40 IGBOS PIONEERS AND ACHIEVERS IN NIGERIAN AND AFRICAN HISTORY

434 views

Skip to first unread message

africa today

unread,

Sep 23, 2014, 11:20:38 AM9/23/14

to africanw...@googlegroups.com, my brother, igbo events, Nigeria World, warsa...@yahoo.com

40 IGBOS PIONEERS AND ACHIEVERS IN NIGERIAN AND AFRICAN HISTORY

zik of Africa.

FIRST NIGERIAN GOVERNOR GENERAL AFTER THE BRITISH LEFT FROM 1957-1960

FIRST NIGERIAN PRESIDENT FROM 1960-1966

Chief Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, P.C. (Zik) (November 16, 1904 – May 11, 1996),^[2] usually referred to as Nnamdi Azikiwe, was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism. He was head of state of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966. He served as the second and last Governor-General from 1960 to 1963 and the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966, holding the presidency throughout the Nigerian First Republic.

==========================\

HEAD OF STATE OF NIGERIA.

Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi (3 March 1924 - 29 July 1966) was a Nigerian soldier. He seized power in the chaos that ensued the first military coup in Nigeria and served as the Head of State of Nigeria from 16 January 1966 until he was overthrown and killed on 29 July 1966 by a group of Northern army officers who revolted against his perceived government

=================================

VICE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA

Dr Ekwueme assuming office as the first executive Vice President of Nigeria from 1980 to 1984 with President Shehu Shagari as the President before they were overthrown by Buhari lead Military Government in 1984.

Alex is a distinguished architect. He started his professional career as an Assistant Architect with a Seattle based firm, Leo A. Daly and Associates, and also with the London based firm Nickson and Partners. On his return to Nigeria, he joined ESSO West Africa, Lagos, overseeing the Construction and Maintenance department.

Alex then went on to create a successful private business with his firm - Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners, the first indigenous architectural firm in Nigeria. His practice flourished with 16 offices spread all over Nigeria and was wound up in preparation for Dr Ekwueme assuming office as the first executive Vice President of Nigeria. Dr. Ekwueme had presided over the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria

===================================================

General Ebitu Ukiwe= VICE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA

He became second in command or vice President to Head of State General Babangida

He became the Chief of General Staff in 1985 under General Ibrahim Babangida

Ukiwe was a member of the Supreme Military Council between 1975 and 1977.^[3] General Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him military governor of Niger state in 1977. He was re-deployed to Lagos state as governor in July 1978, holding this post until October 1979.^[4] He was appointed director, Naval Faculty, Jaji (1981–1984) and Flag Officer, Western Naval Command (1984–1985).^[3] He became the Chief of General Staff in 1985 under General Ibrahim Babangida. He retired with the rank of Commodore in January 1987 after falling out with Babangida.^[2]

========================

many famous "Nigerian" scientists and technologists Are actually Igbo?

Leo Stan Eke - Computer Guru and CEO of Zinox Technologies

Damian Anyanwu - Inventor

Cyprian Emeka Uzoh - "Father of Modern Chip Interconnection Technologies", World-class scientist and prolific inventor holding over 100 US patents.

Augustine Njoku-Obi - Developer of cholera vaccine

Bartholomew Nnaji - Robotics Scientist

Peter Nwangwu - Famous pharmacology research scientist, American Businessman of the year as chosen by the Business Advisory Council of the United States

Philip Emeagwali - American computer scientist and mathematician, winner of Gordon Bell Prize for supercomputing - winner in Price/Performance ratio category.

Augustine Esogbue - NASA scientist

Cyril Agodi Onwumechili - Physicist

Chike Obi - Mathematician

Mike Onwuejeogwu - Renowned Anthropologist

There are currently over 7 scientists working at NASA who are of Igbo decent.

http://www.slideshare.net/EdKeazor/30-igbo-pioneers

30 Igbo Pioneers In History

by Ed Keazor , Barrister-at-Law at Rose Chambers- Lagos, Nigeria

on Jul 03, 2014

30 Igbo Pioneers In History Presentation Transcript

30 IGBO PIONEERS IN HISTORY
PIONEERS? PRIMACY IN: • DEVELOPING NEW IDEAS- AND: • ACHIEVEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL POSITIVE OUTCOMES IN A FIELD OF ENDEAVOUR;
THE LIST
EZE NRI IFIKUANIM
• Priest King of the ancient Nri kingdom of Igboland, said to be the cradle Of Igbo civilisation c.1000 AD • A highly intelligent, scholarly King, who is said to have traded with the Kingdoms Of the Middle-East and Asia. The source of his power being benevolence, knowledge and religious knowledge; • Grave was believed to have been unearthed by Archaeologist Thurston Shaw, who discovered a burial Chamber with remains adorned in robes, bronze crown, sceptre, staff and breast-Plates adorned with glass beads, which are said to have been obtainable at the time from Egypt. • The Igbo-Ukwu bronzes and the Nsude Pyramids are said by Historians to be Religious artefacts and symbols of the Nri Kingdom. • He instituted the Igbo Market days and introduced Yam as staple crop of the Igbo’s.
AFRICANUS HORTON
• Horton was born in Sierra Leone of Igbo parentage. He and Broughton Davies were selected by the Army, for Medical training, qualifying from Kings College and Edinburgh in 1858/1859. Enlisted as an Assistant-Surgeon in 1859. • He practised in Ghana and then Sierra Leone, promoted Surgeon- Major in 1875 and retired in 1881. He and Davies were the 1st Nigerian Doctors and the 1st African Army Officers. • He wrote one of the first African nationalist texts- “In defence of the African”. • He established and managed a Bank in Sierra Leone after his retirement.
REVEREND JOHN C TAYLOR
• Born c 1815 in Sierra Leone of Igbo repatriate parents. He trained as a School-teacher at the Fourah Bay College and taught for 16 years. • He was ordained a Priest on 8 June 1856, alongside seven other Cathechists by Bishop Weeks.He was taken by Bishop Crowther to Igbo-land in 1857, to set up a permanent Mission at Onitsha. • He was hugely influential in winning converts, by his pragmatic, compassionate Ministry. • He translated Hymns and Prayer into Igbo, before returning to Sierra Leone in 1868. • The next Igbo-man to be ordained was Reverend George Anyaegbunam on February 13 1898
ISAAC MBA
ISAAC MBA Born in 1860 at Onitsha he was admitted to Fourah Bay College, Freetown Sierra Leone, In 1880 (alongside Ephraim Agha) graduating in 1882- the first Igbo’s to achieve this. He joined the CMS Mission and assisted Archdeacon Johnson, in translating two of the four gospels into Igbo language in 1889. (Mbajekwe). An early Nationalist –he stood up against the CMS Church – his first employers for its treatment of African clergymen, including Crowther, for which he was dismissed by the CMS Church in 1890. He joined the Niger Coast Protectorate in 1893 and rose to become Deputy Chief Clerk of the PWD in 1898. He retired in 1910 and became extremely wealthy from trading in produce And Licensed Money-Lending and was bestowed with the title Owelle of Onitsha He was one of the members of the Legislative Council 1922- the first Elected Legislature and the joint-first Igbo Legislator, alongside S.C.Obianwu, Serving till his death in 1930
S.C.OBIANWU
• He was born at Onitsha in 1861 and attended the Kippo Hill School Lokoja, (alongside George Anyaegbunam 2nd Igbo Clergyman) between 1883-1887. • He worked for the CMS Mission, as well as acting as an Agent for European Traders on the Niger Coast. • He amassed a small fortune, becoming one of the wealthiest traders in the area. • He (alongside Isaac Mba) was one of the members of the first elected Nigerian Parliament in 1922, nominated to represent the Niger Traders. • His activism and contributions on the floor of the House were powerful and cogent e.g The provision of utilities to African residents of Port Harcourt And most importantly- the demand for a second enquiry into the Aba Women’s War
OMU NWAGBOKA
• The Ikporo Onitsha was the ancient powerful female political Institution of Onitsha, of which the Omu or Queen Headed. The Omu title was common to the people of Anioma. The Omu was a powerful spiritual and political position. • Nwagboka was a wealthy trader, who amassed such wealth and influence, her selection for assumption of the office was unsurprising. • She was a substantial influence on the Obi and was one of the signatories to the 1884 RNC Treaty. A Christian convert, she would close the Market on Sundays. • She was engaged in a dispute with Obi Anazonwu, which saw her ordering the women to boycott their husbands. Upon her death in 1888, no other Omu had been appointed till date.
IGWE ISRAEL IWEKA
• Born in 1879, he was an early Christian convert in The Lower Niger area and received a secondary school education. • He was one of the first Nigerian Civil Engineering contractors and built the massive Iweka Road at Onitsha, amongst others. • He wrote the first History of the Igbo people, both in English and Igbo in 1922. • He became a Warrant Chief of Obosi, his hometown in 1932.
J.C.ULASI
J.C.Ulasi was born at Nnewi c.1890, born to a modest Christian Family, but schooled in the determined competitive and mercantile traditions of his people. He is said to have travelled on foot from Nnewi to Aba in the mid-1920’s, in search of fortune (“Oji ukwu ejeAba”). At Aba he traded in textiles and produce, slowly and painstakingly building a solid asset base By setting up roadside stalls along the Aba Road. He would recruit apprentices from Nnewi At one stage, up to seventy. By 1933, he had built up a fleet of six lorries, which he deployed into a road haulage business Which earned him a Mail delivery contract for the Eastern Provinces. He later built up this fleet To 10 lorries. He became a Warrant Chief at Aba and died in 1944. His kinsman Louis Odumegwu-Ojukwu Was to succeed him as the King of the road haulage business by the formation of his legendary Ojukwu Transport Company in 1937.
NWANYEREUWA/IKONNA ENYIA/MARY OKEZIE
Nwanyereuwa was a widow in the village of Oloko, on the Outskirts of Aba, who was approached by an agent of the Warrant Chief Okugo ostensibly on a tax assessment, upon which a scuffle ensued, • She rallied women to her aid in the traditional method, by sending Palm fronds to her fellow women, who came out in their 1000’s, mobilised largely by Ikonna Enyia, a formidable women leader in the area. Her ethos being peaceful but robust protest both against the tax and the Warrant Chief system. • This set in motion the most violent protest of the early Colonial era, in which several persons were killed by the Colonial authorities, leading to two panels of enquiry. The first being a whitewash by the Colonial authorities and the second constituting of two Nigerians, which recommended a review of colonial administrative practices. The representations from the women at the second panel were written by a young teacher- Mary Okezie, which were instrumental in stating their side. • Ikonna Enyia was to continue her activism, later protesting against unfair taxes by the Eastern Region Government of Dr Azikiwe. • The riots became a rallying call of protest, for women not just in Nigeria but all over the world.
18. SIR LOUIS MBANEFO
Born at Onitsha in 1911 and called to the Bar in 1935, making himthe first Igbo Lawyer He practised for 15 years, before election to the Eastern Region House of Assembly in 1950. He was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1952- the first Igbo Judge. He was appointed the first Chief Justice of the Eastern Region, in 1961. The first Nigerian to be appointed to the International Court of Justice in 1962- as an ad-hoc Judge, sitting on the South-Western Africa cases of 1962 – 1966. He was Knighted by the Queen in 1961 He was appointed Chief Justice of Biafra, on declaration in 1967. He also led the Biafran Delegation to the various peace talks and played an active part in the surrender of 1970. He declined a return to the Nigerian Bench after the war and died in 1977,
EUGENE KEAZOR AND FREDERICK ONYIUKE
F.G.Onyiuke was born at Nimo, Anambra State c.1903 and attended the Catholic Primary School at Nimo, before gaining admission into Kings College Lagos in 1922, said to be the first Igbo-man to achieve this. He joined the Colonial Civil Service and progressed his career, before joining the Police Cadet Officer Training programme in 1929. He was appointed a full Inspector of Police On 1 October 1930, the joint-first Igbo-man to achieve this. Eugene was born at Obosi in 1907 and attended Obosi Community Primary School and was a foundation student of Dennis Memorial Grammar School in 1925. He joined the Nigeria Police Officer Cadet training programme, after which He was appointed a Police Inspector- on 30 October 2014, the joint first Igbo-man To achieve this. He retired as a Police Commissioner in 1964.
DR SIMON ONWU
Born in 1908 in Affa – Udi, Enugu State. He was the beneficiary of The vision of the legendary Chief Onyeama Onwusi of Eke, who saw Education as the path of progress for his people. He trained at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying in 1932, making him the second Igbo Medical Doctor, but the first to practice in Nigeria. He practiced In the Government Medical Service in Port Harcourt, before embarking on a Successful private career. His achievement opened the door for several generations after him, such as Akanu Ibiam, Walter Amobi, Jonas Iweka etc
BEN ENWONWU
Born at Onitsha, he studied Fine Art and became the first Nigerian Artist to have his works exhibited in the United Kingdom. He was the first African Artist to have the Queen sit for him- Sculpture in 1959. He was awarded the OBE by the Queen for his contributions to the arts. His works are exhibited all over the world and in particular adorn some of Nigeria’s iconic buildings
IGWE ISAAC IWEKA
Born in 1911.Isaac Iweka was the eldest son of Igwe Israel Eloebo Iweka, (described above) He attended Saint Andrews Primary School Obosi. The Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar and Dennis Memorial Grammar School where he was as a foundation student. He worked with the United African Company (U.A.C.), after leaving school. He joined the service of PWD, from whom he obtained a University scholarship and attended Imperial College, London, graduating in 1939 with a Degree in Civil Engineering. The first Igbo-man to achieve This. He returned to the PWD and worked as a Chief Engineer, retiring in 1956. He worked briefly as MD of Union Construction Company and his own company Isajohn, till he was installed the Igwe of Obosi in 1974. He passed away in 1996.
MADAM MARY NZIMIRO
Born Mary Nwametu Onumonu on October 16, 1898, in Oguta. She attended Sacred Heart School in Oguta and a Convent , briefly, from where she married politician Richard Nzimiro in 1920. She started her trading business in Port Harcourt in 1921, selling produce. She expanded Rapidly, till she became the UAC’s biggest agent in Port Harcourt. At the peak of her Business in the 1940’s, her annual turnover was in excess of £150,000 per annum She organised co-operatives for women, giving them assistance in setting up their own Businesses. She was a politician and activist, famously bank-rolling her husband’s successful Mayoral bid In Port Harcourt in 1951. She is said to have been one of the first Igbo female Millionaires. She passed away in 1993.
LAUD VICTOR UGBOMA
He was born at Atani in Ogbaru, present day Anambra State, and Initially trained as a teacher. •He received emergency commission into the Army on 28th August 1948, becoming the first Nigerian born Officer. •He is said to have been instrumental to the award of Commissions, to other Nigerians. •He relinquished his commission in April 1953 and went back to teaching- at Zixton Grammar School Ozubulu. He passed away In 2002, after proving his primacy in the officer corps.
ADA PRISCILLA NZIMIRO
Ada Priscilla Nzimiro was born at Port Harcourt, in 1923, to Richard and Mary Nzimiro She realised her parents dreams by admission to the University of Glasgow in 1945, to study Medicine. She graduated in 1950,becoming the first Igbo woman to qualify as a Doctor. She returned to Nigeria, in 1950, but died suddenly in 1951.
EMMANUEL IFEAJUNA
Born at Onitsha in 1932, he attended DMGS Onitsha, and was subsequently Admitted to the University College Ibadan, to study Science. Whilst at UCI, he was selected for the Nigerian Athletics team, competingAt the Empire Games and Commonwealth Games, Vancouver Canada in 1954. He won the Gold Medal in the High Jump, with a leap of 2.03m, which was also a new Commonwealth Record. He became the first Nigerian to win a Gold Medal in International Sporting Competition.
DAN ANYIAM TITUS OKERE
• Dan Anyiam was born in 1929 at Owerri and made history by his Part as one of the first set of Igbo’s to play for National Team- the UK Tourists- 1949; the first Igbo to captain the National team and Significantly as The first Nigerian to obtain an FA Coaching certificate and the first Nigerian Indigenous coach in 1954 • Titus Okere also part of the UK Tourists team of 1949, and made history by becoming the first Nigerian to sign a Professional Football Contract with Swindon Town in 1953.
CHIEF JANET MOKELU
Janet Mokelu was born at Oraifite In Anambra State. She was an Active member of the National Council for Nigerian Citizens and headed its womens wing. She made history alongside Margaret Ekpo by becoming two of the First women in Nigeria to be elected into a Regional Parliament, The Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly, in 1961. She also served as Regional Minister for Works in the Eastern Region, during the First Republic.
THEOPHILUS NZEGWU ROBERT MGBARONYE
Theo Nzegwu was born in 1928 and attended the Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha, Faraday College, London, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, where he qualified as an Engineer. He joined the RAF in 1959, as a Flying Officer in the Education Corps, making him the first Igbo Airforce Officer. He joined the Nigerian Airforce in 1964, as a Squadron Leader (Major) and Instructor. He was killed in the pogrom of July 1966- alongside his contemporary Squadron Leader Obi Robert Ngbaronye was born in 1921 and attended the Yaba Higher College, before stowing Away and joining the RAF in 1943. After initial training, he became an Airforce Pilot, The first Igbo-man to achieve this. However he reached the Rank of Flight Sergeant and did not receive an Officers Commission. After WW2 he qualified as a Doctor and Practised Medicine till his decease.
FLORA NWAKUCHE (NWAPA)
She born in 1931 at Oguta and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree From the University College, Ibadan in 1957. After a career in education at the Ministry of education Calabar and Queens School, Enugu, she made history by becoming the first Nigerian woman to Publish a novel in English- “Efuru” in 1966 She made history once more by her appointment as a Commissioner in East Central State in 1970. She passed away in 1993
CHINYERE ASIKA
• Born at Owerri, to famous educationist Nathaniel Ejiogu. She attended Queens College Lagos and was admitted to Mills College, California in 1959- all on a full scholarship. The first African woman to obtain a Post-graduate degree in Information Technology and Library Science -from UCLA(as well as the first to play drums In a rock band!!) • One of the spokesperson’s for the Black Power Movement- she was interviewed on American network television in 1962 .She and her husband – Ukpabi Asika, spent time embedded with the ANC liberation fighters. • She founded Otu Olu Obodo, in the old ECS. The largest non-Governmental Women’s co-operative in Nigerian history (1 Million+ women) and was the first person to hold a Woman focused appointment in Government- 1983. • She was until recently the Director-General of NEPAD
RICHARD IHETU
Born at Amaigbo, in 1929. After early life on his fathers farm he worked as A trader, before starting a local Boxing career. As his career progressed he moved to the UK and then to the US, where he eventually made history in 1962, by winning the World Middleweight tile, Beating American Gene Fullmer. He became the first Igbo man to win a World Boxing title. He defended his title successfully in the first World Title fight to be held in Nigeria at Ibadan in 1963. He famously declared his support for Biafra during the Civil War. He died in 1970 of Liver Cancer.
MADAM FELICIA AYALOGU
• Felicia Ayalogu studied Law at the University of London and was called To the Bar in 1961. This distinction made her the first Igbo woman, to qualify As a Lawyer. • She returned to Nigeria and commenced Legal practice, setting up her iconic Firm, after a period of Pupillage. • She was the second Igbo woman to own and drive a car- the first being Janet Agwuegbo (Nee Iwenofu) of Obosi.
JOSEPHINE TOLEFE
• Josephine Tolefe was born in 1931 at Ogwashi-Uku in present day Delta State • She studied Nursing and after qualification, she was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, on 7 February 1961 becoming the first woman to be commissioned into the Nigerian Army. • On 1 June 1963, she was promoted to the rank of Captain- equally the first Nigerian woman to achieve this. • She left the Nigerian Army in 1967, as a result of the political crises of 1966-1967.
CHIEF MERCY ENELI
Born at Obosi in 1915, she got married to Pharmacist Frank Eneli in 1937. She started a career as a trader in the 1930’s, selling general goods, until The advent of Nigeria Breweries in 1949, when she then specialised in Beverages. She slowly grew to become one of NBL’s biggest distributors and Shareholders. This relationship was rewarded in 1975, when she was appointed to the Board of NBL, as a Non-Executive Director- the first Nigerian woman to be appointed to The Board of a listed company. She passed away in 1994 and has a street named after her in Lagos.
STELLA NSOLO (UGBODE)
Born in 1932, and from Ilah, after her secondary school education, she was Admitted to study Architecture at the Birmingham School of Architecture. She qualified as an Architect in 1960, becoming the first Nigerian female Architect. She practised for several years as Government Architect- Chief Architect Of the Midwest State till her retirement
PROFESSOR ALEXANDER ANIMALU
A Physicist, he attended St Thomas School Oba, Dennis Memorial Grammar School, The University CollegeIbadan, Cambridge University, getting a PhD in Physics. He Taught at Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania and MIT. He returned to Nigeria in 1976, becoming a Professor of Physics at UNN. He formulated a theory of High Temperature Super-conductivity, based on the novelty of pairing mechanism- which was called “Animalu’s Isosuperconductivity”) This led to his nomination for the Nobel Prize for Physics, three times. He was also honoured with the Nigerian National Merit Award, amongst others for his work.
JUSTICE VICTORIA ONEJEME
Justice Victoria Onejeme was called to the Bar in 1965 and in 1976, achieved the Distinction of becoming the first Nigerian and indeed the first Igbo female Attorney-General, in the old Anambra State, subsequently transferring to the Bench as a Judge of the FCT High Court. Justice Roseline Ukeje, also made history by becoming the first Nigerian and Igbo woman to be appointed the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in 2001
CHINYERE KALU
Born in Lagos, she attended the Anglican Girl School and enrolled In the National College of Aviation Technology Zaria in 1978. She qualified as a Private and Commercial Pilot in 1981, becoming the first Nigerian woman to achieve this feat. She was also the first woman ti suit as Rector of the Nigerian Civil Aviation And Training School Zaria- till recently.
“THE FOUR CHI’S”- CONTEMPORARY RENAISSANCE PERSONS CHI-CHI NWANOKU CHINWE CHUKWUOGO-ROY CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE CHIWETEL EJIOFOR
Chi-chi Nwanoku was born in London of Igbo (Eziama) and Irish parents. Her prodigious musical talent discovered early and she was eventually admitted into the Royal Academy of Music, to study Classical Bass. She graduated with distinction and Progressed a career, that saw her rise to break several glass ceilings and is today Rated as one of the world’s greatest Classical Bassists. She was awarded an MBE By the Queen and is a Professor at the Royal Academy of Music. Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, was born in Ondo, with parents from Awka. She moved to the UK In 1975 and has practised as a Painter since 1988. Her works have been exhibited all over the world and she was commissioned for a portrait of the Queen. She was awarded an MBE by the Queen in 2009, for her work. Chimamanda Adichie was born at Nsukka to parents from Abba in Anambra State. She obtained Degrees from Drexel, Eastern, Jhns Hopkins and Yale Universities, before embarking on a career as a Novelist. Her books “The Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah won her th epresitigious Commonwealth Writers, Orange, National Book Critics Awards amongst others. She also won the Readers Digest Author of the Year Award, International Nonino Prize amongst many others. Whilst clearly a global personalisty, she represents the modern face of a strong tradition of socially conscious, culturally aware and politically articulate writers of Igbo extraction. Chiwetel Ejiofor was born in 1977 to Igbo parents from Enugu State and lived in London. He studied at the London Academy of Drama and Music, from where he got his first big screen role. His career progressed he was to star in numerous films and the culmination of his work being nomination for an Academy award in 2014 for “12 years a Slave”, having won a BAFTA and other awards. He was awarded an OBE by the Queen in 2008.
http://theadvocatengr.com/new/its-time-to-build-on-foundations-laid-by-igbo-leaders-jonathan/

. For observers and admirers who see the enterprising nature of the Igbos, cite great Igbo names like Chief Louis Ojukwu, who, legend has it, was the first Nigerian to own a Rolls Royce in Lagos, and of course his equally unforgettable son, our own Ikemba Chief (Dim) Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu!

8. Let me very quickly say that Chief Louis Ojukwu’s amazing life story will need a special telling on another occasion. We must also celebrate the first Nigerian to own an ocean going crude oil conveying tanker and engage in the crude oil export trade, Sir Onyechere Anyiam Osigwe.

9. My brothers and sisters, there is much more out of Igbo land! In entertainment, the Oriental brothers, the golden Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque, the stallion Lady Onyeka Onwenu, and many others who all donated their amazing voices and talents to an appreciative Nation as we dance in happiness.

10. In literary excellence, Chinua Achebe stands tall, supported by Cyprian Ekwensi, Chris Okigbo, Flora Nwakpa, Chinwezu and in recent times Chimamanda Adichie and many others. The Igbo donated Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, scholar, journalist, nationalist, foremost politician and first President of Nigeria, who in concert with Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Dappa Biriye and others, fought for our independence from Great Britain.

11. The great Zik of Africa’s power of leadership example was so captivating it overwhelmed my paternal grandmother to name me after him. So, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I became at birth Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan.

12. We must not also forget that in the train of politics were great giants like Sam Mbakwe, Akanu Ibiam, Michael Okpara, Jaja Nwachukwu, the first Speaker of the Federal House of Representative, and others who played diligent politics in service to our nation.

13. In sports, one of the most decorated in Nigeria’s football history is Nwankwo Kanu and he is a Nigerian from Igbo land. My brothers and sisters, I could go on and on throughout the remaining days of this convention recounting great Igbo sons and daughters who have shown the way, in various fields and trades and we will not be done.

http://theadvocatengr.com/new/its-time-to-build-on-foundations-laid-by-igbo-leaders-jonathan/

It’s time to build on foundations laid by Igbo leaders – Jonathan

September 10

04:522014

Print This Article Share it With Friends

👤by The Advocate  0 Comments

Text of President Jonathan’s speech at the World Igbo Congress Day in Houston – USA

His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

PROTOCOLS

1. Great, progressive pillars of Igboland, I am indeed very happy to join you today in this unique initiative set aside to celebrate excellence and reaffirm the joint vision for the continuing development of Ndi-Igbo and Nigeria as a whole.

2. As you gather in Houston to re-dream a better Igbo society with a united and greater Nigeria in mind, it is befitting and positively symbolic that the World Igbo Congress of this year is taking place at a time we have just concluded a successful National Conference where your sons and daughters together with other Nigerians gathered to dialogue on ways of moving our country forward.

3. We convened the 2014 Conference to engender unity and to advance our collective development as a people in Nigeria, Africa, and the world.

4. Let me therefore use this opportunity to reiterate my commitment to work in concert with all arms of government and all stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference Report.

5. All through our history, the Igbo have cut a distinguishing niche in all aspects of our national life in the areas of Education, Sports, Politics, Science and Technology, Literary Excellence, Enterprise, Diplomacy, among others.

6. Ndigbo, wherever you have deployed your energy and skills, you have excelled. Many in Nigeria and elsewhere see mainly your talents in Enterprise which clearly stand out, but the Igbo, from our point of view, are much more than that.

7. For observers and admirers who see the enterprising nature of the Igbos, cite great Igbo names like Chief Louis Ojukwu, who, legend has it, was the first Nigerian to own a Rolls Royce in Lagos, and of course his equally unforgettable son, our own Ikemba Chief (Dim) Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu!

14. Very distinguished guests and participants, there is no time more apt than now to reflect on the factors that have put the Igbo on the pathway of achievements. Personally, I believe hard work, excellence, persistence and resilience are at the heart of Igbo success story.

15. I also believe that the time is now to build on the foundations laid by the elders and leaders in Igboland by adopting technology and planning, so as to deliver better planned functional modern cities that would attract the growing population of the Igbo in the diaspora, so that they can come back and settle to a lifestyle commensurate with what they have helped to develop elsewhere.

16. Such planning must integrate and harmonise the industrial and trading activities of entrepreneurs in a way that they become more mutually beneficial and also take advantage of economies of scale and engender a more modern, friendly and comfortable business environment. Such an effort will ease tension and encourage domiciliation of affordable technology and wealth creation. The integration will also attract investors, small and big and from far and near.

17. Distinguished World Igbo Congress attendees, such more modern endeavour will help support the many young men and women who are based in the hinterlands, so that they are not tempted into crime and other anti-social behaviour. For us as a Government, we are responding to hinterland challenges by building several Skill Development Centers across the country, and the South-East is not left out. The young men and women who wish to learn alternative means of livelihood will have an alternative.

18. I believe our advancement in the 21st century will be dependent on how we can mobilize human and material resources most efficiently and in furtherance of our objective. It is in this regard that I want to reaffirm that the Federal Government will support you even as we support other nationalities, so as to meet this great goal, for the benefit of all Nigerians.

19. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in pursuit of productivity and excellence, we have appointed competent and capable men and women to positions of high authority and strategic responsibility in all fields of national endeavour. In our dogged determination to develop our country, the Igbo are well represented and in some of these appointments, the Igbo are having them for the first time.

20. Some have said that this government has done more in appointments than any other in our history for the Igbo, but that is a matter for the pundits and historians. Let me state that appointments by this administration, across the country, will continue to be based on equity, fairness and competence.

21. Even when some utilise politics to undermine our commitment to fairness and justice, we will deploy the Principle of Federal Character to progressively correct it. No part of Nigeria under my leadership will be short changed.

22. Similarly in projects and policies, we have continued to do our best. Throughout the South-East, we inherited federal roads in very poor conditions. In spite of the highly competitive demand and constraints on funding, we have taken on most of the major roads, realising the impact that their improvement will have on business and life in our country.

23. The Owerri-Onitsha Road, which was under construction at the outset of my administration, has been virtually completed. Three other very important roads, the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, the Enugu–Port Harcourt road and the Nguju-Edda-Nporo-Ohafia road which cuts across Ebonyi and Abia States, are steadily progressing. Our hope is that improved budget and Sure-P funding will see quicker action in the months ahead.

24. The Obiziora-Iziagu road and Enugu-Abakaliki road are some of those that have progressed to good standard. Further attention will be focused on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road which is already being addressed remedially by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

25. The Igbo, being a very mobile people, have also benefitted from works in other leading roads nationwide. The Ore-Benin road long known as a death trap has been totally transformed and now provides a safer and more reliable ride. The Lagos-Ibadan road is similarly being reconstructed and the Benin-Lokoja-Abuja road is now being dualised as we are doing in other roads in the far North.

26. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, after many decades of planning, history was made in March this year as the Second Niger Bridge project commenced. It is expected that the contractor will hasten, according to the funding plan, for early completion of a project that will do so much to ease business and movement.

27. The revival and rehabilitation of the Eastern Corridor of the Nigerian Railway, which runs from Port Harcourt via Aba to Enugu and Maiduguri, is almost ready. Very soon, children of Ndi-Igbo will not learn about trains through cartoons and pictures. They will see and hear the “Chaka-chaka, Gbim-gbim” sound, as trains travel through the country side of our Nation.

28. The Onitsha River Port has been completed and we are progressing on the concession agreement for its efficient operation. Other River Ports like the Oguta River Port project is also under focus.

29. In the aviation sector, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport has started living up to its name, taking travellers from all over the world and vice versa, direct into the Igbo hinterland. Efforts are now on to expand the airline flight traffic in order to address the high demand, and a new befitting International Airport Terminal, under construction.

30. My belief is that the sons and daughters of Ndi-Igbo must arrive safely in Igboland without connecting flights, if they so wish. The Sam Mbakwe Airport, like others across our country, is receiving repositioning.

31. In agriculture, we have, in association with the Ebonyi State Government and private farmers in the area, begun a renewed revolution in rice production. Today, we have 10,000 farmers registered under the Growth Enhancement Scheme, and an integrated chain wide system of improvement, involving enhanced inputs, adaptable technology, milling and marketing strategies. These initiatives are beginning to yield good returns.

32. We are also paying attention to the revival of palm production, for which the South East has always been known. Intense rehabilitation programmes are underway in almost all the South Eastern States, in partnership with oil palm cooperative societies and farmer groups.

33. The scourge of erosion which destroys livelihood, farmland and property is being vigorously addressed by my government. We have had to set up a Presidential Erosion and Flooding Committee to look into this dangerous trend and the report has been accepted.

34. Erosion sites in Umuoza-Ugiri in Isiala-Mbano, Oko, Nkisi, Alo, Nekede, and the Onitsha Main Market Saka Mori/Nwangene floodplain and several other sites across the entire South-East States are being attended to.

35. We have also done our part in encouraging enterprise and industry in Igboland. One of the flagships of our new National Automotive Policy and best examples of local industry is the Innosons Auto Company in Nnewi. We support Innosons and will continue to support him. By supporting Innosons and all others who are dedicated to creating jobs and wealth, through the practical and profitable development of local technology, we are advancing our overall development as a people.

36. We have established and delivered a New Federal University in Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, bringing the state at par with others in the country in the number of Federal Universities. We have also upgraded, in categorisation and certification, as well as in infrastructure, various other educational institutions across the South East.

37. We have taken a number of steps to put in place an effective security infrastructure across the South-East and in other zones around our country. The rehabilitation and commissioning of the Ohafia Army Barracks is one of such examples. Not too long ago, the insecurity in Abia led to many people leaving the state. I can confidently report to Ndi-Igbo that we have reversed the situation.

38. This is just a brief overview of what we are doing in the South East and we will continue to do the best we can within available resources, without denying other parts of the country their due.

39. As President, I will ensure justice to all Nigerians in my daily exercise of powers allotted to me by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

40. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are approaching election season, and it is a time for honest reassessment and reappraisal. I urge you all to take great interest, wherever you live, in the quality and pedigree of people you give your mandate.

41. By all accounts and as attested by compatriots and the international community, we have recorded emphatic success in the consolidation of the democratic culture in Nigeria. We were hopeful that this good augury will serve as impetus for greater political stability and development regardless of the evil visitation and arrival of a full blown terrorist insurgency into the shores of our beautiful country.

42. In this wise, we have done a lot to improve the electoral process and imbue confidence in the people and in the system. We hope that the peaceful expression of the will of the people which has been laid down in recent elections will continue to prevail in all others to come.

43. So what should be the position of the Igbo in today’s fast moving world? What is most desired for progress and for rapid development? I would say, on my own part, that the greatest asset required of the Igbo today to move this great community to its rightful place in the country and in the scheme of things is Unity. Unity above partisan politics, Unity against internal division, Unity against external hostility, but more fundamentally, Unity in planning and in development as well as in the reawakening of the positive Igbo cultural resources. You have so much to offer our country and our government will encourage you to do so.

44. I am delighted to note that this programme is also being used to honour distinguished Igbo sons and daughters as well as friends of the Igbo and Africa. This type of honour engenders partnership and fraternity and is also a catalyst to further development. The Igbo must continue building bridges across our country and our continent because it is in the interest of Nigeria and Africa to do so.

45. I congratulate those being honoured today, as well as those who, though not receiving honours, are effectively playing their part in the upliftment of Igboland, Nigeria and West Africa by their untiring efforts.

46. At the last Presidential elections in 2011, Nigerians, in large numbers, reposed their confidence in me by the emphatic and overwhelming victory they bestowed on us. I appreciate the utmost goodwill and affection of all Nigerians towards me and my administration and I hope this goodwill will continue to wax stronger in the months ahead.

47. It has been proposed several times in the recent past (and I believe it is among the recommendations of the national conference) that Nigerians in diaspora be constitutionally enabled to vote in their countries of residence. This is a cause I am committed to support and champion with all the wherewithal of my office; and I am fairly certain that working together we can bring this to reality. Your vote for whoever you want must not be denied.

48. I urge you all to keep up your support for our administration, I assure you that at all times, I will remain a brother to all, and a partner in progress, for the advancement of the community and our great country, Nigeria.

49. I cannot end this address without saying a word or two about this conference. I am impressed by the organisation and participation at this event, and I commend and congratulate the organisers, who have contributed worthwhile time and resources to its success.

50. Societies are founded on strong institutions of competence and integrity, and it is my earnest hope that the World Igbo Congress will guard jealously its strong position as a rallying point and trusted bastion of the community.

51. On behalf of my family, the Government and the good people of Nigeria, I wish you a most rewarding and fruitful congress, dedicated to the peace and progress of the Igbo and our great country, Nigeria.