By Kenneth Ehigiator
New Jersey(US)—The World Igbo Congress, WIC, has risen from its summit in New Jersey, U.S.A, with a resolution not to endorse any presidential candidate for the 2011 elections until the preponderance of Igbo agree on the modalities for such endorsement.

It also resolved to adopt the proposal presented by Ike Agbor on the application of VoIP on tracking and apprehension of kidnappers in Igbo land, noting there could be no meaningful development without security.
In a communique issued at the end of the summit, the WIC said the Igbo must, in consonance with the position of the South Eastern Consultative Forum, articulate its needs in a consensus manner for use in bargaining.

Consequently, the summit set up a committee to articulate Igbo needs from the Nigerian polity, especially against the backdrop of the 2011 presidential elections.

On the state of security in the Sout-East, the summit resolved to work with Igbo state governments to nip kidnapping in the bud.

The WIC said further in the communique signed by its Secretary, Chief C.Y Nwaguru: “We face the greatest challenge to the existence and stability of World Igbo Congress, the socio-economic emancipation of Igbo land and position of the Igbo in the Nigerian polity; which crises have deepened in recent decades, and which all Igbo must join together to resolve.

“We start from the belief that World Igbo Congress is one and that prosperity of the Igbo hinges on a collective will. We also start on the belief that a bold and unified plan for rebirth must have at its heart the need for joint action between the Igbo at home and those in the Diaspora.

“We believe that the only sure foundation for sustainable restoration and renaissance for all is an aggressive pursuit of peace, economic development and international friendships.

“We have today, therefore, pledged to do whatever is necessary to restore World Igbo Congress to the standards set by the original framers and more; move for mass mobilization involving all stake holders in the Igbo nation, especially through the establishment of a satellite radio; synergistically, with the Igbo states governments, strengthen economic development, education, health, agriculture and industry throughout Igbo land; promote equity and fair play in the Nigerian polity by the pursuit of egalitarianism in ascendancy of an Igbo to the presidency.

“We resolve to establish Igbo Renaissance Fund as a means of empowerment of all collective Igbo projects. By acting together to fulfill these pledges we will bring World Igbo Congress out of its present crisis and promote emancipation of the Igbo worldwide.

“We resolved and empowered a committee headed by Hon Mike Ahamba (SAN) to take every step necessary to ensure that WIC is restored to purpose for which it was originally set up.

“The committee members who are committed to this process but who were unavoidably absent due to last-minute developments are Dr. Acho Emeruwa of the 100 Igbo People, Atty. Ken Okorie, Dr. Ifeanyi Okpalobi, Dr. Ben Okwumabua of Anioma Association, Mrs. Chi Ezekwueche, Chief Enyi Kanu, Chief Emeka Igba, Dr. Godfrey Achilihu and Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, President of ASA-USA and a prominent leader of Igbo World Assembly and the Council of Igbo States Associations. The team has 3 months to complete its job.

“We are resolved to ensure long-term mobilization of Ndi Igbo starting from the level of the grassroots through the establishment of a satellite radio station in the US for the purpose of disseminating Igbocentric information to targeted audience throughout the world.

“The proposal submitted by Dr. Chii Akporji of the World Bank Group on “Harnessing ICTs for Development: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities” is at the heart of this resolution. The summit resolved to pursue the establishment of a satellite radio on the basis of this proposal.

“We will conduct all our economic development efforts in concert with Igbo states governments and all concerned Igbo organizations and professionals at home and in the Diaspora. To this end, the summit resolved to adopt the proposal presented by Ike Agbor on the application of VoIP on tracking and apprehension of kidnappers in Igbo land. We believe that there could never be any meaningful development in an atmosphere of insecurity and we resolved to work with Igbo States governments to actualize this objective.

“The summit resolved to adopt a massive awareness campaign along with the coordination of medical missions and connecting international institutions such as the WHO to promote the health needs of Igbo land.

This resolution derived from the proposal of the WIC Health Committee headed by Dr. Jonathan Nwiloh. The proposal was presented by Dr. Nkechi Mbanefo-Azie.

“The summit resolved to restore the agreement from the Economic summit of 2009 for the establishment of a heavy equipment spare parts industry in Igbo land to feed agriculture and industry. The resolution followed a presentation by the chair of the WIC Technical Oversight and Review Committee, Prof. Landon Onyebueke

“The summit agreed to establish a global 30,000,000 USD WIC Igbo Renaissance Fund (IRF) to which all Igbo should necessarily make a minimum one-time contribution. It was agreed that the fund would provide the seed money for the execution of Igbo projects and emergencies.

“This will promote heavy worldwide Igbo investment in banking aimed at empowering global pursuit of Igbo interests.

“The summit was mandated to set up a committee to work towards the formal launching of the fund. Prior to the launching, the committee will present the structure, the management and accountability of the funds for approval.”