₦airaland Forum

Brothers you all did great. From our Eze, and PointB, our most adept organizer, to the last contributor - I say a very big thanks to all. Let us all (those who contributed and those who watched and read from the sidelines) remember that we were there when ENYI was founded and join hands to make it great. Lets be proud that we're part of a movement thats set to learn from the good and bad of the old in a bid to shape the new. Brothers, I'm humbled by your maturity and wisdom, I've always known 0000 to 1970 was not our last shining era.

Umunna m, anyi ahula ochichiri kariri ochichiri, ihe anyi no n'oge ya ugbua bu ihe. Ekperem bu ka onye obula jiko aka onu ka anyi nweta ihe n'alaigbo.

namfav read what I wrote on a similar thread, https://www.nairaland.com/859188/fulani-nomads-soldiers-kill-four/2#10093601, the piece below is what I wrote.

The reason for me bringing this up is for Fualnis to know they'll get wasted in the end if they continue on this part and others (Nigerians) to understand this problem is more than recurring and requires urgent solution.

[quote author=Sam_Ikenna]My brother I dont completely subscribe to your opinion above. This problem is in Nigeria, yes, but it bears similarity with what is happening in our sister nation, Ghana, so we cant completely ignore it and think we can run to UN to get results. I'm not saying we should start killing and maiming cattle herders like they do sometimes in Ghana ok, I'm all for finding the best way to deal with the problem considering that our population growth isn't showing any signs of backing down.

Govt should help them, especially their state govt, but still Fulanis must and should help themselves. There is nothing like not changing your way of life, people learn new things everyday, we are here using computer because we have learned to adapt and manipulate nature for our own good so why cant Fulanis find alternative and best ways to still practice what they love best. You will agree with me that cattle ranching is better than what is currently happening unless Fulanis love to loose their cattles and people too, then I wish them luck.

Another way I look at it is that eventhough souls have been lost already, there is a great economic opening here for any business-minded state Govt in the north to tap into it. What Fulanis have in the areas of catle biz is awesome and no other group in Nigeria comes close and that, my friend, is good advantage. Cattle biz is what I have looked at before and wondered why Fulanis dont want to take it to the next level. They have a natural monopoly yet they dont want to dominate it in a mechanized way. Anyway, sorry for digressing a bit. I think Fulanis have to adapt or there may not be fulanis in Nigeria in future. Mayans didnt adapt and their culture today is history, there is no shame in adapting for survival.[/quote]

namfav: 1. who is attacked every week? do you think people (herdsmen) just wake up and start attacking, the story here suggests that a herdsmen was killed, cows killed which may have enraged are people, any sane man will defend himself in that situation, but the media will only blame one side
2. at the end of the day we are talking about livelihoods, a businessman wants to survive, a herdsman is also trying to survive the legal way, if anyone is complaining that his land is being destroyed you find fences, herdsmen never pass through any place which is fenced, blame your own community, for provoking and not for being considerate

Good lord! The bolded is your lowest. I hate to see or hear that a life is snuffed out, and as an individual with blood flowing in my veins I think all our actions should be geared towards finding a lasting solution to the recurring bloodshed. To that end I say - Sir, your utterances are not in that direction. It seems you like to heap blames on others rather than being a bit objective. Show me anywhere in the civilized world where people fence their lands becuase of cattle rearing, you want Nigerians to bend over backwards for Fulani but would not want Fulani to do the same for their fellow country men. You want all lands in Nigeria to be fenced just to protect cattles and their herders, really? Do you know how much that is? Tell me which is cheaper - to fence all lands or to put all cattles in ranches?

It appears you're either indirectly pushing the herders to their graves (given the guaranteed face-off with farmers) or you're hoping the herders are strong enough to eventually commandeer all of Nigeria. Either way, the only outcome that'll see light at the end of the day is that Fulanis 'll lose everything including their lives - and that 'll be tragedy brought on a human race (Fulani) by some stubborn and implacable enablers - God forbid that you'll be one of those enablers. I wrote sometime ago that Fulani elders should take stock of both now and future, otherwise they'll wake up one day and see no Fulani in Nigeria.

Fighting farmers (poor farmers) in every section of this nation is a recipe for monumental catastrophe. Stop waiting for Nigeria to fix it and stop blaming others for not fencing their lands, if you think all lands (farmers lands) are "fair game" then land owners (farmers) are expected to think your cattles are equally that.

However, to my brothers in the south I have this to say - cattle rearing is a huge part of Nigerian economy that provides the much needed employment for millions of Nigerians both in the north and south, and its on this note that I call the south and Middle belt to find a way to help Fulanis keep this cattles coming. We need to let them know we enjoy and benefit from their activity and for that we'll help them establish a grazing zone (kind of ranch zone), however, its their job to first take the initiative and we'll join hands with them in good faith.

I suggest we consider adopting one year as a full term for the office of our Eze with 4 terms as the constitutional limit for re-election. And for handover process, I think one of our brothers previously wrote that we elect a new Eze two months before the end of outgoing Eze's term - for continuity and smooth transfer of responsibilities, I believe its important that we choose that model.

For dissolution of ENYI, maybe we should let the imeobi decide that in council meetings, not everything should be out in the open for now. And for articles 7 and 9, I second Onlytruth's prayer to have them deliberated on in the council.

PointB: Conference members, ladies and gentlemen,
Below is the excerpt of what we have done so far (with little fleshing). Kindly review and comment before we move on to the next stage.
My apologies for the delay.

Thank you.


4.0 Article 4: Memberships, Responsibility Termination of Membership

The movement seeks primarily to effect positive developmental changes in Eastern Nigeria, through grassroots mobilization. Consequently, the membership of the movement shall be drawn with prejudice to this objective.

Memberships of this organization shall be grouped into:

4.0.1 Online Membership

Online members refer to members of the online community ENYI has a presence.

i. Online membership shall be opened to all who are able to contribute to a deliberation or vote, to the extent allowed by the technology of choice.

ii. Subject to the recognition accorded an online member, his/her opinions/suggestions may count or be discounted

iii. An online member nomination during electioneering process shall be subject to the rules stipulated by the electoral commission/organizers, subject to the constitution.

iv. Online members may also double also as offline members

4.0.2 Offline Membership

To drive ENYI’s vision, aims and objective, a massive offline movement shall be initiated. The offline ENYI membership shall be stratified into the following

i. Founding Membership: This shall include the first Eze and his council. The Founding members will have voting privileges and their votes will be weighted equally to that of votes from individual members. The first Eze shall have a right to his natural vote in addition to a swing/deciding vote entitlement/privilege; however, he cannot use such vote to bring any voting process to a tie/stalemate.

ii. Individual Membership – Individuals membership shall be drawn from the nationalities that make up Eastern Nigeria, Anioma, and other Igbo communities. Individual members shall have voting privileges, and shall abide by every other aspect of the constitution.

iii. Affiliate Membership - Affiliate Membership shall be opened to all friends/allies of ENYI and its cause. They will include non-Easterners, who are invited or convey interest in ENYI, as well as other Easterners, such as students, members of other organizations, or those who can't or do not wish to make payments yet. The Affiliate Member will not be required to pay fees or voting privileges as an affiliate.

4.0.3 Responsibility of Members

Members are encouraged to imbibe ENYI ideals including but not limited to:

i. Actively canvassing for economic development, and political advance of the Eastern Nigeria, and Igbo speaking areas of Nigeria

ii. Actively and personally engaged in developmental activities in Eastern Nigeria like centering business (SMEs, etc), physical building, etc in Eastern Nigeria

iii. Advocate hard-work, dignity, while eschewing crimes, violence and other misconduct

4.0.4 Termination of Membership

Application/invitation to join the movement shall be ratified by the council within a probation period of three month. An individual shall cease to be a member if:

i. His/her membership is not ratified

ii. The individual becomes deceased

iii. The individual membership is terminated by the council on the basis of action antithetic to the ideals of ANYI

iv. If the individual is terminated after been determined to have fraudulently gained ENYI’s memberships and his /her activities might jeopardize ENYI’s objectives.

v. Membership is terminated for not meeting up with other obligations as spelled out by the constitution

5.0 Article 5: Committees and responsibilities

ENYI shall have standing committees as listed below, and from time to time set-up ad-hoc committees as exigencies may dictate.

i. Networking: This Committee shall be responsible for developing connections to every necessary person, groups, agencies and bodies.

ii. Lobby: This Committee shall be responsible for using the connections raised by the networking committee to mount effective lobbying campaigns.

iii. Politicking: This Committee shall be responsible for using various lobbying strategies to sway the political direction and maturity (grassroots awareness) of the East.

iv. Development Planning: This Committee shall be responsible for formulating development strategies and forming actionable plans for development (physical and economic) for the East

v. Audit Committee: This Committee shall be responsible for reconciling the financial transaction and other financial undertaking of ENYI.

6.0.0 Meetings And Quorum

6.0.1 ENYI shall have separate Annual General Meeting for both the Online and Offline Members toreview her activity. Notice of the AGM shall be sent well in advance of the date of the meeting. In addition to the AGM, the ENYI council, and patrons must meet at least monthly (online or offline) to facilitate the pursuit ENYI aims and objectives.

6.0.3 And emergency cabinet or AGM might also be called by the cabinet as exigency demands

6.0.2 QUOROM

i. Where notice of meeting is sent at least a month before the scheduled date, a quorum of shall be formed when 65% of concerned members are present. This is to prevent dormant members holding the organization hostage.

ii. In case of emergency meeting 51% percent attendance of members shall constitute a quorum

Looks great. It did reflect what we've done so far. This is just a stepping stone, a rough diamond, and we shall keep polishing it to meet the challanges of the day. Good job PointB. Brothers I think we've accomplished our goals and its time for EZE to think of ending the process so as to allow ENYI take off. God bless.

Onlytruth: My brothers and sisters,

@Bro Sam_Ikenna, it is well my brother. Nothing is really chiseled in stone yet. At the end of the day, we shall produce a document that reflect the core vision and mission of this movement. I personally believe that Section 2.2.3 is okay. It is broad and fluid. Don't worry, we shall never elect an Eze that would abuse ANY section of this constitution. I am confident of that.

Let's continue with the next sections as recommended by the moderator.

PointB: Eze, thanks for the clarification.

I would also like to assure our brother Sam_ikenna that the merit in his argument will not be overlooked. As the constitution is still in the drafting stage, such matter can always be revisited to ensure that grey areas are addressed and loopholes plugged. While we don't intend to have an Eze that will abuse the constitution, ensuring a solid constitution could also act as a fail-safe mechanism. So while we trudge ahead in the next section, I want us all to [size=13pt]please note [/size] that what we have done so far is not sacrosanct, and will be subject to the ratification of the cabinet after thorough analysis.

Onlytruth, I know the kind of Eze you're. I believe you wont go down that lane, but no one knows the kind of incoming Eze fate 'll bestow on us thats why we must plug that hole during amendment/ratification.

pointB, point noted.

Umunna, I apologize for "my missing in action." Igbo, ihe ka nte bia kwutere nte n'onu = emergency.

Considering my short absence, I consider it rude to bring back issues that have been painstakinly dealt with. However, the only area I feel we should, at the end of this process, remember to apply our wisdom in disecting in unambiguous terms is Article 2, section 2.2.3: It states, "Aims and Objectives - To make endorsements depending on the political paradigm of the day while retaining our neutrality, non-affiliation and our principle of bringing pressure on misguided political decisions or political office holders." My opinion is that this section is a bit vague, and considering the unpredictable fluid political landscape of Nigeria, ENYI is that last group that would want its body sucked into dangerous partisan politics. My thinking is that in the end we must agree on how much majority/vote we need to say - we support party A on this issue or party B on the other. If we leave this section of the constitution to "common sense" then we're on our way to becoming an appendage of a political party of Eze's choosing. My brothers and sisters, we dont have to go back to this issue now but lets keep it on our minds that we will eventually need to iron it out later (constitutional amendment).

In response to a brother that said we sould move to Igbolandforum, I think its important we have some solid presence there, but should not to rush out of NL immediately considering that we're still online based. For now we'll need all the media exposure we can get, and as we inch forward chances are that we'll likely attract wise heads and like minds from the East who are dying to contribute and reclaim the future.

Before I foreget, its very important we give this group some kind of legitimacy in the eyes of our people by not being "just a group that's offering to bring change and hope" but by being a group that's willing to help out physically at the approriate time (when we move offline). Umunna, we will need to add to our "Aims and Objectives" what we're willing to do in physical terms (eg - financial aid to brilliant students) at the "appointed time." If Igbos consider you legitimate, they'll follow you through thick and thin.

PointB call the process off and tell us what name has the highest vote.

remark D: oh sorry, we moving on already, that's good.
If my vote is gonna count

As the honorable Point /B mentioned, vote!no matter what the outcome of the name will be, lets be united and change our land, people! If its only the Igbos in diaspora that put their heads and resources together, building a manufacturing plant in ala Igbo is possible, mechanized farming is possible on a large scale... there is nothing we can't do, but first, we have to come together. Come one, come all! (all Ndigbo i must add lol).

Brother your vote definitely counts. You see, I was trying to highlight the most interesting lines in your post, need I say I ended up highlighting everything?

Umunna biko lenu emeelu unu. O nwere ihem dere unu.

Our able organizer, PointB, take note of my vote.

Name: ENYI
Motto: "Reclaiming and Seeking for a Brighter Future"

ChinenyeN: Exactly. This is better. Something simple, objective and non-ambiguous. All this effort being put into this thread is not being put in here for the sake of others. So I don't see why there should be even the slightest hint of inclusivity.

There's nothing wrong with subtle inclusiveness while pursuing one's interest. We're still in Nigeria, we're not an island yet.

On Igbo youth Movement, I think there's a group out there with a similar name or something close. Going by Igbo Youth Movement is kind of saying - we're interested in name proliferation, we just want a group for group sake. I dont think thats what we want. The existing Igbo youth_something group I'm talking about is a very political group that occasionally shows up alongside OPC, Asari Dokubo, and, I think its Arewa youth forum to champion SNC on the pages of Nigerian Newspapers.

Our own group shall operate as Igbo group that's interested in championing Igbo cause right in the heart of Igboland. We want to put the feet of our governors and elected officials in a literal crucible. We cant change Abuja but we can change our own, or at the very least, give our own representatives some sort of strength and back-up power to make and stand by their demands in Abuja. Take GEJ for example, all the agreements and promises he made to our people - where are they? Is he not busy sucking up to the North?

If we had an organization that was very credible, vocal, and ready to rumble in the east and in the media, GEJ would have done something by now. Our governors and leaders would have told him point blank - GEJ you're on your own if you let us down. They would have said so because they know anything less than what the agreement says would incure the wrath and smear campaign a group such as ours would engage against them.

I'm sorry brothers for digressing a bit, it happens sometimes.
lets get this thing going.

afam4eva: IYI in igbo means "curse". let's be careful with the kind of name we use so that people don't think it is a secret cult.

I think we should give pointB or Onlytruth the honour of choosing any of the two names(ENYI and ANYI) since we can't seem to reach to a consensus. We can always change the name when we're stabilized as a group.

Thank you brother Afam. Let me put it succinctly, I have no vested interest in the name "Ikemba Youth Initiative," in fact we can make it "Ikemba Nigeria Youth Initiative" if it'll break the tie. Yes, IYI is a curse but it also means river if we're to go by my dialect. However, there is one thing I noticed which is - we all seem to agree on "....... Nigerian Youth Initiave." The only area we're over-debating is on what takes the place of "........" For me I think "Eastern" is slightly more appropriate even though it has its own limitations.

In one of my responses I said we can choose one and move on because we all know as things progress we can change whatever is not maximally serving us. So based on that I dont really care so much about the difference between ANYI and ENYI, what I want is to get many brothers onboard whether they're for ANYI or ENYI (thats where IYI or INYI comes in).

ChinenyeN: Get rid of this "Eastern" thing.

Brother ChinenyeN, with due respect I would like you to give us a name or vote for one. Lets not cut our nose to spite the face. Eastern is as Igbo as apple pie is to America. There's no way we can get Eastern out of our Homeland, remember there is a reason we're called the rising sun. Its not just because we think we're rising or were rising (if you considered the 60s), its also because the sun in Nigeria appears from our horizon. Brother, there's nothing wrong with Eastern or East as they all point in one direction - IGBOLAND.

Umunna, there's no sense in having a protracted deadlock on names, meanings and their implications. I noticed the two front-line names are ENYI and ANYI. Since it looks like they're neck to neck, I hereby humbly suggest for a tie-breaking name (at least thats what I think). The name is Ikemba Youth Initiative, IYI. We shall couple it with OnlyTruth's "Reclaiming The Future."

Lets look at IYI closely, is there any advantage/disadvantage?

Its true I suggested IYI, but I also forsee a downside to the name which is its subtle symmetry with MASSOB. I have nothing against MASSOB but I have a feeling a name such as IYI might appear Massobish and consequently causing us to lose our voice. The good part is that the name is an Igbo name that's very appealing to many outside Alaigbo. In fact we can simplify the magnitude and strength of the name, Ikemba, as a function of Nigerian age. The more Nigeria appreciates in age the more Ikemba will be revered. Like I said, the name has the "it" to carry many people outside our territory along just as it has the "it" also to have our voice drowned in Nigerian noise.

This is my own attempt and, possibly, the last to break the tie. I'll be voting very soon (final vote).
Umunna, ekelem unu.

Aigbofa: It is dishonest to edit your post after a I have responded to it. Anyway, the facts is, Sardauna was advised against it, Awo was for it. Zik as usual went with the North like he did throughout his career.

Underline the part I edited for me to see 'cause I cant remember editing anything after your comment. Show me, thats all.

Aigbofa: Here is a article written by an ibo guy, notice how he cleverly omitted Azikiwe's position regarding the secession clause. It appears the ibos got the country they wanted, but got disillusioned when they realised they couldn't dominate other tribes like they have imagined.




[size=14pt]Nigeria And The Mistakes of 1914
By Vitus Ejiogu[/size]



The Sardauna of Sokoto and late Prime Minister of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello who, as leader of the Northern People's Congress during the early 1950s, referred to the amalgamation of the various Nigerian provinces into one unit as "the mistake of 1914".

The amalgamation of 1914 brought together into one country as someone puts it, "nations and people who had no reason to think of themselves as members of a common society". It is important to note here that the idea behind the amalgamation was not for the political unity of the people but to ensure a more efficient colonial administration. The reality of this statement is found in the further division of the country in 1939 into three regions (North, East and West). As a result, regionalism was introduced into Nigerian politics and ethno-religionalism thenceforth assumed a centre-stage in the political process of Nigeria.

According to the Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the problem with Nigerian is not economic, social, legal or what have you, but political. At the look of things, it is politics that distorts everything and it is politics that, by an infernal dialectic, renders everything we touch putrid and poisonous. The same politics is what also distorts our view of politics. Seeing that the greatest challenge Nigeria has in developing a national consensus is the vast scale of ethnic and rather sectarian differences, selfish political leaders over the years have overexploited these imbalances to remain fulfilled.

The three principal ethnic groups that dominated the national scene: the Igbo in the southeast, Yoruba in the southwest, and Hausa/Fulani in the North, do not really belong together, hence each has its own ideology. The three political heavyweights that make up Nigeria are unwilling to understand themselves. When Sardauna identified this problem years back, particularly during the negotiations for independence, he was quick to contemplate secession. His argument then was that Northerners would not rush into independence if meant replacing European domination with southern domination.

Also during the 1950 constitutional conference, Nigerians were sold into a proposed representational ratio of 45:33:33 for North, East and West respectively. At the vanguard of Northern interests then was the Emir of Zaria, who declared that the North MUST have 50 percent of the seats or it would secede. The North has always been in the forefront of having the best of Nigeria for themselves even at the expense of the other tribes. Nigeria can never unite if leadership by intimidation continues to be the order of the day. It is on record that the idea of secession was first hatched by the North, nursed by the West, and executed in the East.

Sardauna first called for secession when he became afraid of southern domination in the early 1950s. The Emir of Zaria during the constitutional conference of 1950, called for Northern secession if the North is not given 50 percent of the seats. Northern politicians in 1953 through the Northern House of Assembly and House of Chiefs called for confederation and separation in opposition to a motion for self-government sponsored by the Action Group (AG).

The idea of secession was equally nursed by the Action Group (AG) in 1954 when it insisted that a secession clause should be inserted into the proposed constitution.

When the Easterners through their Premier, Dr. Michael Okpara, threatened to secede because of the problems of "the mistake of 1914", the Sardauna himself was quick to point out to him that there was no secession clause in the nation's fundamental laws, notwithstanding, the East seceded and declared for the sovereign state of Biafra. Biafra's attempt at secession was not the first, but it turned out to be the most serious threat to the existence of Nigeria. This resulted to a civil war and at the end; the issue of Biafra was put to rest.

However, there was a declaration of "no victor, no vanquished", yet the issue of a united Nigeria is still hanging on a balance. Disunity as the name sounds is a danger that the people of Nigeria can no longer endure. It has laid to waste all the noble dreams of a united Nigerian nation and nullified all the efforts at national construction. Today we see the fruit of disunity in the legalized barbarism of the contemporary Nigerian situation. A nation where after so many years of independence, still tottering in failure, as if, according to Odumegwu Ojukwu, failure was programmed into the scroll of independence and secured by the very circumstance of our emergence into national sovereignty.

It should be noted that the mistakes of our founding fathers are today telling on all of us. Since they were very much eager to marry Nigeria together by giving the North a free hand to dominate other parts, it is evident today that the North has eclipsed the whole of Nigeria politically. Their constant hold to power has translated to Muslim domination in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country which Nigeria represents.

The marriage of convenience known today as the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) and the "fair" consideration of the North during independence brought about today's preponderance of northerners in strategic government positions, against the institution of the nation's Federal Character Commission (FCC). This is why till today, calls for the institution of a confederal arrangement has continued to permeate the national political landscape.

Nigeria today, is sitting on a keg of gunpowder ready to explode, unless Nigeria, and indeed Nigerians, endeavour to obliterate from their various documents, all evidence of ethnic origin, religion, and all forms of dichotomy. When we begin to accept the "us all" concept, share responsibilities equally, and respect each other's personality, then we would be sure of social justice, peace, unity and progress. This understanding will truly clean up the mistakes of 1914.

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with two childrenhttp://ezinearticles.com/?Nigeria-And-The-Mistakes-of-1914&id=6157210



http://ezinearticles.com/?Nigeria-And-The-Mistakes-of-1914&id=6157210

I read it but didnt see where Igbos steamrolled the rest of Nigeria into nationhood devoid of seperation clause. If Igbos actually did that, does it mean they were numerically more than WEST and NORTH combined to really pull it off? Ask yourself that and you'll see what you're intentionally omitting.

As per the bolded, its just the same old line so I'm not shocked at the usual statement "ibo guy wrote this, did that, exonerated Zik, etc." You had ample opportunity to bring up where Igbo stampeded the whole nation into One Nigeria with no exit plan yet you went and brought what an "Igbo guy" (the same person you despise) wrote and you're still complaining how he omitted this and that. Please show us where Igbo removed or argued against seperation clause while Awo and Sarduanna was for it. I want to see how Zik pull this off against Awo and Sarduanna. Please dont bring Igbo guy again and then blame him for acts of omission. Go for a diff person.

Metalgoong: Oganiru Ndi Igbo
Oganiru Progressive Movement(OPM),
Ohakwuru Progressive Association (OPA)
Obi Ndi Igbo Movement(ONM)
Alaigbo Nigeria Youth Initaiative(ANYI)

Again, any of the above suggested names is far better than "Eastern Nigeria Youth Initiative " . .lol. I'm strongly in favor of any name that contains an Igbo word because in my observation, our kith and kin living in Igboland,the ones who directly bore the brunt of poor administration in Igboland, are more inclined to identify with organizations or anything they have strong cultural or emotional affinity for. According to Tip Oneil, "all politics is local." It is my opinion that there is no need to be thinking global, while the political situation in Igboland is a mess, and seriously needs to be rectified. I posit that all energy should be channeled to local politics and development in Igboland, instead of thinking how to appease to outsiders or Igbos living outside the political boundaries of Igboland. Organizations, including this fledgling group, and politicians must appeal to the simple, mundane and everyday concerns of those who they aspire to lead. Those personal issues, rather than big and intangible ideas, are often what they care most about, and not the vague idea of thinking global.

off course, we all agree that one of the major objectives of this organization will be the economic development and empowerment in Igboland. But the question is how can it be achieved? I opine that such level of economic development can only be achieved through the ballot box,and not through an individual or any group of people. And that's why I have always emphasized that this fledgling group should care more about local politics - appealing manly to those who actually vote in Igboland, and not the Diasporas denying their "igbonness" or the internet warriors like me who are living abroad. I don't know why some people find this difficult to understand!

Imagine what could have been happening in Anambra state, if the people on ground were able to coalesce together and elect Soludo during the 2010 guber election. Maybe we might have seen a hint of how he could have turned Anambra state into the Japan of Africa, as he described in his economic manifesto for the state. Infact, we should drop the idea of thinking global, and focus on the politics going on in our backyard. Other parts of Nigerians will take us more serious when they see the calibre of leaders we elect. Let our actions in our localities speak for us.

A thumb down for "E.N.Y.I" and the motto, " Reclaiming our future ".

A thumb up for for "Alaigbo Nigeria Youth Initaiative(ANYI) and also for any of the motto, "Igbo nile bilie, or Ndigbo nile ebiliwo, Igbo nile amaka" as suggested by Sam Ikenna.

Igbo bu Igbo ekelem unu!!

Great! we're making progress. Nothing is etched in stone like I stated yesterday. Its good that we're able to see through your eyes and can now know why you thumbed down on other names and mottos. Nwannem, the points you raised here can only be ignored by the worst curmudgeonly individual and this organization will certainly not be peopled by such.

Before I go too far, its important that we all understand why I think your write-up is great - reason is that you provided alternatives marinated in concrete reasoning and realism. Before this thread got to where it is now I had other beliefs and positions I deemed sacrosanct, but having rubbed minds with umunna I'm glad to say I think otherwise.

Yesterday I saw through my own eyes but today I can see through the eyes of the entire Igbo brothers and sisters on NL, point being that its not about one individual, its about all - what we agree on and what we dont.

In the end I hope none of us will back off from this nobel idea because our individual positions or beliefs did not make the list. If anyone is unhappy with any position we take today, let the consolation be that even the name or motto we pick today is still subject to change down the line. So whoever feels passionate about a position that others are overlooking should not bail out in a haste 'cause there's still hope for more intake of ideas as we move along.

Umunna ekelem unu ozo.

Aigbofa: Even if I provide you with documents, you will still ask for a video evidence with Zik declaring at the end of it that " I am Zik and I approve this message". Whether you believe my post or not is none of my business.

Sounds like music.

Aigbofa: No, they were wrong in siding with the North not to include a secession clause in the constitution from the start. What they could have done with a pen, they attempted to do with a gun.

Do you mind showing us something to back this up or is it one of those myths about Igbo in Nigeria? If Zik (Igbo) didnt want secession clause in the constitution what did the rest of his budies do? Was Zik that powerful to ram through all his wishes? I'll agree to what you wrote above if I see a document that supports it. Show us something bro.

ACM10: IMO, Alaigbo Nigeria Youth Initaiative(ANYI) should have been better since our focus is on Igboland

Great, you're talking brother. What do you think if we make it "Umuigbo Nigeria Youth Initiative" UNYI, too bad the sound "UNYI" is disturbing to me, Lol! Sounds like person wey dey hurt.

Anyway, if we take "ANYI" then I'll like us to settle for "reclaiming the future."

I think its time for whoever has an objection to the name "ENYI" to give us another name. We cant stay on this till eternity, somehow we have to move on. Personally, I have accepted "ENYI" knowing its limitations. However, the next burden we have (if ENYI makes it) is to eliminate/reduce whatever disadvantage inherent in the name by adopting a motto that exceeds the bounds of ENYI (ie - reach other Igbos outside the boundaries of old East).


Umunna, here is how I cast my vote.

I vote "hold" on ENYI for now.
I vote negative on "reclaiming our future."
I vote positive on "Igbo nile e bilie" To account for difference in dialect, "Igbo nile e bilie" in my dialect means - All Igbos have risen.
I vote positive on the symbol - Handshake and elephant, with handshake on top of elephant - symbolizing, first and foremost, our good intention for a mutually beneficial friendship and alliance. But if we cant have that friendship and alliance that we genuinely seek then let it be clear that we shall do whatever is necessary to survive and keep our people safe.

Umunna e kelem unu.

esikpogho: A lot of people have this ego need that makes them want to believe that Earth is the center of the universe.A wrong concept misleads the understanding; a wrong deed degrades the whole man, and may eventually demolish the structure of the human ego.

Meaning....

esikpogho: did you cheek how many were admitted,they may have the highest number of student that take jamb.but they may not have the highest number of student that were admitted. last ssce,imo wast not in top 7 state.the state in top performers were s.west state and edo state.i mean state that have more than 20% credit in five subject including English and maths.national average was 11.3%.but all the s.west state have more than 25%including edo.you cheek the top 20 university in the country. in webrocom ranking,all are in s.west and edo state,apart from UNN and ABU. western region still the leader in education in the country

Very well then, giving Imo state some kind "help" wont be a bad idea right?

Brothers, thanks for keeping the deliberations on. I dont think there's a deliberate intention to give the organization an English name. The way I see it, the name popped out and has remained somewhat ahead of other names. I really didnt want us to use "Eastern" from the beginning 'cause I feel it excludes Anioma and Igbanke Igbos, but I guess if we go by that name we should probably take some sort of consolation on the grounds that Midwestern Igbos feel Igbo at heart. One other way to remedy it, or if I may, kill two birds with one stone is to use Igbo in our motto - meaning - we wont use "reclaiming our future." We can use something like "Igbo nile, bilie" = "all Igbo, arise and shine." Or, "Ndigbo nile ebiliwo (ebiligo)" = meaning we've risen. Now, if you look closely you'll realize I keep adding "nile" or "nine," The reason for this is obvious - Not all Igbos are in the East so irrespective of where you are the onus is on you to join your brethren and rise.

Like I stated earlier, I didnt subscribe into ENYI from the onset but as events have unfolded I think its evident the name is on the lead. In finding what's best for this organization let us swallow personal pride and "me" for collective progress and "we." The reason I wrote about "me" and "we" is because I dont want anyone to jump ship simply because his or her opinion didnt rule the day. We're highly republican and opinionated at the same time, it can be frustrasting some times- remember Ojukwu didnt want to lead Igbos because of it, he felt we were too difficult for him. Our people gave Ojukwu so much heat to a point where he had to adjust and lead. He adapted and we loved him for it. If you're Igbo and you're reading this, I am begging you to drop "me" for "we" no matter how much right your "me" is.

Its time to pick a name and move on.

I thumb up for ENYI
I thumb down for "reclaiming our future"

I suggest we use things like - Igbo nile bilie, or Ndigbo nile ebiliwo, Igbo nile amaka, or any other stuff in that direction.

Brothers, this day is our day and by God we shall use it to serve the almighty and humanity. We're people of the most high and we must never be made to beg on the valley. Ndigbo, we belong to the top of the mountain - and top we shall seek.

Igbo mmammanu

Onlytruth: Brother Sam_Ikenna,

I put together your logo into one element.
How does it look?

The way you put it looks great.

Onlytruth: Brother Sam_Ikenna,

I put together your logo into one element.
How does it look?

Lol, I was just trying to get it together. Anyway, nothing is etched in stone, whatever our people want is fine. At the end of the day we'll all decide what will be our symbol so let ideas keep flowing.

I was about to get some rest before I saw this so let me help a little bit. Nuclear fusion is a feasible/possible but extra-ordinarily difficult process of generating usable energy. its different from nuclear fission where you can enrich Uranium to a chain reaction sustainable enrichment %( I think about 3% or there about). Someone used the word "bombard Hydrogen." Well, in fusion the word bombard does not apply rather we compress the hydrogens to a critical temperature where the 4 hydrogens (one proton each) fuses into one Helium (atomic number 2, mass number 4). difference in mass * c^2 becomes our energy yield. This theory sounds great but in practice its close to impossible. the only time men did fusion was during hydrogen bomb explosion and even in that about 4 nukes were used to funnel the hydrogen into a tight small space where the energy released by the nukes did the compression before fusion occurred. So in a nutshell, dont even think of fusion in Nigeria yet. PHCN is going to be king for a very very long long long long timeeeee, Lol!

I suggest people go pay their electric bills 'cause even the best phycists haven't figured out the best way out (the only consolation now is that USA, Korea, UK, France, I think Brazil is part of it too, are working together in France for a sustainable fusion chain reaction). Its still a long way but there is hope.

ebere1712: Suggestion for name of organisation
Umunna.
Oganiru ndi igbo (oni)

This name is very appealing, I like it.

ebere1712: Let me first of all say that I'm very excited about this and really, really hope we pull this off. This could be the begining of a great thing. I will help in whatever way I can (so far as the organisation remains sane). For the logo, I will suggest the two locked horns beside a really tall iroko tree. I can help in logo creation if it is needed. I can help in a whole other things. Lets just wait and see how it goes.
My simple suggestions

1) If this is an Igbo organisation, it must have an igbo name (complete igbo, no association or union)
2) The phoenix is very offensive to me because it is not seen anywhere in igbo land and has no bearing in this discussion at all
3) We have to start looking inwards; whilst borrowing and transliterating other things that could be of gud to our society
[b]4) I vehemently reject the suggestion that we have to base our union on "it's friendliness to our supposed allies" (Allies that betrayed us in the past. This is an affront to our mothers and fathers that fought for our present freedoms)
5) I also vehemently reject the suggestion that we should pursue this with igbos, who have in the past claimed not to be igbos. Instead we should make a provision for them to reclaim there igboness and come back to their father's land(figuratively)
[/b]7) Leaders elected in this position, should never be seen to have any political alliance and should never be seen to benefit a dime from their positions. It should be 100% voluntary.
Avoid those trying to make this into a Nigerian endeavour, avoid them like leprosy, they hate you. Nothing in Nigeria has ever worked, nothing will ever work in the present design.

Also the two locked horns by an Iroko tree is very nice and I must say its very very Igbo. Iroko has a wonderful place in Igboland, its like the gentle giant of all nature.

Now to your #4 and 5 - I'm not sure I'll buy into it. Nigerian civil war is physically over and we must not carry the physical war into this century. My brothers, no man is an island unto himself. lets understand there is a reason those people you're refering to abandoned us in the first place. I dont want to go into what happened or didnt happen during the war 'cause that'll derail the thread, but to simply say we will not care about how we're percieved, that we'll just zoom and ram everything our way - bro that'll limit our success. There is no doubt the organization must be Igbo oriented but at the same time we must stretch out an arm for all our natural friends and brothers - its not weakness. Even USA woos her bitter enemies so lets take a page from tested and trusted MO.

Guys open it, its in MSword. I just got some images from google and put them together. Book stands for knowledge, palm for hardwork, handshake for friendship and alliance, people stand for togetherness.

We all love the symbol - elephant. Elephant symbolizes strength, toughness, ruggedness, daring, etc. On the flip side it also demonstrates carefreeness and insensitivity to the grass and other tiny animals around it. It tramples on anything and everything.

The Igbo I know is strong, hardworking, and courageous as well as wise and kind. We need a symbol that has strength in it, hardwork in it, knowledge seeking and God-fearing in it too (God-fearing can equate to kindness and love for our fellow man).

Now look at it this way. Boko Haram uses the symbol - AK47, and preaches violence, destruction, and disregard for education. They're knowledge roll-backers bent on taking their people back to 5th century. If we use elephant, which symbolizes only strength, without adding emphasis on love for education and hardwork that our people are known for, how then are we different from "born to rules" that only talk about power and violence with zero emphasis on personal responsibility and sensitivity to the "minorities" in their zone.

Its my humble opinion that we put together - a pen or book (knowledge), palm tree or any other thing that can best symbolize hardwork, maybe a handshake - It shows our willingness to embrace and work with friends and allies. Also lets add to it a symbol that shows we stand together - we rise and fall as a people, never shall we abandon our own even at the point of complete extermination - we will stand firm and together.

Brothers and sisters, we've always represented as well as shown we're anti-born to rule and the evil it represents. Let us continue to represent that both in our symbols and actions.

Onlytruth: Umu Igbo mma mma nu o!

We are off and running!

I have ONE quick suggestion. I don't know whether it would be accepted or rejected. My suggestion is that each item should be discussed for at least 2 days or even three days before we move to the next item.
Adighi eme ngwa amicha aka maka na agaghi afanye ya n'uko! You should not hurriedly lick up the fingers because it will never be shelved!

So, it is better to get the SOLID outcome than just to glide over them and move on.

Umu nna, we may have to settle for that Eastern Nigeria Youth Initiative (Enyi) afterall. That is a youth movement because our fathers have not really given us the best outcome. It is time we improve on their achievements.

I recon that our Anioma brothers are not Easterners, but I bet you they are Easterners at heart, and when Anioma state is created, they will join South East. In any case Eastern Nigeria can still expand.

My own humble contribution.

My brother Beneli, ebe ka i no kamgbe? Umunna choro enyemaka gi! Dere m imeelu.

Brother, I wasn't yet ready for the convo now (I will fully join in about 2 hours) but let me say that officially excluding our brothers from the inception is not the ideal way to go about it. Even if we think they believe they're easterners at heart we should still make it official in our name. I like what you said about not making this convo a jiffy thing. We're not in a haste so let that be settled in all minds. We will deliberate on the name and other things untill we get an all inclusive name that bears our true intentions - which are: equality, justice, good governance, cohesiveness and oneness of Igbo people, maintaning the relationship and friendship between Igbos and her Eastern brothers, pursuance of peace and alliance with other SS states that were formally in Midwest, pursuance of peace and alliance with states in MB, Readiness to work with SW if need be, unflinching belief in the survival of all ethnic groups in Nigeria no matter how tiny they are, respect for evolution of old ethnic groups and emergence of new ones - any group of persons that say they're now new ethnic group must be respected as equal, belief in resource control - resources belong to those living or existing on the land under which the resources are found, Zero interest in arms race or confrontation as we're peaceful and will always remain so, belief that no ethnic group no matter how strong should ply the route of pushing out another (smaller group) off their ancestral land under any guise, belief in scholarships and education, belief in improvement of old and building of new infrastructures, belief in the supremacy of law of the land, and most importantly, belief in a true One Nigeria or No Nigeria.

This convo is not a platform for any attack on anyone. ndu_chuks is welcome, lets respect his imputs. Ogugua88 is a beloved sister and I'm following her imputs. PointB is a superb organizer, Afam4eva the extraodinaire, OnlyTruth our able leader with unmatchable zeal and wit for maneuvering, politicking, and management of naturally republican brethren - I see you took a page from Ikemba. My other brothers - achi4u, noiseless, beneli, emanuelle, and the list goes on - you're all doing great. Please, please - let nobody attack anyone irrespective of views. Even if someone disparages the entire process including our race, lets remain calm and not respond else we derail and destroy our own thing.

God bless.