RE: On Zik Project: Re ON RESTORATION OF ZIK MEMORIAM..
Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCPDCID)
“””The Governor who owns the state,……………….[others] who
make changes in Anambra ..all these great wise groups have not been
contacted...
but... Some one is discussing with Aluko on how to place a PLAQUE in ZIKS
MAUSOLEUM ?..!””Unquote Vincent Modebelu
I wish Vince Modebelu is listening to himself and realize how contradictory and unreasonable his statements are on this issue. It is a FACT, that the above listed leaders are alive and presiding over the disintegration and crumbling of Zik’s statues and historical relics; at the same time, Vince believes lovers of Zik and Zik’s legacies who are planning a restoration with whatever funds they can pool from pledges have to consult with the inept (do nothing) leaders first before they can plan what to do. That is truly INSANE! It is one thing to say that these leaders can be contacted with the plans being made before or to enhance execution of the restoration blueprints; it is another thing altogether to say the leaders have to be contacted even before the plan are made; Vince can even tell us to contact the leaders first before we make our pledges. That is UNREASONBLE!
After all said and done, as Bimbola Adelakun eloquently said: “Can you look beyond the ethnicity of these two and see the higher cause? Zik, from what I know and what you guys have brandished in our faces here, is Zik of Africa. The man and all matters relating to him should transcend Igbos. I see so much of 'Zik, our Igbo Zik' attitude here and I don't think it is fair to either the man or Nigeria to reduce him to an Igbo phenomenon. The bigger shame would have been if donations for a Zik project had been called and only Igbos responded. If he is Zik of Africa, then anybody from Africa should be able to take up a project for him and donate towards same. It's Zik of Africa and it doesnt matter if the project is take up by a Yoruba, Egyptian or even Cameroonians (who, on this fora, love to poke their noses in Nigerian affairs so much).
“””………………..It is a shame that that statue could be like that and the governor has not bothered to repair it. In fact, there should be a proper museum for somebody of Zik's stature for obvious purposes. If it had been a white man that wants to do this, would you have felt better about it? If we decide to write to the government to fix the statue like some people have suggested, you will stay as long as the Palm trees at Badagry. They are busy trying to win elections and they don't care about legacies. If you tell folks at home to fix it, they will probably say: when the head of the living is not yet in place, why worry about that of the dead? If it can be done by Nigerians in Diaspora, by all means let it be done. Forget about anybody's attitude as they donate to the fund. Even when we give offering for a project in a church, do we all do it for the love of God? Don't people sometimes use it to show off or just to assuage their evil conscience? At the end of the day, does it matter as long as the church is built? If a politician decides to take up the project, not because he believes in Zik, but to get some cheap political credit, will you stop him? Can you even stop him? For me, the statue is its present state is not just the business of Igbos, it concerns all of us. Imagine people coming from another African country to see the fathers of Nigerian Independence and seeing it the way it is. Will they say it is an Igbo shame? Will they not abuse all Nigerians jointly? Think about that. This shibbolethism attitude is the reason the Tower of Babel was never completed in the first place. Let this work, abeg. I salute you!””””””
The above mindset is what drives the pledges and other likely bigger future outcomes of this exercise; it is not the petty parochial ethnicism most of you see in everything Nigerian; Yes, Zik was Ndiigbo; but Zik was GREATER than an Ethnic man or leader; Zik was a national founder, an African Hero and a World Statesman! That was the TRUE Zik! You should not Belittle Him; the World Owns Zik and His Legacies. Take care. Joe Igietseme
From:
NI...@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NI...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of vincent
modebelu
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 8:41 AM
To: All Nigerians in Diaspora
Subject: NIDOA | On Zik Project: Re ON RESTORATION OF ZIK MEMORIAM..
|
....... I have discussed with Dr. Aluko and others and we are
considering having a plaque with all the names of the donors mounted at the
mausoleum as an added incentive...............Uzoma
Azuoma, Sent to you by AT&T... America's Fastest Mobile Broadband Network. Rethink Possible! From: Azuoma Anugom <adaeji...@aol.com> Sender: IgboWor...@yahoogroups.com Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:09:35 -0400 To: <NIgerianW...@yahoogroups.com>; <NaijaP...@yahoogroups.com>; <igbo_...@yahoogroups.com>; <worldigb...@yahoogroups.com>; <NI...@yahoogroups.com>; <IgboE...@yahoogroups.com>; <ORA...@yahoogroups.com>; <igbowor...@yahoogroups.com>; <WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com> ReplyTo: IgboWor...@yahoogroups.com Subject: [IgboWorldForum] On Zik Project: Re ON RESTORATION OF ZIK MEMORIAM..
Dr. Ola KIassim et al, You spoke well. I am not sure what the hullabaloo is all about. If everybody will recall, Mazi Odera posted the picture of Dr. Aluko at the feet of the headless statue of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, which shocked many of us. Shocked because we deem it a sacrilege that the statue was allowed to be in such a state without being promptly restored by the government or whoever is in charge. I expressed concerns about this, to which Mazi Enyimba urged me to start a lawsuit. I indicated that instead of a lawsuit, we could do better---thereupon I offered to spearhead the facilitation of the restoration of the statue if Nigerians in Diaspora are willing to contribute/donate towards this project. Everybody read my post but Dr. Aluko took me up on that challenge and immediately pledged $100, followed by Dr. Val Ojo. Dr. Aluko kept the fire going by updating us every morning about the pledges we have received on the project so far. We later discovered that even as at July 22, 2010 or thereabout, one of us on a trip to Nigeria visited the Zik mausoleum only to discover amongst others, that the grave of Dr. Azikiwe is overgrown with weeds and the mausoleum uncompleted and abandoned.
While it is obvious that Nigerians have risen to this challenge as we can see from the pledges pouring in, it appears some have chosen to read negative meanings into this worthy project. This project should be a nationwide project regardless of tribe or creed. It is open to everybody. This project is not about Dr. Bolaji Aluko. It is not about Azuoma Anugom. It is not about Igbo or Yoruba or Hausa or any other tribe. This is about giving honor to whom honor is due. Nigeria is about to celebrate its 50th independence anniversary and yet it has neglected those who fought for the independence. Let's us not lose sight of that. Let's us not view this project from the prism of tribalism. Let’s us be more open minded and see how we can pull this through. As I indicated earlier, this committee is open to all Nigerians--- all Africans and anybody out there who shares the same vision. It doesn’t matter if Dr. Aluko is the one announcing the updates daily. If anybody out there is interested in keeping tab of the pledges please feel free to do so. The more the merrier, so long as we have a common goal and a shared vision!!!
Btw, we are mindful of the fact that this is a capital intensive project. The money we realized will determine how far we go. So please be generous. We will soon announce the mailing address for the donations after we have put all the necessary mechanism in place. Note that we have not absolved the government of its primary responsibilities of completing and maintaining this monument which it started. However, we are doing our bits as patriotic citizens of Nigeria to encourage the government or whoever is in charge to complete this mausoleum and restore the decapitated statue (that is, assuming it has not been restored). Above all, we recognize and appreciate the contributions of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to our country.
Finally,
we have formed a committee to steer this project. Some people have indicated
interest in joining. We are hereby calling upon everybody who shares the
vision of maintaining the legacy of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to join. I have discussed
with Dr. Aluko and others and we are considering having a plaque with all the
names of the donors mounted at the mausoleum as an added incentive. We’ll see how this
goes. We have formed an e-group for members of this committee (Zikproject
Committee) Please join this e-group so that we can deliberate on how to make
this project successful. Here is the link to the e-group:. http://groups.google.com/group/zikproject.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Azuoma Anugom
-----Original Message-----
Dr Olabode:
-----Original Message-----
Dear Compatriots, To: Anambr...@yahoogroups.com; asa...@yahoogroups.com;
IgboE...@yahoogroups.com;
igbo_...@yahoogroups.com;
WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com;
NaijaP...@yahoogroups.com “In the ordinary realm, Bolaji Aluko one would not mind sharing with some drinks as some of you may have done and got hoodwinked. But in the realm of Nigerian politics and national issues, Bolaji Aluko relates and sees the collective Igbo from a zero sum game trajectory. He believes that Igbo gains in the zero sum game of Nigerian politics and national issues are Yoruba losses and whatever the Yoruba gains are Igbo losses. Lest that be, project and portray the Igbo collective and their leaders in jaundiced perspective. And as far as some of us that are aware of his Igbo cants are concerned, we will doubt his motives even when apparently well meant. I am sure you have heard about being wary of the Greek bearing gifts. After all, the Trojan horse as gift was a ploy designed to distract and destroy. By the way, Zik in life and death is a national Icon, granted. But charity begins at home. Therefore, where are Anambra State government in particular and the other Igbo States in the restoration and maintenance of Zik’s historical artifacts, such as the one time damaged statue and the unkempt burial grounds? What about his sons? Did his first son Chukwuma not succeed him as the Owelle-Asowa-Anya of Onitsha? What about his second wife Dr. Uche Azikiwe and his two younger sons, Mazi Molokwu and Mazi Uwakwe from Dr. Uche Azikiwe, based in Abuja who from all accounts are very successful business men? Besides, would the Zik’s Annual Lecture Series not be a good avenue to bring to the attention of governments any oversight responsibility failure on Zik’s pantheon bearings?” - KC Prince Asagwara
Prince KC, Your experience with Bolaji’s antecedents is obviously shared by many. I, however, laud your levelheadedness in marshaling your points without recourse to uncouth language which, of course, is specifically reserved for lesser beings to whom you definitely don’t belong. I am also aware of the timeline when the headless Zik statue at the DMGS Roundabout was taken by Bolaji. I addressed that matter, to the best of my ability, in my initial comment on the subject matter. Let’s, for the sake of argument, agree that Bolaji;s original motive for posing with damaged statue of the Great Zik was to deride the sage’s kinsmen which, of course, include you and I. Years later, the same Bolaji has now made a 180-degree turn and has committed his time, sweat and money to accord deserved respect to our national hero by mobilizing resources to devote toward his commemoration. Which Bolaji would you then prefer to have in our midst; the 2006 version or the current one? That is the core question as far as I am concerned. You can rightly accuse Bolaji of flip-flopping by changing his mind, but folks like me are instead elated to witness such a transformative change in one of our own. In real life, rational minds must know when change for the better is more desirable than to persist on a wrong path to nowhere just for the sake of appearing to be consistent and unshakable. I grant that Prof. Aluko identified a unique opportunity to change course and opted to grab it. Isn’t this what life should be all about? Your remark that charity should begin at home, as far as restoration of Zik’s posthumous national image is concerned, is infallible. Where are all these characters that you listed? Perhaps, they are engaged with the endless rat race for which Nigerians are famous; they must be busy doing nothing, it seems. As fate would have it, the impact of Zik’s life-long accomplishments transcends his nuclear or extended family, hometown of origin or even his state, Anambra. There is a lot of blame to pass around. But when all is said and done, we should swallow hard and simply move on to work for a brighter and better tomorrow. Again, thanks for your reasoned comments. . Okenwa.
From: NaijaO...@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NaijaO...@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Asagwara, Ken (EDU-ECY)
Folks/Dr. Okenwa Nwosu: It is amazing how some of you Igbo continue to misread Bolaji Aluko and his Igbo cants. For your information, the Bolaji Aluko photo in front of headless Zik’s statue in question was taken some time in mid 2006 when he had his cyber wars with one Olisa Osita, a fan of Zik who was rubbishing Aluko Senior in the forums. Mazi Odera who has a knack for archiving exchanges in the forums can attest to that. The Bolaji Aluko photo was a kind of retaliatory act to shut up Olisa Osita and he Bolaji has made derogatory statements against the Great Zik in the past. The resurfacing of the damaged statue of Zik this time around was through Mazi Odera to remind readers about Bolaji’s antecedents. Suddenly, Bolaji shows interest in championing the restoration of Zik’s damaged statue. You don’t say! You see, anyone with analytical mind should first demand that Bolaji Aluko who has apparent knack in affronting the Igbo to explain this: “Zik just does not appear to be a priority in that neighborhood.” Bolaji Aluko As I already said, Awo’s statue was vindictively destroyed twice in the past two years, one in Lagos and the other in Ibadan. Why didn’t Bolaji Aluko comment derisively to his Yoruba folks and the larger Nigeria in the manner that he did about Ndi Igbo and Zik? Further, can it be said that Bolaji Aluko loves the Great Zik and the Igbo more than Awo and his Yoruba folks to champion the restoration of Zik’s statue, an Igbo Icon? Listen, when it concerns issues outside Bolaji Aluko’s Yoruba ethnic nation, he is dubious and folks like me do read and decipher his true intent to his annoyance. In the ordinary realm, Bolaji Aluko one would not mind sharing with some drinks as some of you may have done and got hoodwinked. But in the realm of Nigerian politics and national issues, Bolaji Aluko relates and sees the collective Igbo from a zero sum game trajectory. He believes that Igbo gains in the zero sum game of Nigerian politics and national issues are Yoruba losses and whatever the Yoruba gains are Igbo losses. Lest that be, project and portray the Igbo collective and their leaders in jaundiced perspective. And as far as some of us that are aware of his Igbo cants are concerned, we will doubt his motives even when apparently well meant. I am sure you have heard about being wary of the Greek bearing gifts. After all, the Trojan horse as gift was a ploy designed to distract and destroy. By the way, Zik in life and death is a national Icon, granted. But charity begins at home. Therefore, where are Anambra State government in particular and the other Igbo States in the restoration and maintenance of Zik’s historical artifacts, such as the one time damaged statue and the unkempt burial grounds? What about his sons? Did his first son Chukwuma not succeed him as the Owelle-Asowa-Anya of Onitsha? What about his second wife Dr. Uche Azikiwe and his two younger sons, Mazi Molokwu and Mazi Uwakwe from Dr. Uche Azikiwe, based in Abuja who from all accounts are very successful business men? Besides, would the Zik’s Annual Lecture Series not be a good avenue to bring to the attention of governments any oversight responsibility failure on Zik’s pantheon bearings? It Shall Be Well with Ala Igbo, the odds not minding. KC Prince Asagwara – Nwafor Igbo and proud of his Igbo Heritage
From: asa...@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:asa...@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
Umuibe, Let me first thank Prof. Bolaji Aluko for documenting the unsavory image of the Great Zik, without a head, during his chance trip to Anambra state. It is hard for me to believe that Bolaji planned to travel to Nigeria, away from his fulltime job in the US, in order to visit Onitsha to pose with the decapitated statue of the premier Nigerian freedom fighter and first president of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha. Possibly, millions of people, both Nigerians and foreigners, must have seen the headless Zik statue long before Bolaji happened to pass through Anambra state during one of his home trips to Nigeria. He is yet to fully expatiate his reasons for striking a pose with our defaced national hero. If I may hazard a guess, I would say that Zik’s aura can never wane or diminish, with or without a head. The Great Zik, as a legend in annals of Nigerian history, has etched the image of himself deep in the consciousness of the average Nigerian and fellow citizens, irrespective of their ethnocultural background or partisan affiliation, ought to have the right to identify with our preeminent national hero as they deem appropriate. I believe that posing next to Zik statue, irrespective of its physical condition, is a solemn mark of respect for our great national leader. Before we become diverted and zoom off on the tangen, let’s first ask why the Great Zik’s headless statue should, at all, be left exposed over extended period before making the necessary amends to rectify the situation. I bet you that no one, at the local, state or federal level of the Nigeria Government, kept any maintenance schedule to assure the upkeep of our national monuments, including those of our founding fathers and national heroes. Total absence of maintenance culture fortifies the hand of degradation and decay over everything made by man. If there was a routine maintenance check, the crack in the statue would have been detected and repaired long before the head broke off completely. To mitigate inevitable fallout of displaying a headless statue of the Great Zik, someone at the city, local council, state or national level of leadership should have seen to it that the defaced image of our national hero was covered up immediately until properly restored. It is an act of sacrilege in the US to have a headless image of President George Washington displayed anywhere in the country. It would also be unthinkable that anyone would display a headless replica of Mao Tse Tung on Chinese soil and survive long enough to tell about it. I believe that Bolaji was and is still deeply touched by what he saw hence his decision to lead an international initiative specifically honed in on restoration of Zik memorials, both the unmaintained and unfinished ones. This is a unique response to a national issue which ought to be commended, not disdained. For the newcomers to the Nigerian online discourse, it may be necessary for me to rehash the many spirited debates that I have had with Professor Bolaji Aluko, especially in the late 1990s. We finally reached a détente after wrestling each other over many controversial national issues like the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference, revenue sharing, state control of police and the necessity for creation of a Nigerian Eastern Economic Corridor etc. When battle fatigue started to get the upper hand, we actually agreed to seek avenues of collaboration rather than persist in perpetual confrontation in a haggle which no side can win outright and completely. We found our individual reasons to collaborate, on and off, since 1999 on a variety of issues of mutual interest or concern. Bolaji’s quest to show leadership in an endeavor to restore the memorials of the Great Zik does not only get my commendation, but I am totally in support of this patently altruistic gesture from a compatriot. I shall contribute an initial installment of $250 toward Bolaji’s ongoing fundraising effort. I consider this as an authentic national endeavor which ought to be supported by many partakers in these forums and elsewhere. Rather than stay on the sideline and impugn Bolaji’s ulterior motive for this undertaking, we should instead hold him accountable on fulfilling and delivering on his public promise. Bolaji could possibly be bad in many eyes, but that was in the past. What I behold today is a Bolaji who is on a spirited mission to do right by his fellow citizens, including those with whom he had been at daggers drawn in the past. I perceive this as a positive transformative change which each and every one of us ought to be given the chance to experience. I am with Bolaji on this one. Substantive change can be brought about through opportunities like this. Let’s not be play stoppers unless we have a more creative alternative to offer in handling the situation at hand. Okenwa.
From: NaijaO...@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NaijaO...@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCPDCID)
Prince KC Asagwara/Simon CM Iberosi, Regardless of how we mold this issue, we have to stick with the substance, that if Zik’s statue is in bad shape, it is an embarrassment for ALL OF US; so whether we sense some insinuations or whatever in people’s statements, we MUST MATURELY subordinate them to the substantive issue….that is, our love and high regard for Zik and the need to restore his statues and memory if they are fading or failing; Zik was (is) a Great Man that we cannot forget; we cannot throw away a Fine Living/Breathing Baby with what we see as soiled bath water. We have to take the higher grounds and focus on what is important on this issue. Take care. JUI
From: NI...@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:NI...@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Simon C. McBernard Iberosi
Prince, From: "Asagwara, Ken (EDU-ECY)" <Ken.As...@gov.mb.ca> Sender: NaijaO...@yahoogroups.com Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:24:06 -0500 To: Mobolaji ALUKO<alu...@gmail.com>; idowu<idow...@yahoo.com> ReplyTo: NaijaO...@yahoogroups.com Cc: <OlaKa...@aol.com>; <val...@md.metrocast.net>; <NI...@yahoogroups.com>; <NIgerianW...@yahoogroups.com>; <NaijaO...@yahoogroups.com>; NaijaPolitics e-Group<NaijaP...@yahoogroups.com>; USAAfrica Dialogue<USAAfric...@googlegroups.com>; OmoOdua<Omo...@yahoogroups.com> Subject: [NaijaObserver] RE: On Pledges for Restoration of Zik's Head and Mausoleum in Onitsha
Bolaji Aluko: Some times you fail to understand that your utterances do impugn your motives even when well meant. “Zik just does not appear to be a priority in that neighborhood.” Bolaji Aluko What is the above supposed to mean? Can you say the same about Awo whose statue was destroyed twice in the past two years, one in Lagos and the other in Ibadan? Would it be right for an Igbo or another Nigerian to opine in his case as you did in that of Zik? You see, as the Igbo would say it, Bolaji, Ina Eche Na Mmadu Bu Ewu. You must think that your sleight way of dishing out insults escapes all your readers. Man, you are wrong. When it concerns issues outside your Yoruba ethnic nation, you are dubious and folks like me do read and decipher your true intent to your chagrin, I must add. Have a good evening my friend. Mazi KC Prince Asagwara
From: Mobolaji ALUKO [mailto:alu...@gmail.com]
Joe I.: No problem, Joe! All is cool....I understand your point and you understand mine too now! We should just be aware of disinformation - Asagwara is an "information disturber" on this matter! :-) Moving on.... So let's go on with the business of raising funds for the Zik Head and Mausoleum Restoration Project ("Zik 2010 Project") whose total scope is still evolving. [I have asked for pictures of the present state of affairs around the statue and Mausoleum.] By the way, you will be surprised that at the next update, the total might top $2,000 - third day! Best wishes. Bolaji Aluko
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Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCPDCID)
Vince Modebelu,
Check out the following action and reaction in Nigeria:
1.When the Feds refused to provide electricity; however, people are buying generators;
2. Since the Govt did not provide jobs directly through stimulating the private sector, people are doing whatever job they can lay claim hands on to survive, including oil bunkering, street businesses, robberies and kidnapping;
3. The Govt refused to provide pipe-borne water in any City in Nigeria; people are busy digging bore-holes all over the place;
4. The Govt is not maintaining or upgrading the Educational Institution but people are establishing schools all over the place, irrespective of the quality issues we may have with some of them.
5. And the list goes on how Nigerian Govt has reneged or failed in its responsibility and how people have responded in their own ways.
Similarly, as Govt has neglected the “The burial places and burial grounds of all Nigeria Presidents [which] are FEDERAL PROPERTIES”, people are trying to do whatever they can, specifically the present Restoration initiative for Zik’s Statue at Onitsha. People realize that there are problems out there, such as roads, airports, transportation, water, schools, hospitals dilapidated monuments and historical relics and many other things that are not done or neglected by Govt all over Nigeria; where or whenever any person or group of people can do something about any of these eye-sores (even to sweep a premises), we should not prevent them by READING UNSAVORY MEANINGS to their actions. What is IMPORTANT is that SOMETHING IS DONE or stimulated to be done. Ka chifo! Take care. JUI
From: vincent modebelu
[mailto:vin_mo...@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 6:29 PM
To: NaijaO...@yahoogroups.com; igboe...@yahoogroups.com;
NIgerianW...@yahoogroups.com; ABI...@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [NaijaObserver] On Zik Project: Re ON RESTORATION OF ZIK
MEMORIAM..
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.......It is a FACT, that the above listed leaders are alive
and presiding over the disintegration and crumbling of Zik?s statues
and historical relics; at the same time, Vince
believes lovers of Zik and Zik?s legacies who are planning a
restoration with whatever funds they can pool from pledges have to
consult with the inept (do nothing) leaders first before they can plan
what to do. That is truly INSANE!..........Joe
Igle |
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From: O.M.O.
<ogo...@yahoo.com> Chief Germ,
And maazi Nnanna's view-- a man who's immediate family has left Abia state in nuclear ruins would be an appropriate mouth piece on restoring Zik's Legacy? Of course, why not, only in Nigeria.
Ogonna.
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