MY article of January 8, 2016 entitled, “The reality of South-East marginalization” attracted many reactions from readers. I hereby reproduce some of them and others on previous articles for your reading pleasure.
Chief Robert Obioha has brought another layer of understanding into the Igbo marginalization to the well thought out response written by Dr. Obi Nwakanma(http://ift.tt/1n5JeQ8 buhari-what-do-igbos-want-obi-nwakanma. html?m=1) and published in the Vanguard of January 10, 2016. Chief Obioha’s article should be given a serious consideration by every well meaning Nigerian. Justice and equity are critical in nation building. Addressing marginalization cannot and must not be wished away. No nation that is reasonable in equitable sharing of its national resources bases it on physical land size rather than on its population density. President Buhari’s media chat downplayed the meaning of marginalization as if it’s a buzz word being used to play politics in Nigeria. No, it’s not. It’s real. Although some Igbo individuals may seem to be doing well at their personal levels, such should not becloud the reality of various aspects of marginalization that Ndigbo have experienced for the past 50 years as both Obioha and Nwakanma eloquently expressed.
One of my friends that had a pharmaceutical manufacturing outfit in the country pointed out to me that the South-east universities have the least number of pharmacy programmes when compared to the universities in other regions. That got me thinking that seriously speaking, the South- East zone should wake up from their slumber, smell the coffee and really put their feet down to get what is simply their right. Asopuru Okemgbo, USA. aalajemba@gmail.com
I always read your write-ups between the lines. During President Muhammadu Buhari’s media chat, it is repugnant to hear him ask: Who is marginalizing the South-East? It is also nauseating to hear our president mix up people of South-South and South-East! Oil minister and Central Bank governor are they not from Igbo (South-East). Uchey, 08088820528.
Sir, Your write-up on South-East marginalization made a very impressive reading. Thanks for such a well researched article. Let me add that Buhari has just obtained about $2.2 billion loan for the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged in the North-East by Boko Haram. I cannot recollect that such a special gesture was done to the South-East after a more catastrophic civil war. Frank Ikemba, Enugu, 08155282975
It is painful and most disgraceful that those who claim to represent the South-East at the National Assembly are for themselves rather than for the people. Have you ever heard of a joint press re- lease or motions on the issue of South-East marginalization, the second Niger Bridge, detention of Nnamdi Kanu in spite of the bail granted him? Barrister Damian Ajare, 08035650218.
God bless you my brother, Chief Obioha. May your pen never run dry. I will never forget in a hurry in 1973 when a certain commission ceded some oil producing towns to Rivers and Delta states. 08023722328.
Dear Robert, You have said it all in your article in the Daily Sun of January 8 on South-East mar- ginalization. You picked the issues one after the other and the blind can see and understand. I am very happy that this has cancelled Fr. Mbaka’s position that the Igbos are not marginalized and hat we have ministers in Buhari’s government. May God give you more strength to counter such fallacies. 08039110753.
Can a copy of this article be made available to Rev. Fr. Mbaka so that he can understand the meaning of marginalization?
Eleje Eze <elejeze@gmail.com>
Re: APC should face governance
I doff my cap for Chief Robert Obioha for daring to call the APC-led Nigerian government to order. A number of Nigerians are still gripped with fears that marked life under military dictatorship. Chief Obioha rightly pointed out that we are no longer under military rule but in civilian governance so to say. I hope this article has lifted the caged birds out to fly again. Nigerians should feel free to bring objective and constructive criticisms of the current government before they begin to feel and believe that all is well when in actual fact, it is not. One example of deafening silence is the Central Bank of Nigeria taking over the role of commercial banks in running the banking activities of ALL federal ministries, parastatals, schools. universities, and what else. The frenzy and mania of the so-called fight against corruption will soon be- come counter-productive and actually harmful to the economy of this nation. The unintended consequences of some of the actions of the Buhari run private enterprise may take Nigeria longer years to recover from than the misrule we already had with the military juntas.Dr. Asopuru Okemgbo, USA.aalajemba@gmail.com
Your piece on “APC should face governance” was well researched and straight to the point. Adams Oshiomhole has not really told us what Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala did to him while in office. But the more he tries to depreciate her, the more her profile rises. Uzomba J. Kanu, 08032910874.
Re: The fury over Biafra
My brother Robert, Reading your article in the Daily Sun of November 20, 2015 I became so sure that we still have people who are prepared to say the truth no matter whose ox is gored. Your write-up on Biafra stands tall no matter whatever opinion haboured by anyone. Thanks my good one.
Barrister Kanayo Nwogbo, 08091141026.
Thanks for a great article, “The fury over Biafra” in the Daily Sun of November, 20, 2015. Chaka, 08033438717.
Thanks for your objective write-up on Biafra. God bless you. Ven. Dr. MP Ifeanyi, 08037410516.
Re: Christmas in a depressed economy
This article by Chief Robert Obioha is a great food for thought. We must remember that Christmas cannot be anything short of what it was at the beginning of time. It was scarcity that made Joseph and Mary, fully pregnant and due for delivery, go to the Manger because there was no room in the inn. At this time of scarcity in Nigeria we have to get back to the basics. The bleating of goats and sheep at the birth of Jesus Christ was not in the slaughterhouse. Rather, it was a manner, a gentle draw of attention to farming. The Shepherds were in the field tending to their flock when they experienced the great out- pour of angelic and the heavenly hosts high praises to the God Almighty. They were praising God not because of looted money for a funfair at Christmas but because a true Savior was born. Reflecting on “Christmas in a Depressed Economy” in Nigeria pushes the reality that this country must return back to farming in line with the celebration of the first Christmas.
The time has come for Nigeria to embrace our Savior not in the pomp and pageantry of religious glamour but in reflective humility of the One who came to serve rather than to be served. This Savior came to forgive rather than to condemn people. The truth is that He came, rolled up His sleeves, and got work done rather than to shifting of blames on whoever. This true Savior came to heal rather than to inflict pain.
Our Savior came to liberate rather than to imprison. The truth is that He came and died for the masses of His people rather than to kill unarmed civilians. Nigeria’s hope lies on true salvation in Jesus Christ who was born for our salvation, deliverance, emancipation, and freedom from deceptive and corrupt people and from corruption itself. Dr. Asopuru Okemgbo, USA.aalajemba@gmail.com