Emeka Aginam
The Chairman of Igbo World Assembly (IWA),  Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze has said that South East presidency is critical thing every Igbo and Nigerians should support unconditionally in 2015 for a true democratic Nigeria.

IWA President in a statement noted that it was time Ndi Igbo  reclaim their place in history, adding that to achieve this, Igbo community at home and diaspora must speak with one voice.

According to him, Igbo has no king syndrome was the biggest obstacle facing Igbo extraction. “This has led some of our leaders and high powered sons and daughters to actually battle for power against each other rather than unite to fight for  a common goal with one voice and push to create an Igbo nation that not only thrives but flourishes whilst providing  life’s basics necessity for the ethnic group.

“We support the renewed dialogue between Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo and other groups particularly in the SS zone. We need to work together on matters of common interest, on how to reinforce the friendship and brotherliness between the SS zone and Igbo nation. The SS and the Igbo Nation have been neighbors and brothers for thousands of years, and the present generation must continue to fuel that flame of friendship that existed in the past.

“We are concerned that our language and culture is dying slowly.  We have millions of young Ndi Igbo born in foreign land that cannot speak Igbo and only slightly understands our culture. If this is not quickly reversed, our status will continue to evaporate as already predicted by some experts.

“We should think of how to bring our foreign born Ndi Igbo home periodically so that appropriate cultural values and education can be effectively taught to them through our Igbo based Universities.

“We are asking the Federal Government to start considering the idea of convening a national conference which will offer the various units of the country an opportunity to discuss solution to the fragile unity of Nigeria and the terms of living together.  Nigerian unity can only be based on fairness, justice and equity of each of the federating units.

“We have heard of speculations and suggestions that Ndiigbo should wait to occupy the Presidency in 2019 or 2023. Why must we wait until 2019 or 2023? It is detrimental to Ndiigbo to depend on promises by those who have a knack for continuously shifting the goal post.  Ndiigbo must be ready to win the Presidency in 2015 rather than wait to be handed the exalted position by those that always use Ndiigbo as a pawn in a chess game” he noted.

In the area of infrastructural development, he advocated that the federal government to ope rationalize the Akanu Ibiam Airport, having been upgraded to international standard. Upgrading the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport and conducting much needed repairs from Enugu to Port Harcourt Road, Onitsha to Enugu Road, among others, he said are paramount paramount to infrastructural growth and development of our people.

Accordingly, the IWA Chairman said that the group was advocating for immediate construction of the second Niger Bridge and intervention in the 2000 active erosion sites in the Igboland especailly Oko- Ekwolobia nd Nanka Erosion menace and building of coal-fired plant and the reactivation of coal mines at Enugu.

“We will be remised if we overlook the exploration of crude oil and gas deposits in states like Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu. That crude oil in these states is being kept as national strategic reserves which have impacted negatively on the economy and financial profile of these states” he added.

According to Anakwnze, IWA condemns in strongest term, the unprovoked killings and destruction of property and the ultimatum given to Christians and southerners to leave the northern parts of Nigeria, adding that the behavior  runs contrary to the spirit and the content of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We have watched closely the disturbingly and the security of lives, properties and civil liberty of our people are constantly violated in our country Nigeria. The uncaring and unnecessary waste of  human lives and destruction of properties by Boko Haram sect in Nigeria is a troubling warning that something needs to be done or Nigeria will disintegrate.

While acknowleding challenges faced by the pfresnet government, he urged security outfits, army, police, SSS and other intelligence services to commence immediate action to eradicating social problems otherwise the simple basic human rights to pursuit of basic necessities of life will be eroded. “Eradication of the Boko Haram  acts in  Nigeria towards Ndiigbo, Christians, and the Minority Northern Citizens should and must be a priority of the Federal government and the Nigerian Security outfits.

“We further believe that zoning policy should rotate amongst the six geo-political zones, the marginalized zones of South-South, South-East and a few other zones that have not tasted the presidency yet, should move to the front of the line for their opportunity to participate in the leadership process.

“It is therefore our contention therefore, that when Jonathan finishes his tenure, every zone should have provided Nigeria with a president for at least five years, except the South East. In light of that, we are further contending that since every zone has had the Nigerian Presidency, except the South East, that there is no reason for the South Easterner not to vie for Nigerian Presidency in 2015” he added.

SE Presidency, according to him will show that Igbo extraction belong in the scheme of things and will provide a sense of belonging with our fellow Nigerians.