IS ALEX OTTI READY TO REPLICATE DR. M.I. OKPARA’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN OLD EASTERN NIGERIA?

Opinion
By Nkem Ossai

An Igbo child does not go to the forest to fetch firewood and come back empty to tell the tale that there is no firewood. You will be asked to remain in the forest until you find firewood. That is why when an Igbo man sojourns to a distant land, he works hard to succeed so that on return, his kinsmen will appreciate him.

In Igbo land, failure is truly seen as an orphan. In other words, no one is ready to listen to your tales of failure but everybody will listen to your tales of success. This is the philosophy that drives the spirit of Igbo man. This is also the philosophy that is responsible for his success. Ndigbo may not have the Dangotes’ of this world but everyone can feed his family.

So, in the face of Nigeria’s unconscionable rejection of Ndigbo which has led to a sense of powerlessness among the population, Governor Alex Otti’s attempt to place Igbo land on the map of the industrialized nations is seen as the arrival of a modern day Moses. This is because the previous administrations in South East only paid lip service to the real issue of industrialization of Igbo land.

We, as Igbos have suffered so much in the hands of Nigeria. So, when we look at the kind of foundation Governor Otti is laying for the future prosperity of the people of the South East, we feel a throne of hope.

For instance it is difficult to forget that in 1970, Nigeria unleashed what I prefer to call stomach anarchy against the Igbo population just coming out of a war of attrition that sort to annihilate the race. We no that apart from declaring Igbo properties as abandoned in Rivers State, their money saved in different banks were also ceased by a man that has now turned himself into a praying mantis, yet unrepentant. In fact, Igbos were left with a choice to collect £20 (pounds) or nothing even if they had billions in the banks. Don’t forget that before the hostilities, Igbos were, the richest tribe in West Africa. In fact, Nigerian government, on several occasions, borrowed money from the first millionaire in Africa, Sir, Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu. It will be our duty to make this sordid past, our refrain, so long Nigerian nation refused to apologise to the Igbos or pay compensation.

Despite all these injustices, the Igbos still believed that there is need to let go the past and start all over again.

However, the 2023 election and its consequent targeted attacks on Igbos and of course the eventual organized rigging of the election became a reminder that the 1967 war is yet to end. In fact, the Igbo saw the role played by INEC and the judiciary as a direct threat to their existence. It became the straw that broke the carmel’s back.

But throughout history, God has never forgotten to send a ‘Moses’ for a people whose existence was threatened. Governor Alex Otti, is that Moses. Using the instrument of the Labour Party, Dr. Otti is out to prove to Nigerians that they never made any mistake when they voted Labour Party as their party of choice to power, eventhough the forces of underdevelopment thwarted that choice.

Last week, we rejoiced as Alex Otti, commissioned Aba Geometric Power Station which is said to be capable of providing the commercial city of Aba uninterrupted electricity, twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week with the capacity for extension to eight other local governments in the state.

However, it appears Governor Otti is not yet done with his surprises that has earned him the nickname of ‘electric man’, less than one year in office. In fact, he is set to open up Igbo land deliberately abandoned since 54 years ago by the Federal Government of Nigeria. No wonder, Rudyard Kipling noted that if you can keep your head while others are loosing theirs, then you are a man. Alex Otti has kept his head while thousands have lost theirs.

Report reaching our office indicates that a Refinery, a Petrochemical at Ukwa East and a Deep Sea Port at Owaza, Ukwa West LGA, including an Innovation/Incubation Park, the largest industrial Park in Nigeria, will be ready in 24 months. The report also indicates that work has commenced on the Deep Sea Port which will be dredged 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean. Discussion is also ongoing between Dr. Otti and other South Eastern governors on the construction of modern railway that will be routed between Enugu Umuahia, Aba and Port Harcourt. Just imagine the value chains of all these positive developments in less than ten months of assuming office.

With this developments, it is time to realize and also let our people know that we as Igbos, have no future any other place other than in the land of the rising sun.

Governor Alex Otti, has just lit the candle. It is our duty, our responsibility to make sure the flame continues in earnest.