Greetings
I am Mcginger Nonso Ibeneme. I am from Elugwu akwu Achi in Oji River local government of Enugu state. I am a medical doctor, trained in Nigeria where I have lived and worked for about a decade. I am 36 years and reside in Enugu.
I am not only a full blooded Igboman, I am also a chief, and my father is royal.
I am a believer in the Nigeria of our dreams, that's why in the mist of all the frustrations and disappointments we face everyday in our country, I have resisted the temptation to just pack and bolt away. I do not blame those that left, I only urge them not to abandon the fatherland.
I am also a passionate Igboman. I love the Igbo cause. But I have taken time to think seriously on what actually is the Igbo interest. I believe, from my analysis, that our recent political leaders have misled us. They satisfy their personal interests, and they sell them to us as our collective interest.
Our heroes past impacted so much to the development and improvement of Igboland. They were passionate and committed to Igbo development. They didn't enrich themselves. They had honour.
These were Igbo scholars who took to politics for the greater good of igboland. Today our intellectuals abandon leadership to charlatans and criminals whose sole interest is to steal and enrich themselves at the detriment of our future and that of our descendants. Here we are today as a result. The locust days however isn't the greatest danger we face, the real danger is that there is a methodical recruitment and grooming of the likes to continue in the thread of missgovernance. Touts are being positioned for succession. The future is really gloomy, unless we act now to stop them.
The south east is the least integrated of all the regions. There is no regional economic plan. The igbo business interests are largely abroad. Leaving us at the mercy of at times hostile hosts that perennially attack and destroy our establishments. Our governors are often against true or fiscal federalism. Because they are too lazy and lack the creativity and will to pursue self sustainance and survival outside the FGN monthly pay check. In the face of dwindling oil revenue, what is our faith?
Okpara was a medical doctor who took to agriculture as state business. Under him we fed ourselves and even exported. Today 90% of our food come from outside, yet we have large expanse of arable land and teeming unemployed youths.
Nowhere in Igboland is power generated currently even with abundant coal reserves in Enugu and Nsukka areas. Oji thermal station is in ruins.
Our schools rank among the worst in the country which in turn rank among the worst in Africa which in turn rank among the worst in the world.
The Igbo prided finest African scholars, what went wrong?
The politicians are killing the culture and spirit of Igboness. The spirit that made us aspire. That liberty to explore and excel. The Republican Igbo spirit.
Today, to get a job you need their endorsement. To be attended to in government hospitals, to be admitted into schools, to vie for positions even as student leader you need to be in their good books and they must be pleased with you. No more fair competition. Excellence is sacrificed on the alter of nepotism. They have everything to share. The gifted child is swallowed up. No more reward for hard work.
Today those who cheated in school have become heads of departments and heads of schools. Magistrates and Judges are now appointed based on who knows who. Academic excellence has invariably plummeted and justice taken flight from the land. Criminals who have relationship with the party in power are routinely foisted on towns and villages as their traditional rulers and morality has been turned on its head in our communities.
The church isn't spared as spiritual leaders have been corrupted with ill gotten wealths.
Our girls occupy hotels in the cities selling sex and embarking on sexual deviant behaviours because of craze for quick riches. They are in Europe, Asia and America shaming our ancestors while our young men indulge in pushing drugs, armed robbery and fee frauds. Igbo families are in disarray because now we worship wealth rather than character. This culture has its roots in brazen display of loots by the political class. The list is endless.
Need I still remind us that time is now to act?
I have a proposal. It is about recovery and restoration. The way back will be tough and perilous but I have a gut feeling that if we act now, we shall excel.
I strongly believe that with the strength of the social media and commitment in our side we can effectively reeducate our youths and lead them to recovery and restoration. Let us restle power from crooks and show leadership by example. We no longer have options, shouting, ranting, complaining and even demonstrating no longer change nothing. Hence let's walk the talk.
The vacuum of positive leadership leaves our youth vulnerable to negative leadership. Our land is at the brink of gangleadership as war mongers and gangsters are gaining popularity, notice the deafening silence of the politicians!
We had a war in the past, we paid dearly for it. Do we wanna go down that road again? The war of igbo survival has to be intellectual. We have intellectual advantage and I plead for us to use it now to save our land. That is my proposal. Let's fight with our phones, our computers and our brains. Let's take back the land and show good example.
Enugu became cosmopolitan since 1917,almost a Millennium later, no rail transportation, no standard airport, no standard road transport, no standard economic blue print, no established revenue source, no cultural or social direction. Nothing. Just a broke city that rely on cheque from FGN to do virtually everything including to sweep her streets.
Imo and Enugu States are vulnerable at the moment. I propose we take off with them both and then spread to other states of the region and the nation.
Enugu can be an exporter of education like the state of Massachusetts, it can also produce Health care, tourism and agriculture. Industrialization is a huge possibility with coal and power generation. Imo can export agriculture and tourism. Let us come together and develop a cerebral manifesto that would flag off the campaign for Recovery and Restoration.
I offer strong Will, Honesty and Patriotism to drive this.
If Igbo intellectuals can come together, we will chase away the rogues and save the motherland.
My name is Mcginger Nonso Ibeneme, I am an Igbo youth, I can lead the battle in Enugu State. I need you on board.
The time is now to act... This is a clarion call.
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