The topic was deleted for no reason, but I will recreate the clean version.

Today, Ibadan, Lagos, Ogun and even Osun all have masterplans to develop their land. Why don't Ibos have the same plan? Why do they rely on FG to come up with a plan to develop the SE?


Enugu

How Ndigbo underdeveloped Igboland

In our discussion last Sunday, I made the point, which was almost distorted by editorial pusillanimity, that ideally, in order to render justice to Ndigbo Nigerian leaders who participated in genocide against them during the civil war should be prosecuted at the International Court of Justice. But I also argued that given the very low level of political maturity and moral consciousness in the country presently, that would never happen.

Now, the major motivation for the two-part series entitled “Ndigbo and the burden of history” is to draw attention to how members of the ruling elite dominated by Northerners had, especially from 1966 to 1999, contributed to the underdevelopment of Igboland. The civil war provided haters of Ndigbo within Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet and the Nigerian army to execute their genocidal intentions against Igbo people. And even afterwards, the same misanthropes insisted on maximum punishment for the former Eastern region. Accordingly, the Gowon administration adopted a banking policy that nullified any bank account operated during the war by the Biafrans. Each Igbo depositor of the Nigerian currency could only access a flat sum of twenty pounds, irrespective of the deposit. In addition, the military government promulgated the Enterprises Promotion Decree of 1974, or Indigenisation Decree, ostensibly to compel foreign holders of majority shares of companies operating in Nigeria to hand over a larger percentage of stocks, bonds and shares to indigenous Nigerian business interests. But the real targets of that decree were the war-weary Biafrans already impoverished by the conflict, the wicked banking policy mentioned earlier, and ban on importation of second-hand clothes (okirika) and stockfish. Of course, the Igbo in general did not have the financial wherewithal to benefit from the Indigenisation Decree.

Moreover, most of the jobs and positions in virtually all the sectors of the economy previously occupied by Easterners were taken over by those from other parts of the country. In my opinion, scars of the civil war and its aftermath are still visible in Igboland. For instance, as I have stated severally in this column, of the six geopolitical zones in the country, theSouth East has the least number of developmental projects from the federal government. It is very likely that marginalisation of Igboland would continue under President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, because his party, the All Progressives Congress, is dominated by political shylocks who would want to exact revenge from the South East for voting massively for former President Goodluck Jonathan.

It is patently false to lay all the blame for the underdevelopment of Igboland on Igbophobic Nigerians from other ethnic groups. The desperate situation there has been worsened by the blizzard of incompetent leadership in different Igbo speaking states. Specifically, with very few exceptions, top political office holders in the states that comprise the defunct Eastern Region have been grossly incompetent, selfish and corrupt. From the administration of Ukpabi Asika to the present governments of the five South Eastern states, financial rascality, nepotism, indiscipline, corruption, and petty jealousies and visionlessness have remained leitmotifs in Igboland. Governors, commissioners, top civil servants, highly placed judicial officers, traditional rulers and members of the clergy have sacrificed core values of truthfulness, hard work, honesty, integrity, regard for good name, humility and brotherly love embedded in Igbo culture in the pursuit of power and wealth.


How many governors in Igboland, both past and present, can give satisfactory account of how they spent the monies that accrued to their respective states during their tenure? Why is it that governors, federal and state legislators and other top political office holders become stupendously rich after leaving office? In large parts of Igboland, the roads, health facilities, educational institutions, etc have deteriorated despite the revenue accruing to both the states and local governments. People of Imo still remember with nostalgia late Chief Sam Mbakwe for his laudable achievements in the old Imo state, which should have been emulated and improved upon by governors that came afterwards. It is deplorable that many prominent Igbo sons and daughters who could have deployed their influence to attract developmental projects from the federal government to their respective states merely use their positions to enrich themselves.


Another cause for concern is absurd and pernicious discrimination within each South Eastern state and between the five states as well. For example, in the civil service and educational institutions up to the university level, people from different parts of the same state discriminate and fight among themselves. Sometimes, an application for employment or promotion is rejected because the person is from Imo state rather than Enugu state, and vice versa. Former governor of Abia state, Theodore Orji, committed a very serious blunder when he sacked employees from other Igbo speaking states in a misguided attempt to ameliorate the unemployment problem there. Although he later reversed the decision, his irrational action demonstrates that sometimes Ndigbo are their own worst enemies. The Igbo not only fight themselves in Igboland; some of them for selfish reasons exhibit excessive competitiveness in other parts of the federation.

In the North and South West, there are incidents of unhealthy rivalry between Igbo individuals and groups, each trying to outdo one another using Machiavellian tactics, generating unnecessary animosity in the process. Certainly, within reasonable limits, ambitiousness and competitiveness are psychological triggers for self-discovery, self-actualisation, and societal progress. But in the long run, it is better for Ndigbo wherever they might be to work together in solidarity for the benefit of one another. It is betrayal of the highest order that prominent sons and daughters of Igboland create socio-cultural and political associations purportedly to promote collective Igbo interests, whereas the real intent is to use such bodies for getting favours from government. Some of them even collect mobilisation fees from government without executing the contracts meant for their states. More than anything else, there is urgent need for moral and ideological reorientation in Igboland.

Well-placed Ndigbo should see themselves as role models for the young ones to emulate. Right now, the lifestyles of many Igbo VIPs tend to promote excessive preoccupation with primitive accumulation and hollow ostentation. Now, the average Nigerian generally believes that Ndigbo love money too much, more than members of other ethnic groups. There is a pernicious cliché that if a purportedly dead Igbomanfails to rise up at the clanging of coins near his ears then he is truly dead. The fact of the matter is that different people have different levels of pecuniary attachment, irrespective of their ethnic origins. The Hausa-Fulani, the Yoruba, the Nupe, the Isokoand so on want to be as financially comfortable as much as the Igbo. Remember, Ndigbo, because of hardships of the war and the need to survive extremely daunting post-war challenges, had to struggle harder than other Nigerians just to survive. Even before the civil, their gregarious can-do-it attitude compelled them to leave their homeland in search of livelihood nationwide.

And because jealous Igbophobic Nigerians unnecessarily concerned by the relative successes of Ndigbo in their midst, misinterpreted the single-minded determination of the latter by creating the myth of excessive money mindedness referred to earlier. I submit that Igbo political office holders who steal funds meant for the development of Igboland are a complete disgrace and should be treated as enemies of the people. For Ndigbo to occupy their rightful place as primus inter pares within the Nigerian federation, they must begin to live according to the moral principles encapsulated in the concept of ezigbo aha kariri ego(good name is superior to money). Prominent Igbo indigenes, wherever they might be, must set aside their ephemeral egoistic interests and work for the good of Igboland as a whole.

The bolded is the usual tactic Ibos use to deflect blames from themselves to others.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/how-ndigbo-underdeveloped-igboland/

Yes. That's why they should copy aregbesola who can't pay salary and wasted one year allocation on drum.
Maybe they should copy fayose the kpomo cutter or ajimobi who don't know what urban renewal is.
Use ur leadership and go and change the rusting brown roofs in Ibadan.

Amarabae:
Yes. That's why they should copy aregbesola who can't pay salary and wasted one year allocation on drum.
Maybe they should copy fayose the kpomo cutter or ajimobi who don't know what urban renewal is.

Please don't deflect your disability unto others. Thanks.
Create a thread for Fayose, Ipob's messiah, if you want.

Ibadan, which is 27 times the size of Enugu state, is more developed and has more corporate infrastructures than all 5 SE states put together.
Ask me for facts.

Amarabae:
Yes. That's why they should copy aregbesola who can't pay salary and wasted one year allocation on drum.
Maybe they should copy fayose the kpomo cutter or ajimobi who don't know what urban renewal is.

Brutality.

For instance, as I have stated severally in this column, of the six geopolitical zones in the country, the South East has the least number of developmental projects from the federal government.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/how-ndigbo-underdeveloped-igboland/

weh weh

The clowns on NL claim that the SW is the least developed. Another lie busted

It is patently false to lay all the blame for the underdevelopment of Igboland on Igbophobic Nigerians from other ethnic groups. The desperate situation there has been worsened by the blizzard of incompetent leadership in different Igbo speaking states.
Specifically, with very few exceptions, top political office holders in the states that comprise the defunct Eastern Region have been grossly incompetent, selfish and corrupt.

Ibo leaders neglect their duty to develop iboland because there is no demand of responsibility from the people because at the end of the day, Ibos will end up blaming Yorubas, FG and Fulanis for their retrogression.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/how-ndigbo-underdeveloped-igboland/

kn23h:


Please don't deflect your disability unto others. Thanks.
Create a thread for Fayose, Ipob's messiah, if you want.

thats what we are saying.
Use your leadership and do something about Idps in osun.
Leave Igbos alone.

From the administration of Ukpabi Asika to the present governments of the five South Eastern states, financial rascality, nepotism, indiscipline, corruption, and petty jealousies and visionlessness have remained leitmotifs in Igboland.

Governors, commissioners, top civil servants, highly placed judicial officers, traditional rulers and members of the clergy have sacrificed core values of truthfulness, hard work, honesty, integrity, regard for good name, humility and brotherly love embedded in Igbo culture in the pursuit of power and wealth.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/how-ndigbo-underdeveloped-igboland/

Amarabae:
thats what we are saying.
Use your leadership and gdo something about Idps in osun.

IDP in Ebonyi
http://sundiatapost.com/2017/08/15/ebonyi-govt-distributes-relief-items-worth-n19m-to-idp/

My question to igbo people

How many governors in Igboland, both past and present, can give satisfactory account of how they spent the monies that accrued to their respective states during their tenure?

Why is it that governors, federal and state legislators and other top political office holders become stupendously rich after leaving office?
In large parts of Igboland, the roads, health facilities, educational institutions, etc have deteriorated despite the revenue accruing to both the states and local governments.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/how-ndigbo-underdeveloped-igboland/

Was wondering why the 1st thread was deleted…. Anyways, quoted somebody who said

Above all,Every region has it no-mans-land except SE.

Truth…. Pure truth

kn23h:
The topic was deleted for no reason, but I will recreate the clean version.

Today, Ibadan, Lagos, Ogun and even Osun all have masterplans to develop their land. Why don't Ibos have the same plan? Why do they rely on FG to come up with a plan to develop the SE?

I think the problem with most of you kids is that what you know of south east is limited to what you read on nairaland. Who told you that the south east leaders are not developing their zone. Rather they have developmental programs that has been running far longer than you know. And what you don't know is that the development in the south east are not govt centred but private sector driven too. Most of the infrastructure you will see in the east are not in anyway from the govt talkless of the Federal govt. Even down to the town unions in various cities tax themselves to fund capital projects such as boreholes, transformers, road grading, culverts etc. And when they are blessed with illustrous sons, you see them delve into more projects.
I think you all should stop this bereft nonsense you post on NL that lacks depth and knowledge

People of Imo still remember with nostalgia late Chief Sam Mbakwe for his laudable achievements in the old Imo state, which should have been emulated and improved upon by governors that came afterwards. It is deplorable that many prominent Igbo sons and daughters who could have deployed their influence to attract developmental projects from the federal government to their respective states merely use their positions to enrich themselves.

Instead of blaming Yorubas and FG, Ibos should ask their leaders why they aren't attracting development project from FG. Yoruba leaders are still fighting for the Lagos-Ibadan rail project. You think say na beans?

Lazy mofos.

eyeview:

I think the problem with most of you kids is that what you know of south east is limited to what you read on nairaland. Who told you that the south east leaders are not developing their zone. Rather they have developmental programs that has been running far longer than you know. And what you don't know is that the development in the south east are not govt centred but private sector driven too. Most of the infrastructure you will see in the east are not in anyway from the govt talkless of the Federal govt. Even down to the town unions in various cities tax themselves to fund capital projects such as boreholes, transformers, road grading, culverts etc. And when they are blessed with illustrous sons, you see them delve into more projects.
I think you all should stop this bereft nonsense you post on NL that lacks depth and knowledge

I didn't write the article. The article was written by an Ibo son, so cry to him.

Tax is essential for development. That's something many of you clowns don't know. I give it to Okorocha or who was it that tried to implement the tax infrastructure in your region. You people want good roads but you don't want to pay for it.

In addition, do you think the SW is limited to what you see on NL? Hypocrisy.

Answer the question or keep it moving.

Sanchez01:

Not like the thread concerns me but the truth is that South East leaders don't have developmental plans, save for Umahi and Ebonyi state.

I used to think Obiano had plans for Anambra but the man fancy propaganda beyond true developments.

Abia state is a write-off despite walking the path of an economic state.

Enugu state governor had just one mandate; maintain the good deeds of Sullivan Chime, but no, he towed the path of neglect and would rather organise fasting and prayer alongside every Phyno concert at the Stadium. Refuse dump centres are fast showing up in strategic areas in the only two developed local governments in the state and no one is saying a thing.

Just recently, a sink hole surfaced at New Haven junction and forces all vehicles into using just a route. Rotary club fixed the road with all diligence while 'Gburugburu' came all out after two weeks to 'commission' the road!

Imo... Well, I don't need to say a thing about that one.

I don't know how else to best describe a people so fortunate to have been blessed with the kind of governors they have now.

In plain English language, the South East has no developmental blue print. Umahi might have one but I sure as hell believe no other South Eastern governor has one.

kn23h:


I didn't write the article. The article was written by an Ibo son, so cry to him.

Tax is essential for development. That's something many of you clowns don't know. I give it to Okorocha or who was it that tried to implement the tax infrastructure in your region. You people want good roads but you don't want to pay for it.

In addition, do you think the SW is limited to what you see on NL? Hypocrisy.

Answer the question or keep it moving.

A patriot you are

Another cause for concern is absurd and pernicious discrimination within each South Eastern state and between the five states as well.

For example, in the civil service and educational institutions up to the university level, people from different parts of the same state discriminate and fight among themselves. Sometimes, an application for employment or promotion is rejected because the person is from Imo state rather than Enugu state, and vice versa.

That's why most Ibos don't want Biafra. An Enugu man can never govern Imo. Unlike Lagos where an Ondo man is currently the governor.

sarrki:

A patriot you are

Sarrki abeg don't agree with me. The current admin is as much of a failure as GEJ's admin.

Former governor of Abia state, Theodore Orji, committed a very serious blunder when he sacked employees from other Igbo speaking states in a misguided attempt to ameliorate the unemployment problem there. Although he later reversed the decision, his irrational action demonstrates that sometimes Ndigbo are their own worst enemies.

The Igbo not only fight themselves in Igboland; some of them for selfish reasons exhibit excessive competitiveness in other parts of the federation. In the North and South West, there are incidents of unhealthy rivalry between Igbo individuals and groups, each trying to outdo one another using Machiavellian tactics, generating unnecessary animosity in the process.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/how-ndigbo-underdeveloped-igboland/

Bolustical:
The reason is simple.

Yorubas caused it. Yes, I mean Afonjas who forced the Igbos to build in Odua land.

I'm sure they will blame Yorubas at the end of the day.

Now I see why Ironsi cancelled regionalism.. we've been blind all along.

You can imagine what will happen to the region when true federalism comes and FG hands off totally.
Maybe they will sue Yorubas for their problems, we shall see.

It is betrayal of the highest order that prominent sons and daughters of Igboland create socio-cultural and political associations purportedly to promote collective Igbo interests, whereas the real intent is to use such bodies for getting favours from government. Some of them even collect mobilisation fees from government without executing the contracts meant for their states.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/how-ndigbo-underdeveloped-igboland/

I submit that Igbo political office holders who steal funds meant for the development of Igboland are a complete disgrace and should be treated as enemies of the people. For Ndigbo to occupy their rightful place as primus inter pares within the Nigerian federation, they must begin to live according to the moral principles encapsulated in the concept of ezigbo aha kariri ego(good name is superior to money). Prominent Igbo indigenes, wherever they might be, must set aside their ephemeral egoistic interests and work for the good of Igboland as a whole.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/how-ndigbo-underdeveloped-igboland/

Alariiwo:
Now I see why Ironsi cancelled regionalism.. we've been blind all along.

You can imagine what will happen to the region when true federalism comes and FG hands off totally.
Maybe they will sue Yorubas for their problems, we shall see.

Federalism can't work in Iboland. That will be the death of Ibo unity.

Remember that hating Yorubas and Northerners brought Ibos a sense of unity. Without the outliers, they only have themselves to hate.

Amarabae:
thats what we are saying.
Use your leadership and do something about Idps in osun.
Leave Igbos alone.

Igbos should be left alone but sick Igbo like yourself should be allowed freehand to drip hokums on Nigeria and every other tribe in it ba ?

Nigerians are very happy that for the first time they can beat their chest for having dragged the Igbo to their level. But they forget that the Igbo will continue to migrate to Kano, Lagos, etc and wrestle opportunities with other Nigerians in the streets where quota system is non existent. Where it is more about your capacity and ethics than anything else. In the next ten years Nigerians will look back and again see how futile it is to repress and oppress the Igbo. Just like the unprecedented recovery in the seventies and eighties when they were expected to be down and out after the civil war.

jomonic:
Nigerians are very happy that for the first time they can beat their chest for having dragged the Igbo to their level. But they forget that the Igbo will continue to migrate to Kano, Lagos, etc and wrestle opportunities with other Nigerians in the streets where quota system is non existent.

You're going offtopic, but thanks for not making a point.

Igbo land gradually becoming a desert

ENUGU—In a bid to shore-up the dwindling business investments in the south-east geopolitical zone, the Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF,has held its maiden business conference of Igbo leaders with a vow to adopt strategies that would influence the socio-economic,political and cultural growth of the people.

Participants at the occasion Tagged,’Rebuilding and Development of Igbo Nation: Think Home, Invest Home!’ The conference which witnessed an array of Igbo leaders resolved to reposition the region to restore its development strides that had been distorted since the end of the Nigeria-Biafra war in 1970. The ADF also, resolved to rekindle interest in Igbo values,culture,language,lore and literature among others with a view to ensuring the Igbo takes its pride of place in the country.Setting the tone of the conference,the Royal Father of the day and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, appealed to Igbo business community to drive investment into the land as the region is gradually becoming an infrastructural desert. “We are gradually becoming a desert of sort following the dwindling socio-infrastrutural deficit.

Countries like United States of America, USA, China and India shut their doors to developed countries inorder to develop themselves. Today they are world powers. “We must put every machinery in place to drive increased investment in Igbo land,” the Royal Father said. In his welcome address, the ADF President, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala said,”south-east was devastated by war since the last century, neglected as a punitive measure,abandoned because of denied infrastructure, infested by unemployment, poverty and the resultant crime wave. “Our neighbours now mock us. Ironically we have developed other lands and ignored our own. If only we invest 40 percent of our investment in just other parts of Nigeria, Igbo land would be the economic heart of Africa. We are determined to rebuild and develop the Igbo nation.

A rebirth and advancement that will uplift her spirit, culture and civilization. “Igboland can be rebuilt through massive depolyment of human and natural resources that are abundant in Igboland. The philosophy of self-help and self-reliance must be awakened in the heart and mind of every Igbo man, woman and child. Our spirit and culture of hard work must be awakened… “As one of our own, Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani,once wrote, ‘until a more positive mechanism emerges on a federal level, the Igbo must learn to fend for themselves at least from an economic and social standpoint just as they are currently doing but on a more highly coordinated level rather than individualistic approach.’ “It is conceivable that with tremendous amount of talent and connection of all Igbo abroad working in unism with those at home in, Nigeria, the heartland of Igbo may be converted into economies like Taiwan and Hong Kong among other,” he added.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/igbo-land-gradually-becoming-a-desert/

Go and develop Osun,ibadan and the rest and tell the people to change their brown roofs and live in good houses not living in slum and shanties.