Permit me to yield this week episode to readers reaction on the article ‘ndi-Igbo : the Light of the nation’. Due to space constraints I will publish only a few reactions.
When I penned the said article, I knew what I wrote wasn’t going to be my last word on the conversation as the write-up barely scratched the surface of the matter. Igbo individual and collective contributions to humanity transcends Nigeria and requires a whole book. For instance, a chronicle of Igbo scholars that omitted Chinua Achebe , the Igbo writer and scholar who changed the perspective of Africa through his scholarly prowess cannot be complete, just like the omission of Dr Ofia Nwali of Ebonyi State who was the first black African to obtain a PhD in Computer / System Analysis from Havard University. Indeed, the list is endless. I promise to do more follow ups on this topic while taking the cognizance of the observations made by those who thinks that chronicling the Igbo contribution to Nigeria will attract more enemy to the race than love. Truth is that, we can’t hide the facts of our history because it makes those that hate us uncomfortable. Let them be judged by their conscience. I do not beg for us to be loved, I only demand that we are respected and treated as equal citizens.
The agitation we see today is the result of many years of maltreatment. The youths marching the streets and following Nnamdi Nkanu are doing so because they do not want to constantly live in fear of their lives or being treated like conquered people. They may not have seen the civil war or known the sounds of guns and bombs but they don’t want to be mistreated like their fathers. They want to live like sons and daughters of free men of a free world in a free country. They want to be proud citizens of Nigeria. Just like I for one hate their abusive and violent rhetoric , I wish to call on the government and all those who may not like the style of their agitation to summon the courage to address their grievances. The APC government must pick the courage to accept it did not manage her landslide victory at the 2015 election well and find a way to treat the people well. I write to remind the generation of Nigerians who due to the Nigeria factor have lost hope in the nation that we are heirs of a common great heritage. The achievements of our ancestors should be our pride and reasons to once again believe.
FROM MY MAILBOX
RE: Igbo; Light of the Nation
IGBO ARE REALLY BLESSED PEOPLE,
Bros, Thank you for the research and revelation you made on the Igbo as the light of the Nation especially on the myriads of Nigeria’s first professors of Igbo extractions. Igbo are really blessed people, no wonder they are also hated by some groups but then there hate is invalid as no one can curse he who God has blessed. The Igbo should continue to use their blessings to bless Nigeria. J.O Ezeani-08030987396
THE DAY OF THE LORD IS COMING
Clem, you made my day on the write up- ‘ the Igbo as the Light of the nation of Nigeria’ – a fact the wicked Nigeria project has always denied. But the day of the Lord is coming when the Children of God will cross the Red Sea: 08091894172
Nnamdi Kanu’s Secessionist Agenda is the Problem
Kanu’s secessionist agenda was the reason for the current hate against the Igbo, including the quit notice given rightly or wrongly as it were. If Igbo elders, elites and intelligentsia had risen to prevail on MASSOB and IPOB to focus on the issues of injustice, marginalization , lack of development and restructuring, nobody would have had issues with the Igbo. Good enough the Acting President has done well to reduce tensions hence the better understanding that we still need Nigeria to survive as one great country. When you also read Yerima’s recent interview you will see there is enough to restructure but with careful consideration of the issues being agitated for .-0816 545 4724
YOUR SOURCE ON MARGARET EKPO NEED FURTHER RESEARCH
Clem, I doubt seriously the totality of your position on Margaret Ekpo. Your source on her need further research. Yes, she was an Igbo daughter of Anambra origin but her efik transformation does not seem to be as a result of marriage. The earliest account was that her father though Igbo from Anambra State lived in Calabar while her mother was Efik. Some of her brothers worked in Zik’s west African pilot. Dr Azikiwe was quite aware of the background of Margaret Ekpo as both Igbo and Efik- 08171172484
MAY GOD PRESERVE YOU FOR THE FUTURE
Igbo as the light of the nation is the reason why some people want to destroy and extinguish the Igbo from Nigeria but it is not possible for them due to God own disposition to preserve us. Your writing is not just educative but a classic work. May God preserve you for the future . Jerome Uchegbu Umuahia-Abia State
YOU JUST REKINDLED MY IGBO PRIDE
Clem, You have just rekindled my Igbo pride. Reading through your master piece ‘Igbo as the light of the nation’ with the array of very powerful Igbo first and their towering accomplishments ,I cried for this waste land call Nigeria. Except Nigeria change for good , it will be game over for this country. Bonny Ilono
YOU OMITTED OR FORGOT NJOKU OBI
Clem, Well-done for your write up today which as usual is very educative but you omitted or forgot Njoku Obi of University of Nigeria who invented the cholera vaccine that save Nigeria , Africa and the world from Cholera epidemic that would have wiped out a huge population of the North in the 7os.. You are a powerful blessing to your generation. 08038935305
YOU ARE THE REASON I BUY SATURDAY SUN
Dear Clem, You are the reason I buy Saturday Sun. You are very special to me, intelligent, brave , fearless and a strong noble son of Igbo land. I appreciate you keep it up.. Goddfrey Chukwudi
THIS CAN STIMULATE THE NEXT LEVEL OF HATRED
Clem, your today’s Magnum Opus is volte-faced because it can stimulate the next level of hatred on the Igbo by those who hate to see the triumph of merit. Mr. Nnadi Enugu
OUR SILENCE SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED FOR FOOLISHNESS
I quite agree with you but let it not be that our keeping quiet in Nigeria should be construed to mean foolishness. Even if they should drag us into another war, it will not be like the previous civil war. God will raise the dried bone from the grave to defend the ashes and altar of our ancestors. May God be with you , Amen. Chizoba
YOUR LINE OF THINKING SHOULD BE OUR APPROACH
Dear Clem, thank you for your well researched write up in the Saturday Sun of July 22 , 2017. I was really educated and became very proud of my Igbo heritage. Your line of thinking should be our approach, rather than giving our detractors the opportunity once again to turn our land into a slaughter field. Let Nnamdi Kanu and his followers understand this and rethink their strategies, Ken Uchegbu , Abuja