Suleiman Anyalewechi, Aba
The dreams, struggles and legacies of the founding fathers and touch bearers of the Igbo nation shall never be allowed to be extinguished.
Igbos at home and in the diaspora, should always strive to rekindle and sustain the flame of patriotism, selflessness, commitment and dedication exemplified by such individuals like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Akanu Ibiam, Dr M I Okpara, Prof Ben Nwabueze and other past heroes and heroines.
The admonition and promise were the fulcrums of the presentations made by the trio of Bishop Isaac Nwaobia Anglican Bishop of Aba/Ngwa Dioceses, Professor Uzodinma Nwala and Bar. Ukpai Ukairo at a one-day memorial symposium jointly organized by the Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, and the Aba branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in honour of the late legal icon Prof. Ben Nwabueze in Aba on Saturday December 16, 2023.
Bishop Nwaobia a member of the Board of Trustees, ADF, while extolling the virtues and patriotic contributions of Prof. Nwabueze to the overall development of Nigeria, particularly to the enrichment of her legal frameworks, urged Igbos across the globe to prioritize Igboland in their investment decisions as a veritable way of providing job opportunities for the teaming youths and growths and development of the region, adding that the Igboland provides a better security for their investments.
The fiery clergyman, assured that although Prof. Nwabueze and other progenitors of the Igbo Nation may have gone, their legacies will be sustained.
“These people fought and died for the nation, but their contributions to nation building are not being acknowledged in that the Igbos are today being suffocated and relegated. We have suffered enough at the hands of other people we regard as our brothers and sisters in the Nigerian project,” Nwaobia lamented.
Against the backdrop of the neglect and suppression of the Igbo Nation, despite their huge contributions to the unity, progress and development of Nigeria, Bar. Ukairo, who is also the Legal Adviser of the ADF said it is high time the Igbos began to interrogate their disposition towards placing more premium on the so-called national issues, as against the interests of their people.
According to him, it is time the Igbos begin to think first and foremost about the interests of their people, as past nationalistic principles and efforts of their departed fathers are not being appreciated.
However, President- General of ADF, emiratus Prof. Nwala, while recounting the roll call and patriotic zeal of departed Igbo founding figures, prayed for the rekindling of their leadership spirit in Igbo youths of today, given the perilous times Igbo Nation is passing through.
“The Alaigbo Development Foundation ( ADF) pay her great tribute to Prof Ben Nwabueze and his compatriots and pray that their leadership spirit return to us at this critical period the enemy is set to give us a heart punch . The Igbo Nation shall surely overcome the assault of both her external and internal enemies ” Prof Nwala stated.
