Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has urged Ndigbo to rise to the
challenges that militate against their course to the nationa.
Okorocha who described Ndigbo as a gifted tribe to a troubled nation
at the 2012 Ahiajoku lecture held at Ahiajoku convention Centre
Owerri, said, Ndigbis are naturally endowed to submantle the factors
militating against their dreams and aspiration with their God-given
potentials.
According to governor Okorocha who posited that Ndigbo are not in
disunity, however urged them put up a collective efforts needed for
their advancement.
Governor Okorocha added that the essence of Ahiajoku lecture which started many years ago, is aimed at reflecting on matters that concern
the nation, Igbos in relationship with their tradition, culture, norms
and values.
He said that the 2012 Ahiajoku lecture titled “Okezue Ogbuu Alaa”
stressed the need for Igbos to assume their proper place of pride in
the nation.
He drew biblical illusion from the popular message of Angel Gabriel to
Holy Mary, the mother of God which affirmed that “Igbos are full of
grace and the Lord is with them” and further urged them to be
courageous in advancing their course.
In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion and the former governor
of Anambra state, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife applauded Imo state
government for its efforts towards the preservation of Ahiajoku
lecture since its inception in 1979, adding that it has been an
exclusive forum that converges south easterners to chat on the way
forward.
Ezeife commended governor Okorocha’s Free Education project in the
state, pointing out that it would go a long way to stabilize peace and
unity in the state and enjoined the people to reconcile and make peace
with one another.
Delivering the 2012 Ahiajoku lecture proper on a topic titled “Okezue
Equity and Justice in Igbo jurisprudence and the Nigerian Polity” A
Professor of Law in Imo State University, Prof. Uba Frank Nnabue said
democracy can only be meaningful when it secures people’s rights, in
the affairs of the nation.
Professor Nnabue condemned the inequitable distribution of wealth, and
imbalance done in the state creation, pointing out that Igbos are not
getting their due share in the scheme of things.
According to Nnabue “a sharing formula does not become just simply
because it is based on law, if such law is obnoxious, repugnant to
natural Justices, equity and good conscience, or if such law is a
product of nepotism, discrimination and devoid of acceptable reason or
if such law is unjust, in this situation though the judgment has been
given, it is not equitable”, he said.
He decried of the spate of leaders playing politics at the detriment
of the people they represent, adding that time is up for people to
elect credible leaders who possess the requisite integrity to ensure
free and fair election.
He also added, “…if one knows that rigging will not earn him/her
anything but a possibility of going to jail, there will be free and
fair election, that will bring out best as governors, the best
governors will appoint the best as commissioners and board members and
these will produce equitable formula for distribution and enthrone
development in the state, stooges and sycophants cannot tell the
governor the truth they are bereft of ideas and cannot perform.”
The highlight of the occasion which was well attended by dignitaries
across the nation was the introduction of 2013 Ahiajoku lecturer,
Professor Mrs. Ochendu Nzewuihe who would deliver on to topic “Nwanyi
Sokwa” the role of women in Science and Technology.
