From Marcel Chuks Owerri
Former Honourable Member represented Mbaitoli-Ikeduru Federal Constituency Rt.Hon Uche Ogbuagu has called Igbo in diaspora to diversify their investment to develop Igbo Land Ogbuagu made this comment in Sunderland, United Kingdom recently. He stated that the Igbo being referred to here are all Nigerians whose origin can be traced to the landmass spanning from the old Midwestern region, Kogi, Benue, down to Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and the whole of the South-East states. Ogbuagu further stated that this area constitutes a large concentration of Igbo-speaking people who had the area as their natural habitat, but were scattered by political actions, particularly arising from colonialism.Adding that Eastern Nigeria is often narrowly defined as beginning from the eastern tip of the Niger Bridge in Onitsha.
But this is a reductionist partitioning, for Ndigbo are naturally and historically known as occupying the vast plain stretching from the western tip of the same NigerThe Think-Home ideology, according to him connotes the mindset and the constant propensity to repatriate resources made outside Igbo land for investment and development back home.”For ages, the Igbo have been known as one of, if not the most, travelled ethnic groups in Nigeria. Wherever we go, we quickly settle, integrate, and engage in massive economic and commercial investments in our host communities, often as though we are indigenes. Sadly, in doing this, we sometimes pay only cursory or passing attention to our home states, towns, and villages”Ogbuagu emphssised that among Nigeria’s vast ethnic groups, none compares with Ndi Igbo in this lifestyle of feeling at home wherever they find themselves. This unique disposition has attracted numerous comments, some commendation others very critical, suggesting the urgent need for a change of approach.
He opined that It is agreed that the fate of the Igbo nation since the end of the Nigerian-Biafra civil war in 1970 has been that of a traveller on a voyage of political and economic survival. The devastating effects of that war, which depleted Ndigbo politically, economically, psychologically, and socially, are still copiously visible.”The deliberate infrastructural abandonment of Igbo land after the war, coupled with the economic emasculation of our people through anti-Igbo economic policies introduced by the Gen. Yakubu Gowon administration, drove our people into wholesale migration, out of Igbo land into other parts of Nigeria and the world in search of greener pastures” He lamrntef that historical challenges under General Gowon’s post-war economic policies, our people were pauperized. The infamous change of currency policy left every Igbo person with just twenty pounds, irrespective of how much they had saved in their bank accounts.
This was followed by the Indigenization policy at a time when Ndigbo were still struggling to regain their economic footing.Ogbuagu stressed that, but beyond economics, Ndigbo have also faced a deeper socio-political dilemma, recalling that the devastating effects of the transatlantic slave trade. From the 16th century, when the Portuguese placed Igbo areas on their world map as home to strong, energetic, and wise people, to the centuries of slave raiding, Ndi Igbo suffered untold depletion. Over 3.5 million Igbo were shipped to the Americas and the Caribbean. Our manpower was drained, our values upturned, and our society scattered.”Yet, even in slavery, Igbo resilience shone through. Our forebears never forgot home. The thought of Ala Igbo remained alive in their subconscious, influencing their lives and songs, that is the earliest manifestation of the Think-Home ideology”The need for urgent introspection, globalization has given us access to vast opportunities—trade, commerce, banking, ICT, sports, construction, real estate, academics, and more. But success comes with consequences.”
We cannot ignore the recurrent hostility and targeted attacks Ndi Igbo have suffered in places like South Africa, Ghana, Gabon, and beyond. According to reports, between 200 and 400 Nigerians, mostly of Igbo extraction, are deported from South Africa annually. In just two years, over 6,500 stranded Nigerians, mainly Ndi Igbo, were repatriated from seven countries”Ogbuagu however highlighted that the truth remains, East, West, North, or South – home is still the best. Especially now, when global economies are shifting, exchange rates are skyrocketing, and the naira continues to dwindle, it is wisdom for Ndi Igbo in the diaspora to take advantage of stronger foreign currencies to build sustainable wealth at home.”There are numerous opportunities awaiting Ndi Igbo back home – real estate development, agro-industries, transportation, import-export, education, cottage industries, and philanthropy. Even small investments in our communities pay off significantly”He concluded that Development of Igbo land through infrastructure, industrialization, rural development, and youth empowerment is a task crying for attention. But it is only by thinking home that Ndi Igbo in the diaspora will see these challenges as worthwhile “Igbo in Sunderland, I call upon you: let us embrace this philosophy. Let us invest our strength, wealth, and resources back home.Because at the end of the day, no matter where we are—London, New York, or Johannesburg, home is still home(When wealth, reaches home, it gathers honour for the one who made it.
