MODERN INDUSTRIALIZATION OF IGBO LAND, ROLES OF TOWN UNIONS AND HOST COMMUNITIES
MODERN INDUSTRIALIZATION OF IGBO LAND, ROLES OF TOWN UNIONS AND HOST COMMUNITIES
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MODERN INDUSTRIALIZATION OF IGBO LAND, ROLES OF TOWN UNIONS AND HOST COMMUNITIES
By Prince Erondu Uche (Lagos)
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There has been several calls from stakeholders, telling Igbos to invest in their region. This advice may not be unconnected to lost of goods and properties encountered by Igbos living in other parts of Nigeria, especially during general elections, crisis and demonstrations.
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Igbos at different occasions have received eviction notices from Northern and Western Nigeria respectively. Although the governments of these regions and some stakeholders had distanced themselves from such ugly developments, the fact remains that Nigeria as an entity is unfair to Ndi-Igbo, hence the need to think home.
Some argue that since Igbos are good at developing and adding value to foreign environments, despite hostility and hash economic policies, that such energies, if channelled towards the industrialization of Igbo land would make the region the fastest growing economy in the world.
Before colonialism, Igbos used indigenous technology for agriculture,
industry and production of domestic items. They produced aluminum metals, bronze, leather and textile. They also produced palm oil, cloth from cotton, drugs from herbs and pots from clay.
The technological ingenuity of Ndi-Igbo manifested clearly during Nigerian/Biafran civil war. During the war, they made scientific discoveries which brought about the production of sophisticated military equipment, exploitation of crude oil, building of functional refineries and construction of air ports, amongst others.
Eastern Nigeria had the fastest growing economy in the world between 1954 and 1964, growing faster than China, Singapore, and the "Asian Tigers".
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In the contemporary industrial age, despite Nigeria's neglect and intentional abandonment of inventions and discoveries made by Igbos, they stand out in Africa. They produce different automobiles, automobile spare parts, electric cables, building materials, household appliances and lots more. In 2024, Professor Bath Nnaji, an Igbo man launched the first independent geometric power plant in Aba, Abia state. "Aba made" goods have become a common name to describe fabricated products or goods not imported into Nigeria.
After the discovery that Nigeria intentionally neglected the talents from Igbo tribe, which is to her detriment, stakeholders have advocated for total industrialization of the region through individual contributions.
Chief Emeka Diwe, the President General of Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU), over time had emphasized the need for an industrialized Igbo land. According to him, 'Aku ruo ulo' and 'Oku ruo ulo' mean different things. While Aku (riches) is more of harvest, reward of hard work and evidence of good living, Oku (trade and handwork) are investments. Oku (investment) is more important because it creates riches and wealth. What Ndi-Igbo needs now is 'Oku ruo ulo'. If all Igbo Manufacturers, Entrepreneurs, Importers, Exporters and all others
invest in Igbo land, the region would be able to compete favorably with Japan and China scientifically, technologically and economically.
The digital age industrialization of Igbo land through individualistic efforts has begun. Those who have what it takes to invest, should make hay while the sun shines, because the industrial revolution is ongoing, and soon it will become a dream come true. Town Unions and host communities are to ensure provision of lands and conducive environment for investments to thrive in the region. This is the era of job creation, empowerment, increase in standard of living and reduction of insecurity in Ala Igbo.
Welcome to Igbo land, the land of the rising sun, the region described by former Nigerian President, Major General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) as the 'DOT NATION'. A place where oppression becomes motivation, where creativity thrives and where all things are possible.
Written by
Prince Erondu Uche.
November 12, 2024.
princeeronduuche@gmail.com
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