The Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe has called for a system that would facilitate the development of future leaders of Ndigbo in a 50-year vision programme.
Speaking at the headquarters of the World Igbo Summit Group (WISG) located at the Gregory University, Uturu in Abia state, Achebe said it is important for the Igbos to kick-off the implementation of a plan that will propel the people to a sustainable development within the next 50 years.
“We should start implementation, not just talking; we need good leaders to carry on with the programme,” Achebe said.
He said the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has a vision and the courage to ask questions on the treatment meted to the Igbos.
Achebe said: “Nnamdi Kanu has a vision and he has the courage to ask questions on why an Igbo person is institutionally disadvantaged in the country.”
He further urged Igbo leaders not to be ashamed of Biafra and focus on creating opportunity for Igbo youths to thrive.
“Let us not be ashamed of it, we are all Biafrans in spirit. We have to create opportunity for our youths to rise,” he said.
Achebe also suggested the inauguration of a committee that will kick start the 50-year development plan of the leaders under the aegis of the Igbo Leaders, Elders and Collectives.
The meeting which was presided by the president general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo John Nnia-Nwodo focused on the implementation of the resolutions adopted during the last summit of the WISG on the 50-year development plan proposed by the leaders.
Also speaking at the meeting, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chukwuma Soludo advocated for the creation of Ohanaeze youth wings in all tertiary institution in Igbo land.
Soludo said such groups would help inculcate the spirit of Ndigbo as well provide a foundation for the youths to key into the development plan.
He said, if well executed, the vision would not only ensure a prosperous homeland for the Igbo people but provide an economic strength that would be sustainable in the region and nationwide.
The Ndigbo Development Plan 2066, the group said is aimed at comprehensively tackling the development of Igbo land and would entail persuading Igbo entrepreneurs and investors all over the country and in Diaspora to think-home by bringing part of their investments and wealth home to ensure a prosperous home land.
Also present at the were the former governor of Anambra state Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Chief Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Achuzie, Professor Joe Irukwu, Professor George Obiozor and Dr. Greg Ibe.
Others included a former Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, the former Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Osita Ogbu, Mrs. Josephine Aneni, Prof Viola Onwuliri, Dr Ifedi Okwenna, Mrs. Chidinma Uwajumogu and Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike as well as several traditional rulers and professionals.
