By Emeka Mamah

Former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, says that the birth of Osisioma Foundation was not only a blessing but the vehicle needed by Ndigbo to re-establish themselves globally in commerce and education.

*Peter Obi

Obi said that the foundation served as a tool for the economic and political emancipation of Ndigbo, and enjoined the entire Igbo to support its cause.

Addressing over 3000 participants at the 2016 re-union of members of the Osisioma Foundation in Awka the former governor described the concept of Osisioma Foundation as unique and similar to those in the United States of America and other developed societies.

“I want to tell you that I am amazed with the crowd here, the huge attendance has signified that God has already blessed the mission and vision of Osisioma Foundation and its founder, Dr. Chike Obidigbo. Several foundations, I know were established for political reasons, but the main objectives of Osisioma from the documents available here, are to empower people, liberate our people from poverty and improve the society as well as open up the Anambra economy,” he said.

He praised God for giving Anambra State a person of Dr. Chike Obidigbo, who he described as a rare gem in administration, commerce and industry.

According to him, the founder of Osisioma Foundation has been involved in the manufacturing of several products and paying thousands of workers’ salaries, adding that he was the best candidate to govern Anambra State in the next dispensation.

Obi, however, re-assured the Willy Obiano administration of his support, adding that “Obiano’s success is my priority now even as we plan ahead.”

Declaring the event open, the founder of the foundation, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, stated that one of the mission statements of the organization, was to build an ideal society where peace and harmony, health and happiness of every citizen would be guaranteed.

Obidigbo, explained that the foundation was also committed to the economic, social and political development of Anambra State and Ndigbo in particular, and vowed to stand firm against exclusivity in policy formulation and implementation, because according to him, “they represent modern forms of discrimination that feeds discontent, acrimony and violence. It is our belief that until everyone and every segment of the society is given a true sense of belonging and is captured in the scheme of things, the entrenchment of self-interest and bitter struggles for political power would continue, especially within our immediate environment, Anambra state,” he further remarked.

Drawing his inspiration from biblical injunctions, Obidigbo said, “perhaps the old testament prophet, Habakkuk had us in mind, when he declared that the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak, and not lie: though, it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, It will not tarry. The just shall live by his faith.”

In her paper, titled “post war trauma-a time to heal, the voice of a curious Igbo woman in the Diaspora”, a Nigerian star in America, Miss Nkem Nwankpa, said that after leaving Nigeria as a teenager 18 years back, she began to romanticize the idea of returning to Africa, her sweet home.

Nwankpa, from Iwolo, Enugu State, however, observed that whenever she returned to her country, she always left with disappointment of the challenges of basic living, such as lack of running water, environmental waste, irregular power supply, bribery and corruption, the fear of armed robbers and kidnappers.

According to her, post traumatic stress disorder was a psychiatric disorder that could occur following the experience or witnessing of military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood.

Also, presenting his paper entitled “towards the economic, social political emancipation of the Igbo nation”, a former Commissioner for Information in  Ebonyi State, Chief Abia Onyike, expressed joy that despite the absence of any secondary school within the Igbo nation by 1900, the people have remained a force in Nigeria’s education industry.

Papers were also presented by Chairman, Osisoma Foundation, Dr. Nnanna Egwu, Chief Emeka Nwike, Chief Gilead Okolonkwo, Miss Felicity Okolo, a youth development expert, among others.