Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Osita Okechukwu, has recommended the Barcelona model to Ndigbo in their agitation for self-determination.
The former VON boss, who made the recommendation while featuring on Ikengaonline’s town hall meeting, advised Ndigbo to be more tactful and diplomatic in advancing their cause in a complex entity like Nigeria.
Okechukwu, who said he shared the late Nnamdi Azikiwe’s pan-Nigerian philosophy, argued that Ndigbo would still survive and prosper under one Nigeria.
Recalling his encounter during a visit to Barcelona, which was also pushing for separation from Spain, the APC chieftain urged Ndigbo to borrow a leaf from the approach adopted by promoters of Catalonia’s sovereignty, which enabled them to record successes.
“There are two schools of thought in the South East, and I belong to the Zik spectrum. I’m not of the Ikemba school of thought. I belong to the political spectrum that sincerely believes that the Igbos should have alliances across the country; the more alliances you have, the better for us.
“I believe in a pan-Nigeria where every citizen will prosper in his own land. If Nigeria prospers, the Igbos will prosper because we are hardworking, industrious, and live in every part of the country — in the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.”
He narrated his experience in Barcelona: “When I was in Barcelona for a conference a few years ago, one of our hosts encouraged us to visit the rural areas. I traveled with one of them and we visited their home. The father, who died last year at 93, told me he once lived in Igboland. He advised that the Igbos should adopt the strategy that helped the Catalonian region, where Barcelona is the capital.
“He explained that for centuries they tried to secede from Spain but failed. At some point in the last century, they set up a committee which decided that while some continued to fight for secession, others should cooperate with other parts of Spain, and most importantly, invest more. They also agreed that whatever they achieved elsewhere, they should remit at least a quarter home for development.
“In less than 50 years, Barcelona and the Catalonian region became the most prosperous in Spain.”
Okechukwu also advised Ndigbo to learn from the Jews after the Holocaust and the Japanese after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, who reconciled with their persecutors and chose cooperation over perpetual enmity.
“After the Second World War, despite the devastation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese people decided to reconcile with the Americans. They chose to forget the past. In the same vein, I’m not saying we should forget the Civil War, but we must learn to forgive.”
He further advised Ndigbo to emulate the Jews by avoiding flamboyance and unnecessary display of wealth.
“Flaunting wealth brings enemies. My advice is that hardworking Igbo people, who prosper all over the world, should not flaunt their wealth or intimidate those around them. To prevent hostility, the Jews decided not to flaunt their wealth, and that is something our people should adopt.”
He urged Ndigbo to remain resilient in the face of persecution and avoid excessive lamentation.
“If you agonize too much, your persecutors will intensify their aggression. But if you block it off and behave as if nothing is happening, you will multiply your prosperity and advance humanity.”
