A human rights lawyer in Rivers state, Uche Okwukwu, has linked the political backwardness of the Igbo in the present day Nigeria, to the massive electoral support they gave the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2011 and 2015 presidential elections.
Okwukwu made this assertion while delivering a maiden lecture organized by Igbo Journalists Forum (IJF) Rivers state branch held at the People’s Club of Nigeria, Rumuola Road, Port Harcourt.
Speaking on the theme: “harnessing the media potentials for the development of Ndi-Igbo”, Okwukwu queried the reason behind the failure of Igbo political elite to discuss with the former president how he intended to develop Igbo land before voting massively for him particularly in the 2011 presidential election.
He said putting their eggs in one basket during the 2015 presidential election, has set the Igbo 25 years backwards, politically.
Okwukwu who was visibly pained by the current abandonment of Ndigbo in the political landscape, tasked journalists of Igbo extraction to use their journalistic skills to reposition the Igbo race in the context of a united country.
He was emphatic that the economic and political fortunes of the Yoruba was enhanced by the South-West media, and wondered why the reverse should be the case among journalists from the South-East.
He decried a situation where erosion ravaging the South East is under-reported, while Igbo journalists dissipate their efforts on the reportage of similar incidents in other parts of the country.
He said: “A situation where the entire South East is being cut-off by erosion and yet no reportage over it, but when there is slight wave in the bar beach , Igbo journalists will alert the nation and the whole world that the ocean is about submerging the entire Lagos to say the least is unthinkable.” he lamented
Okwkwu commended the emergence of the Igbo Journalists Forum (IJF) in Rivers State, stressing that it is the only hope to turn around the fortune of the Ndi-Igbo socially, economically and politically..
He said once an Igbo man becomes the president of the country, the Igbos of Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom and even Benue extractions, would stand up to claim that they are members of Igbo family.
He called on the Federal Government to revisit the abandoned property issue in Rivers and other states of the country, saying that owners of that property should adequately be compensated.
Also speaking, the General Overseer of Abundant Life Evangel Mission, Apostle Eugene Ogu. said Nigeria will only become great again when an Igbo man or woman become the president of the country.
According to him, Ndigbo are naturally talented to the extent that they can squeeze water out of the stone. He urged the IJF to do everything humanly possible to project the image, culture and values of the Igbo race.
Speaking earlier the IJF President, Mr Isaac Mba, thanked all those who attended the event, noting that IJF under his watch will continue to deliver on its vision and mission of showcasing the achievements of sons and daughters of Igbo extraction.
He called for the support of well meaning Nigerians, especially illustrious Igbo sons and daughters across the globe to achieve the “noble course” of IJF.
The chairman of the occasion, High Chief Lord Mike Ezedimora, praised the Igbo journalists for their foresight in forming the forum. He charged them to be objective in their quest to redirect the Igbo nation, while pledging his unalloyed support to the group.
Highlight of the event was the launching of the maiden edition of a quarterly magazine “THE IGBO IDENTITY published by IJF.
