Gov Nwifuru calls on Ndigbo to regain lost national leadership status 

Igbo people have been called upon to close ranks and reclaim her pioneering leadership status in Nigeria.

 

Governor Francis Nwifuru made the call Saturday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

 

He spoke as a special guest at the Annual Thanksgiving Service of the Universal Christ Ministry of All Nations, a Christian Organisation belonging to the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi State chapter, Rt. Rev. Scamb Chinedum Nwokolo.

 

Nwifuru, represented by his Principal Secretary, Chief Matthias Adum, regretted that the Igbos, owing to some historical accidents and negligence on their part have over the years, allowed their most cherished values and landmark economic hubs to fizzle.

 

Referencing the great pioneering leadership roles of the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, Michael Okpara, Akanu Ibiam, Dennis Osadebey, among others, in the formative years of Nigeria’s nationhood, Nwifuru lamented that the virtues of hardwork, integrity and industry which the Igbos were known for are fast disappearing, leaving the zone at the mercy of other zones.

 

This development, according to him, apart from breeding insecurity, youth restiveness and economic slavery, also portends danger to the future of Ndigbo.

 

He stated: “The whole space in Nigeria, Ndigbo from the foundation of this country was leading.

 

“In the struggle for Independence, Zik was the arrowhead; he took the issue of Nigeria as number one challenge with others: M.I Okpara, Akanu Ibiam, Osadebey and others.

 

“Ochanja Market Onitsha was the biggest market in the whole of West Africa.

 

Onitsha had the biggest cotton mill in the whole of Nigeria, it was called General Cotton Mill, GCM, etc.

 

“Ndigbo should go into self re-examination to know where we have lost it.

 

“Our youths don’t go to school any longer; we are not in the Army, the Police, Immigration, Custom and other key agencies.

 

“All the Governors are now agitating for State Police.

 

“We need wisdom to navigate through our challenges, and we need to secure our place first

 

“We buy and sell, we don’t manufacture any longer.

 

“All the multinational companies in Igboland have all gone, even the banks of Igbo origin, except one.

 

“We need to ask ourselves what happened to African Continental Bank, Cooperative and Comnerce Bank, the NIGERCEM, among others.

 

“We need to ask ourselves, what is wrong?

 

“We have lost most figures that made us great.

 

“Why should Igbos be fighting themselves?

 

Why do we go into kidnapping?

 

“Is it part of our virtues?

 

“We are our own problems.”

 

He called on the Igbo people everywhere to think home, invest in production and manufacturing industry and reinvigorate the markets to serve international needs.

 

He urged the CAN Chairman to work towards resuscitating the abandoned school evangelism and moral instruction programmes in the state to bring the young ones back to the right values in life.

 

He also solicited for advanced prayers for the Country’s leaders by the Church, stressing that a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving to God attracts more blessings.

 

Founder and General Overseer of the Ministry, Nwokolo, in his speech assured the Governor that the CAN in the State has reached advanced stage, including developing manuals for the relaunch of the Schools moral instruction programme across the state.

 

While commending the Governor for his human-centered leadership in the state, the CAN Chairman noted that the Church has continued to pray for the Leaders as part of its divine mandate, pledging not to renege in the responsibility.

 

Speaking to newsmen on the significance of the Thanksgiving Service, he said it was a cumulative appreciation to God for his leadings and blessings through the year.

 

“This is very significant because when you calculate the travails of your life from day one to the ending of the year, you need to return to God to thank him for all He has done and ask Him to continue to do more for you.

 

“The much more you thank God is the much more God will do miracle in your life.”

 

The guest preacher at the event, Rev. Dr. Sam Williams in his sermon admonished christians to develop the spirit of compliments to God rather than always complaining.

 

He noted that Thanksgiving should be a daily and all moments affair and not just a one-off exercise in a year, adding: “When we complain too much, we complicate issues in our lives.”

 

Friends and members of the Ministry including the WOWICAN Chairperson, Rev. Mrs Rita Okpaku, Evangelist Abigail Eze-Iheukwumere and others acknowledged that there are many reasons warranting thanksgiving to God: the gift of life, gift of family and the gift of humanity in general.

 

Eze-Iheukwumere emphasized that in spite of all our travails and challenges, including the insecurity ravaging the country, there’s still the need to thank God because according to her, thanksgiving is a divine mandate.

 

“The Bible says, in every situation, we should give God thanks.

 

“In spite of what we are passing through in the country today, I believe God knows the reason.

 

“Anyone that God has preserved his or her life should thank Him because it is our Divine mandate.

 

“We should realise that appreciation is an application for more.”

 

The event featured songs and ministrations, special family thanksgiving offerings, group offerings and prayers for the nation and its leaders at all levels.

 

•CAN Chairman, wife and Gov. Nwifuru’s representative