensured that peace returned to this forum after so many years. I give her credit for that.’’ On his advice to those seeking the Ezeship position, he noted that he have been a crusader of peace, in the forum for many years. He admonished them to go into the process as good sportsmen, adding that those aspiring for the office are good people but called on them to allow the wishes of the people to prevail.

“Whether you win it or not, the paramount thing is the unity of Ndi Igbo in Akwa Ibom State. We must realise that we are in another terrain outside our states of origin and so we should comport ourselves properly. We are here just to identify ourselves because nothing of note is attached to this office here, unlike what is obtainable in Igbo land. The basic thing is to unify the people as that is the major thing. It’s a huge office that comes with its own challenges.’’ 

Also speaking, a prominent son of Igbo land who has been in the State since 1972, Ichie Sir Barnabas Nwannewuihe, the patron of Imo Development Association and a contestant to the Ezeship stool in Akwa Ibom State, acknowledged the efforts of Mrs. Unoma Akpabio for the new found peace in  Igbo community in the State. He expressed optimism that he will win the Ezeship election next year and be crowned as the Eze Ndi Igbo in Uyo, noting that once an Eze remains so.

He also noted that he has always contributed immensely to the end of the year party right from when Godwin Ebo, Eze Onuoha, Chief Pat Okpara and others where presidents of the forum. “Once again I am here in support of what is happening today which gives me hope that I will be the Eze from next year. Today’s occasion is marvellous because this is how the Igbos used to be and all our chapter brothers are here including those of Abak, Ikot Ekpene, Oron, Eket and the 31 local government of the State are here today because the president deemed it fit to invite them to also savour the peace brought about by Mrs. Akpabio. We are now one under the name Igbo Community in Uyo. The Igbos has promised to compensate me with the Ezeship due to my humility and services to the Igbo project. My honesty and sense of humility is still with me hence I am the right man to be the Eze. I will do more for the Igbos when I become the Eze. I will also be transparent and ensure that whatever comes in to the forum is shared across board.” He also spoke glowingly of the government of Chief Godswill Akpabio, noting that as an in-law, he has not failed the people and has transformed the State all round. He cited the stadium, flyovers, roads and other facilities as great strides of his administration. He noted that everything he has seen in places like Germany, Belgium, USA, Switzerland etc. has been replicated here. He advised the Igbos to live in peace and avoid causing trouble anymore as the consequences will be damning.

In his viewpoint on the occasion, Prince Raphael Ekebueze who hails from Anambra State described the event as amazing and a wonderful experience to the Igbos in Akwa Ibom State. His words: “Igbos has been having misunderstanding for the past fourteen years but today God has made peace possible in this community not forgetting the effort of the First Lady. Though, she’s not here in person, she has done a great thing for us. I am happy that the five States representing the Igbo tribe are here.” He concluded.

Dignitaries at the occasion included: HRH Eze Elias Ezenagu, Eze Ndigbo in Abak; Engr. Ufot Ebong, representing Udom Emmanuel and all ohaneze chapter presidents.